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SpaceX Falcon 9 launch atmospheric visual phenomenon

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2026-10-17 18:42 UTC → 2026-10-21 22:16 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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