On a night marked by the darkness that enveloped much of Cuba due to widespread blackouts, an unexpected flash of light crossed the sky, becoming visible and capturing the attention of thousands of people.
The protagonist of this phenomenon was the Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX, launched from Florida as part of the Bandwagon-3 mission, which aims to place several satellites from different providers into orbit.
"The weather conditions have been favorable for observation, due to the low cloud cover over the Cuban archipelago at that time, which allowed several internet users to report having seen the rocket from various regions of Cuba," wrote meteorologist Henry Delgado Manzor on Facebook.
"Without a doubt, it was a truly impressive show for space enthusiasts and the aerospace industry," he added.
The launch took place at 8:48 p.m. this Monday from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida.
This was the third launch of a Falcon 9 in less than 48 hours, marking a period of significant activity for the aerospace company led by Elon Musk.
The event was visible from various regions of the Caribbean and, notably, from multiple locations in Cuba, from Pinar del Río to Guantánamo.
Another expert, meteorologist Ariel Maturell, explained that missions like Bandwagon-3 are part of SpaceX's Smallsat Rideshare program.
In his words: “In this type of mission, the company SpaceX puts several satellites from different providers into orbit, similarly to the Transporter missions. Both the Transporter and the Bandwagon... are part of the company's shared flight program.”
The Bandwagon-3 mission
Bandwagon-3 represents the continuation of a series of launches within SpaceX's shared flight program. The mission follows Bandwagon-1, carried out on April 7, 2024, and Bandwagon-2, executed on December 21 of the same year.
In each one, multiple small satellites are placed in low Earth orbit, allowing several customers to share the ride in a single launch, thus reducing costs and facilitating access to space.
Unlike the failed launches of the Starship rockets in January and March, which exploded shortly after taking off from Boca Chica, Texas, the Falcon 9 successfully completed its trajectory without any issues, creating a visual impact that was hard to miss on a dark night on the island.
Frequently asked questions about the Falcon 9 rocket launch and its visibility in Cuba
Why was the Falcon 9 rocket visible in Cuba?
The Falcon 9 rocket was visible in Cuba due to favorable weather conditions, with little cloud cover, allowing the flash from the launch to be seen in various regions of the island. This phenomenon is attributed to the altitude the rocket reaches and the combustion of its engines, which reflect sunlight.
What is SpaceX's Bandwagon-3 mission?
The Bandwagon-3 mission is part of SpaceX's rideshare program, where multiple satellites from different providers are launched on a single Falcon 9 rocket. This type of mission reduces costs and makes space access easier for multiple clients.
How does the Starlink program impact Cuba?
The Starlink program offers an alternative for connecting to the internet without relying on ETECSA, using low orbit satellites that enhance connection speed and stability. However, the Cuban regime has shown resistance to this technology, restricting its entry and use on the island.
What are the differences between the Falcon 9 and Starship launches?
The Falcon 9 is a proven, reusable rocket for launching satellites and cargo missions, while the Starship is a developing system for more ambitious missions, such as the journey to Mars. Starship launches have encountered failures, such as explosions during recent tests, unlike the successful launches of the Falcon 9.
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