# SpaceX Falcon 9 launch atmospheric visual phenomenon

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spacex-falcon-9-launch-atmospheric-visual-phenomenon
> Updated: 2026-10-20T14:04:54.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

In mid-October 2026, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, produced a luminous atmospheric phenomenon frequently described as a ‘space jellyfish’. The visual effect occurred during the CRS-35 mission, an unmanned resupply flight to the International Space Station (ISS) carrying approximately 2,860 kilograms of supplies and equipment.

The phenomenon was caused by rocket exhaust gases and water vapor expanding and crystallizing into ice particles in the upper atmosphere. Because the launch took place near sunrise, sunlight illuminated these high-altitude particles while the ground remained dark, creating glowing structures of orange and blue hues. The display was visible across the southeastern United States and the mid-Atlantic coast, including states such as Georgia and New York.

NASA shared images of the event on social media, noting that such displays are possible when launches occur near sunrise or sunset. The mission, which launched at 6:33 a.m. EDT on October 13, 2026, utilized a Dragon spacecraft to deliver critical cargo to the ISS. This included the final set of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) and various medical experiments focused on vision restoration, drug testing, and brain disease treatments.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: SpaceX launches Falcon 9 resupply mission to the ISS

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida to resupply the International Space Station with supplies and medical research experiments, creating a jellyfish-shaped exhaust glow in the morning sky.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spacex-launches-falcon-9-resupply-mission-to-the-iss

### 2026-10-17: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch creates jellyfish-shaped light phenomenon

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Florida created a glowing, jellyfish-shaped light phenomenon in the sky due to sunlight reflecting off rocket exhaust and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spacex-falcon-9-launch-creates-jellyfish-shaped-light-phenomenon

### 2026-10-15: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch creates ‘space jellyfish’ visual over US

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Florida created a ‘space jellyfish’ visual effect over the southeastern US, caused by expanding gases illuminated by the sun during an ISS resupply mission.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spacex-falcon-9-launch-creates-space-jellyfish-visual-over-us

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Cite as: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch atmospheric visual phenomenon. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spacex-falcon-9-launch-atmospheric-visual-phenomenon