SpaceX launch produces jellyfish-like glow before cargo reaches space station

A SpaceX rocket launched from Florida on Oct. 13 produced a jellyfish-like glow visible along the U.S. East Coast as it sent supplies towards the International Space Station, according to Space.com. The Guardian described the glowing cloud as rocket exhaust illuminated by the sun.¹²

Sunlight on the exhaust

The illuminated plume accompanied the ascent of a Falcon 9 carrying Cargo Dragon on NASA’s CRS-35 mission, Space.com reported. The outlet said millions of people along the East Coast saw the display. The Guardian’s account focused on the cloud’s appearance and the sunlight that made the exhaust glow.¹²

According to Space.com, the rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:35 a.m. EDT on Oct. 13. It deployed Dragon into low Earth orbit 10 minutes later, putting the spacecraft on a course to reach the station after a 51-hour pursuit.²

Arrival above South Africa

Dragon docked on Oct. 15 at 10:27 a.m. EDT, while the station was roughly 250 miles above South Africa, Space.com reported. The spacecraft connected to the space-facing port of the Harmony module, completing the journey that began with the launch visible from the U.S. coast.²

NASA astronaut Anil Menon monitored Dragon’s approach and its autonomous procedures as the station’s prime crew member, according to Space.com. The outlet reported that Menon was also celebrating his 50th birthday on the day the cargo spacecraft arrived.²

Food, research and station equipment

According to Space.com, the spacecraft delivered a cargo load exceeding 6,300 pounds (2,860 kilograms), including provisions, scientific gear and additional materials. The food included both fresh items and provisions for longer-term use. The outlet identified CRS-35 as the 35th Commercial Resupply Services mission.²

Space.com also reported the delivery of the final panel in a set of eight upgraded solar panels intended to add to the station’s power capabilities. Other cargo included equipment to replace components on the Canadarm2 robotic arm, along with a toilet dose pump and a toilet pretreat quality sensor.²

The supplies will mainly serve the station’s newest residents, the Crew-13 astronauts, according to Space.com. Its account said the four-person crew arrived on Oct. 1 to relieve Crew-12, whose members returned to Earth a week later. Dragon is expected to stay docked for about a month before returning to Earth, the outlet reported.²