SpaceX cargo launch creates ‘space jellyfish’ across East Coast skies
publishers 19articles 21first reported 13 Oct, 10:01 UTCdeveloping since 13 Oct · 12 editions
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch created a glowing “space jellyfish” visible across parts of the U.S. East Coast early Tuesday.
The rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:35 a.m. EDT, carrying a cargo Dragon spacecraft on SpaceX’s CRS-35 resupply mission for NASA. Reports and photographs of the display came from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina as the rocket followed a northward trajectory matching the International Space Station’s orbit.
The effect occurred as the Falcon 9’s exhaust plume expanded in the thinner upper atmosphere and was illuminated by light from the approaching sunrise. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center said such illuminated plumes can form a glowing shape resembling a jellyfish during launches near dawn or dusk.
Stage separation took place about 2.5 minutes after liftoff. The first-stage booster began its return toward Cape Canaveral while the second stage continued into orbit carrying Dragon. The spacecraft was loaded with about 6,300 pounds (2,860 kilograms) of cargo for the International Space Station, including new solar arrays, according to Spaceflight Now’s launch coverage. Dragon was expected to spend roughly two days catching up with the station.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 1 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 18 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 19
- Source articles
- 21
- Given to the writer
- 8, 1 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 18 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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