On Monday, June 16, 2025, a breathtaking jellyfish-like phenomenon was observed in the California sky, captivating onlookers throughout the state. This mesmerizing display was caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch originating from Vandenberg Space Force Station.
The launch took place shortly after sunset, resulting in a visible cloud of condensed water vapor, brilliantly illuminated by the sun. This 'jellyfish effect' is a frequent occurrence during rocket launches, especially those conducted by SpaceX. The mission, identified as Starlink 15-9, successfully deployed a new group of Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
SpaceX has already accomplished numerous launches in 2025. This particular mission marked the 200th launch from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4 East. The sight was a testament to the ongoing advancements in space exploration.