SpaceX Launch Creates Stunning ‘Space Jellyfish’ Over Florida
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – Residents along Florida’s Space Coast witnessed a rare and beautiful sight early Wednesday morning as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch created a glowing, jellyfish-shaped cloud in the sky. The spectacle occurred shortly after the 5:52 a.m. Eastern Time liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
Photographers and onlookers captured vivid images of the exhaust plume, which glowed pink, blue, and white against the pre-dawn sky. Social media quickly lit up with comparisons ranging from sea creatures to alien spacecraft, with many initially unsure of what they were witnessing.
The unusual effect is caused by sunlight hitting the rocket’s exhaust plume while the ground remains in darkness. As the rocket ascends rapidly into the upper atmosphere, the exhaust gases expand and spread, creating a cloud-like formation. When illuminated by the sun at the right angle, this can result in spectacular shapes, including the recent jellyfish-like display. Experts note that while unusual, this phenomenon has been observed during previous early morning or twilight launches.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the mission marked a significant milestone for SpaceX. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster completed its 25th flight, demonstrating the company’s commitment to reusability – a strategy once considered improbable. Approximately eight minutes after launch, the booster successfully landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas.”
The 29 Starlink satellites deployed will join thousands already in orbit, contributing to SpaceX’s growing network aimed at providing high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas globally. SpaceX continues to launch satellites at a rapid pace, sometimes multiple times per week.
The increasing frequency of launches is becoming commonplace along Florida’s Space Coast, with local photographers often waking before dawn to capture these events. The launch schedule for the Space Coast remains active, with further missions planned in the coming weeks.