SpaceX rocket launch creates incredible 'space jellyfish' visible throughout US East Coast (photos)
A SpaceX rocket launch created a glowing, jellyfish-like visual phenomenon visible to millions of early morning observers across the United States East Coast. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Tuesday at 6:35 a.m.
A SpaceX rocket launch created a glowing, jellyfish-like visual phenomenon visible to millions of early morning observers across the United States East Coast. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Tuesday at 6:35 a.m. EDT from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It carried a cargo version of the Dragon spacecraft on the CRS-35 commercial resupply mission for NASA.
As the rocket climbed along the East Coast, its expanding engine plume widened in thinner air and caught the early dawn light. According to NASA, this lighting creates a glowing shape that resembles a jellyfish during dawn and dusk launches. Observers across multiple states shared photos and reactions of the flight.
Richard Mack Wilson-Leigh watched the rocket from Durham, North Carolina, noting that stage separation occurred about 2.5 minutes after liftoff. The booster performed an engine burn to head back toward a landing site, while the second stage continued toward orbit. The Dragon capsule is carrying about 6,300 pounds of cargo and scientific investigations for the International Space Station.
The spacecraft is scheduled to dock autonomously with the station's Harmony module on Thursday morning.
The story so far
Earlier coverage connected by shared names and topics. Follow the dates to see how coverage developed; these links do not imply every article describes the same event.
NASA SpaceX Crew-13 Successfully Launches on Falcon 9 Rocket to International Space StationA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launched NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. The launch took place…
Connected by: Cape Canaveral Space ForceEARLIER COVERAGE- Rocket Report: SpaceX completes launch triple-header; Rocket Lab nets big contract
SpaceX recently completed three rocket launches in under 13 hours. The company launched a four-person crew on a Falcon 9 rocket toward…
Connected by: StationEARLIER COVERAGE - SpaceX launches 21 military data transport satellites for the U.S. Space Force from California.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 data transport satellites for the U.S. Space Force from California on October 10. The…
Connected by: SpaceXEARLIER COVERAGE - NASA Prepares SpaceX CRS-35 Mission to Launch Human Health and Plant Experiments to Space Station
NASA is preparing to send human health, plant, and bacterial experiments to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 35th commercial resupply mission…
Connected by: StationEARLIER COVERAGE - NOWSpaceX rocket launch creates incredible 'space jellyfish' visible throughout US East Coast (photos)CURRENT UPDATE
Original publication: 13 October 2026 22:32
