Photos: Falcon takes flight

The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base included 13 Starlink satellites that include Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from pad 4E happened at 9:53 p.m. PST (12:53 a.m. EST, 0553 UTC).

Launching the Wideband Global SATCOM 9 satellite purchased by allied nations in collaboration with the U.S. military’s worldwide communications network, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket thundered away from Cape Canaveral at 8:18 p.m. EDT (0018 GMT).

SpaceX had to swap out the first stage booster used during the previous attempt and replace it with another for this mission. Liftoff from pad 40 happened at 12 a.m. EST (0500 UTC) on Sunday, Dec. 29.