Starlink Group 11-10 Launch from Vandenberg: February 10, 2025

On February 10th, 2025, I had the thrilling opportunity to witness and photograph the Starlink Group 11-10 launch from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission carried a batch of 23 satellites into Low Earth Orbit—another milestone in SpaceX’s ever-growing “mega-constellation,” which aims to provide global, space-based internet service.

Mission Details

• Mission: Starlink Group 11-10
• Type: Communications
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
• Launch Cost: $52,000,000
• Launch Time: February 10, 2025, at 6:09 PM PST (February 11, 2025, at 3:09 AM CET)
• Learn more about the Starlink mission

Starlink rocket ascending through the night sky, with Venus visible at the bottom.

From Goleta, located roughly 90 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Vandenberg, the view was spectacular. In the first photo, you’ll notice the dramatic fiery exhaust trail cutting across the night sky. That small glowing point beneath the path of the rocket is Venus—providing a nice visual reference for just how bright this launch was.

Location

• Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  Find the best place to watch the launch from Vandenberg

Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed 181 rockets lift off—every one of those an orbital launch attempt. Meanwhile, Vandenberg Space Force Base itself (established in 1941) has hosted 793 rocket launches. Originally built for military and missile testing, Vandenberg also supports civil and commercial space endeavors, including those by NASA and SpaceX. The base is operated by the United States Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30, which manages the Western Range for space launches.

Closer look at the rocket exhaust plume and nose cone, highlighting the intense heat and glow.

In the second image, you can see the glowing rocket plume and the brightly lit nose cone with more detail. The exhaust’s shape and texture reveal the incredible energy at work, propelling the satellite payloads into orbit.

Watch a Launch Yourself

If you ever get a chance to be near Vandenberg or any other spaceport during a scheduled liftoff, be sure to check local viewing locations. There’s nothing quite like witnessing a rocket pierce the sky in real time.