SpaceX launch creates predawn 'jellyfish' spectacle over Cape Canaveral

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's exhaust plume formed a glowing 'jellyfish' shape in the predawn sky over Cape Canaveral on March 4, 2026, as the Starlink 10-40 mission lifted off at 5:52 a.m.

Photographers on the Space Coast captured a striking visual phenomenon minutes after SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on March 4. The exhaust plume from the rocket's first stage created a luminous, expanding cloud that resembled a 'jellyfish' against the darkening sky. The Starlink 10-40 mission marked SpaceX's latest launch from Launch Complex 40, with the rocket carrying 52 satellites to low Earth orbit. The event occurred during a rare predawn window, with the plume's colors visible to observers across Brevard County.

The Falcon 9's first stage separated 2 minutes and 47 seconds after liftoff, beginning its descent back to Earth. The second stage continued to orbit, deploying the Starlink satellites over the next 12 minutes. SpaceX's next scheduled launch is set for an overnight window starting Monday, March 9, targeting the EchoStar XXV satellite for geosynchronous orbit. The mission will attempt liftoff between 11:14 p.m. and 1:43 a.m. from the same launch complex.

Local astronomers and skywatchers described the 'jellyfish' effect as a result of the rocket's exhaust interacting with atmospheric conditions. The plume's glow was visible for several minutes before dissipating, with some observers noting a faint pinkish hue. No sonic booms were reported during the launch, which followed a routine pre-flight checklist. The Starlink 10-40 mission is part of SpaceX's ongoing effort to expand global broadband coverage, with the satellites expected to begin transmitting data within weeks.

SpaceX has conducted over 100 Starlink launches since 2020, with the majority originating from Cape Canaveral. The company's rapid deployment of satellites has drawn both praise and scrutiny, particularly regarding orbital debris concerns. The upcoming EchoStar XXV mission will be the first to use SpaceX's new Starlink satellite design, which incorporates enhanced laser communication technology. Launch details for the mission, including trajectory and payload specifics, remain tentative as of press time.