Predawn Falcon 9 launch Tuesday could paint a 'space jellyfish' over Central Florida

A Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral early Tuesday could be visible from Seminole County, and if conditions line up, it may leave a glowing plume in the predawn sky.

SpaceX is aiming for a one-hour launch window opening at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, for its Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission, WKMG News 6 reported. The flight had been set for Monday morning but was called off because weather in the booster recovery area was not favorable, according to the station. If Tuesday does not work out, a backup try is available Wednesday.

Why the sky could glow

Launches shortly before sunrise sometimes produce what skywatchers call a "space jellyfish." It happens when the ground is still dark but sunlight is already reaching the upper atmosphere. Exhaust from the climbing rocket spreads out at high altitude and catches that light, forming a bright, rounded cloud trailed by thin streaks.

A similar display was seen over Central Florida about a week ago, the station noted.

Whether one appears depends on the exact launch time and on cloud cover, so there is no guarantee.

About the mission

Bandwagon-5 carries a group of small satellites along with re-entry vehicles meant to return payloads to Earth, according to WKMG. The first-stage booster is flying for the 19th time and is expected to land on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean after separating from the upper stage.

Residents hoping to see the launch can look east toward the coast shortly after the window opens. Launch times can shift or scrub on short notice, so checking SpaceX's launch page before heading outside is a good idea.

Sources: WKMG News 6 (ClickOrlando), "SpaceX launch could create 'space jellyfish' over Central Florida skies," Oct. 19, 2026.

Sources

clickorlando.com