Space jellyfish makes tiny encore as weather clears for SpaceX launch
Orlando Sentinel • • general
Key Points:
- SpaceX conducted a predawn Falcon 9 launch Tuesday from Cape Canaveral carrying 32 payloads on the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission, producing a brief "space jellyfish" effect visible shortly after liftoff.
- The rocket's first-stage booster completed its 19th flight and successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Among the payloads was SpaceX’s Starfall system, designed for short-term microgravity experiments, along with various communication and navigation satellites.
- This launch marked the 60th from Florida’s Space Coast in 2026, with SpaceX responsible for the majority, though the company has reduced its launch cadence recently to focus on Starship and Super Heavy development.
- Other providers like United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin are working through technical challenges and pad repairs, delaying their return to flight, with ULA aiming for a Vulcan or Atlas V launch later this year and Blue Origin rebuilding Launch Complex 36 after a May explosion.
