(This story was updated with new information: A time for next rocket launch attempt and video of the fireball were added.)
For people who live on the Space Coast of Florida, it’s not uncommon to see a rocket launch in the sky.
But a possible fireball or wayward object? That’s not as common.
Coincidentally, on Saturday, Nov. 8, during a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch attempt from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, something was spotted in the sky. Social media users posted photos and video online.
Just before 6:20 a.m., FLORIDA TODAY Executive Editor Mara Bellaby spotted a possible satellite breaking apart and streaking across the sky while she was out for a morning jog on Merritt Island.
Merritt Island is part of Brevard County, an hour east of the Orlando theme parks.
Bellaby recently wrote about rising launch rates in her Week in Review column for FLORIDA TODAY.
Spaceflight Now posted video of the phenomenon: “While waiting for the Starlink 10-51 launch our cameras at the Kennedy Space Center captured what appears to be a satellite reentry in the dawn sky. (camera emoji) @johnpisaniphoto”
Chatter in the post noted the possible satellite reentry was “streaking from north to south about 6:18 a.m. ET” and it was “bright and chunky.”
One post on social media site X, which is owned by billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk, suggested the fireball was “almost certainly reentry of a Chinese upper stage rocket,” according to user @jconcilus, whose bio states he is a marine traffic operator and NASA Spaceflight (NSF) camera custodian.
Photos of fireball, satellite reentry over Merritt Island, Florida, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
Fireball spotted over Merritt Island, Florida, on Saturday, Nov. 8, was not a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
The fireball sighting over Merritt Island, Florida, which is near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was not a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX had attempted to launch the rocket on another Starlink mission at 7:10 a.m., but crews scrubbed the attempt because of poor weather downrange.
The space agency will try again between 3:10 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. This week alone has seen a few rocket launch attempts, scrubs and launches − including a nighttime liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 on Nov. 5, 2025, from Cape Canaveral.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Fireball spotted in sky near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as SpaceX attempts rocket launch
Reporting by Jennifer Sangalang and Rick Neale, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
