SpaceX Starlink 4-15 Launch, May 14, 2022

On Saturday, May 14 at 4:40 p.m. ET, SpaceX launched Starlink satellites to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Falcon 9 lifts off from SLC-40 on May 14, 2022. The rocket seems a bit out of focus thanks to the warm air creating “heat shimmer” — turbulent air caused by the difference in temperature by the colder water and warmer sunlit air above causes a lot of distortion.

Click for three more photos…

Falcon 9 piercing the humid air carrying another group of Starlink satellites to orbit on May 14, 2022. This photo was made 20-30 seconds after liftoff.
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A longer view of Falcon 9 climbing towards orbit. Shortly after it reaches Max Q — the peak of aerodynamic loading on the vehicle — a contrail starts to form behind the rocket plume. This is a consistent effect seen with liquid rockets that have no solid fuel strap on boosters. (They have visible exhaust from ignition to burnout.)

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SpaceX Starlink Launch, May 14, 2022, as seen in monochrome through a deep red filter.
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Charles Boyer

I'm a NASA kid originally from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo. My family worked for NASA and/or their contractors, and I watched it all as a kid. And what kid doesn't like rockets? Currently, I am an IT engineer, a recovered R&D scientist that spent time in laser metrology, fiber optic applications and also lightning protection. I'm also a photographer, a writer and a bad musician. My favorite things are space, boating, sports, music and traveling. You can find me on Twitter as @TheOldManPar.

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