Falcon 9 Exhaust Creates Jellyfish Effect Over Florida Sky
Sunlight illuminated the exhaust plumes of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during a predawn NASA cargo launch, producing a striking visual.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the company's Dragon spacecraft on NASA's CRS-35 mission early Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, from Cocoa Beach, Florida. The predawn launch produced exhaust plumes that were illuminated by sunlight against the dark sky, creating a shape described as a jellyfish in the sky.
The phenomenon occurred as the rocket ascended before sunrise, with the sun's rays catching the expanding gases at high altitude. The resulting glow and form were visible from the Cocoa Beach area, where the launch was witnessed.
This was a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. The Dragon spacecraft carried supplies and experiments for the station crew.
The jellyfish-like appearance is a known atmospheric effect that can happen when rocket exhaust is backlit by the sun just before dawn or after dusk.
Source: NASA