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SpaceX rocket launch creates incredible 'space jellyfish' visible throughout US East Coast (photos)
Space • • science
Key Points:
- SpaceX launched the CRS-35 mission for NASA on Oct. 13, with a Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral carrying a Dragon spacecraft loaded with 6,300 pounds of cargo for the International Space Station (ISS).
- The rocket's trajectory along the U.S. East Coast during early dawn created a visible "space jellyfish" effect, an illuminated exhaust plume phenomenon seen near sunrise or sunset.
- Witnesses from Georgia and North Carolina described the launch as a stunning and unexpected sight, especially the stage separation and booster landing burn shortly after liftoff.
- After stage separation about 2.5 minutes post-launch, the Falcon 9 booster returned to Cape Canaveral while the second stage continued to orbit with the Dragon spacecraft.
- The Dragon is expected to autonomously dock with the ISS on Oct. 15, delivering cargo to the station shortly after a recent crew rotation involving SpaceX's Crew-12 and Crew-13 missions.
