SpaceX’s Latest Launch Creates Stunning Visual Phenomenon

SpaceX conducted a successful cargo mission to the International Space Station early Tuesday, creating a captivating visual spectacle in the skies over Central Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket, part of the CRS-35 mission, was topped with a crew Dragon spacecraft and launched at 6:33 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40.

The rocket’s plume, illuminated by the rising sun, formed a changing bluish-orange cloud. This phenomenon, known as the space jellyfish effect, was created as the first and upper stages of the rocket separated, producing clouds that resembled a jellyfish due to the lingering noctilucent clouds.

The clear skies allowed observers from various locations, including Orlando, South Florida, Tampa, and even Washington, D.C., to witness the event. Social media was flooded with images depicting the spectacle. Local photographer John Kraus from Satellite Beach shared his high-quality photograph, noting its beauty and visibility across a large portion of the eastern United States.

Al Mooney Cooper captured an image of the effect from an airplane window, sharing it with WESH-2 News meteorologist Eric Burress, who expressed amazement at the sight.

“Stunning ‘jellyfish’ effect as a Falcon 9 rocket launched cargo toward the International Space Station this morning. This was up there among the most stunning I’ve ever seen and was visible across much of the eastern U.S.,” stated John Kraus.

About eight minutes after the rocket’s launch, the first-stage booster successfully landed near the launch pad at Landing Zone 40. Previously, SpaceX had communicated to residents of surrounding counties that the return of the booster might cause sonic booms, depending on weather and other conditions.

This mission marked the 35th resupply operation for SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, delivering approximately 6,300 pounds of supplies and scientific experiments to the station.

In 2026, this launch was the 59th from the Space Coast, with all but seven conducted by SpaceX. The cargo Dragon spacecraft was making its fourth journey to space and was set to dock with the station on Thursday at 11 a.m. after a planned 52-hour flight.

The timing of this mission coincided with a newly available docking spot at the station, following Crew-12’s departure. The remaining port is occupied by the Crew Dragon Grace, which transported Crew-13, including Central Florida and NASA astronaut Luke Delaney, earlier in the month.