SpaceX rocket creates 'jellyfish' above Florida's Space Coast. See photos.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 21 at 6:04 a.m., producing a visually striking 'jellyfish' effect in the sky as illuminated exhaust plumes formed during ascent. The launch, occurring 24 minutes before sunrise, marked the Starlink 10-31 mission, which successfully deployed 29 broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent created a rare and photogenic display, with the illuminated gases resembling a jellyfish shape above Florida’s Space Coast. This phenomenon is caused by the interaction of exhaust plumes with atmospheric conditions during early morning launches. SpaceX has another Starlink mission planned for Memorial Day morning, May 25, with a four-hour launch window from 7:41 a.m. to 11:41 a.m. The launch will also take place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, continuing the rapid deployment of satellites for the Starlink constellation. Live coverage of the May 25 launch will begin approximately 90 minutes before liftoff, available through FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team updates. Additional launch schedules and news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center can be tracked at floridatoday.com/space. The May 21 launch was confirmed by Rick Neale, a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, who has covered space news since 2004. Further updates and launch details will be provided through the publication’s dedicated space newsletter.