NASA Releases Photos of SpaceX Falcon 9 'Space Jellyfish' Over Cape Canaveral
On Tuesday, NASA shared images of a "space jellyfish" phenomenon observed above Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, captured by photographers from NASA and SpaceX. This unusual shape resulted from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during its 35th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA, which lifted off at 6:33 A.M. The sunlight illuminated the rocket's exhaust plume, making it visible from Georgia to New York, with photographer Gary Hershorn capturing it over Manhattan. NASA mentioned that similar effects can also occur at sunset. The Dragon spacecraft is set to transport approximately 6,300 pounds of supplies to the ISS, and the first-stage booster successfully landed at Landing Zone 40. Another launch is planned for October 19 at 6:30 A.M.
Key facts
- NASA released photos of a "space jellyfish" over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida
- The phenomenon was created by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launching on the company's 35th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station for NASA
- The rocket launched at 6:33 A.M. and its exhaust plume was illuminated by sunlight against the predawn sky
- The northeasterly launch direction made the spectacle visible from Georgia and New York
- Photographer Gary Hershorn captured the same rocket over the Manhattan skyline
- The Dragon spacecraft will deliver about 6,300 pounds of science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station
- The first-stage booster touched back down at Landing Zone 40 after launch
- Another SpaceX Falcon 9 launch is scheduled for the same time and location on Monday, October 19, at 6:30 A.M.
Entities
Artists
- Gary Hershorn
- Samil Cabrera
Institutions
- NASA
- SpaceX
- International Space Station
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Florida
- United States
- Georgia
- New York
- Manhattan
- Landing Zone 40
- Earth