SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Creates Space Jellyfish Over Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 32 payloads reached orbit after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday morning. The Bandwagon-5 mission lifted off at 7:04 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 40, creating a glowing formation known as a space jellyfish that was visible over Central Florida.

According to WESH, the unusual display formed when sunlight illuminated the rocket's exhaust plume at high altitude while the ground below remained dark. The contrast produced a bright, spreading shape resembling a jellyfish in the sky.

The mission carried 32 payloads, including CubeSats, microsatellites and reentry vehicles. These payloads were deployed as part of the mission to transport multiple spacecraft and other equipment into orbit.

The space jellyfish effect can occur when rockets launch near sunrise or sunset. At these times, sunlight can reach the exhaust plume high above Earth even when areas on the ground remain in darkness, making the plume visible as a luminous formation.

WESH reported that the Falcon 9's first-stage booster was expected to attempt a landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean after separating from the rocket. The planned recovery was part of the mission's post-launch operations.