A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 4, 2026, after a delay pushed the launch from 5:53 a.m. to 6:26 a.m. The pre-dawn mission, which carried 29 Broadband satellites, was photographed by FLORIDA TODAY senior photographer Malcolm Denemark as it pierced dark clouds shortly after sunrise. The image, now featured as Photo of the Week, shows the rocket ascending from Launch Complex 40, its path framed by lingering nighttime shadows.
Denemark said the original 5:53 a.m. window would have created a rare "jellyfish launch" effect, where sunlight reflects off the atmosphere while the ground remains dark. The delay shifted the timing to just after sunrise, but the clouds still provided dramatic contrast. "Still a beautiful time for a launch," he said, describing the rocket’s ascent as it headed northeast over Brevard County.
The photographer noted that the delay allowed for unique lighting conditions. "If it had gone as scheduled, the ground would have been dark, but the atmosphere would have had some light," he explained. "Instead, the clouds framed the rocket in a way that made the photo stand out." The image highlights the interplay between the rocket’s glow and the lingering night sky, a rare visual occurrence during launches.
The mission marked SpaceX’s latest effort to expand its Starlink constellation, with the 29 satellites destined for low-Earth orbit. The launch complex, managed by the U.S. Space Force, has hosted over 100 missions since its activation in 2017. Denemark’s photo, taken from a vantage point near the Space Force Station, captures the rocket’s trajectory as it disappears into the clouds.
For many on the Space Coast, the launch was a reminder of the region’s role in space exploration. "It’s not every day you see a rocket go through dark clouds like that," Denemark said. "The timing worked out for a great shot, but it’s also a testament to how often these launches happen here."