Bright fireball seen over Merritt Island as SpaceX prepares Starlink launch
Just before 6:20 a.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 8, residents of Florida's Space Coast reported a bright, fast-moving streak across the dawn sky near Cape Canaveral. FLORIDA TODAY Executive Editor Mara Bellaby — who was jogging on Merritt Island — and several camera systems captured the flash and trailing debris that many observers described as a "chunky" fireball.
What observers saw
Spaceflight Now posted video from its Kennedy Space Center cameras showing an object streaking from north to south at about 6:18 a.m. ET. Social media posts and eyewitness accounts described the object as bright, fragmented and moving quickly across the sky.
Spaceflight Now: "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. 📷 @johnpisaniphoto"
Possible explanation
Observers debated the origin of the flash. One X user, @jconcilus — who identifies as a marine-traffic operator and NASA Spaceflight camera custodian — suggested the sighting was "almost certainly" the reentry of a Chinese upper-stage rocket. That assessment is consistent with the appearance of a breakup or controlled/uncontrolled reentry, but official confirmation from tracking agencies was not included in early posts.
Not a SpaceX rocket
SpaceX confirmed the fireball was not its Falcon 9. The company had planned a Starlink 10-51 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:10 a.m., but the attempt was scrubbed due to poor downrange weather. A new launch window was scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9, between 3:10 a.m. and 7:10 a.m.
Context
The Space Coast routinely sees rocket activity; this week included several launch attempts and a nighttime Falcon 9 liftoff on Nov. 5, 2025. When bright fireballs are reported near populated coastal areas, observers, tracking agencies and local authorities typically monitor reentry and debris reports to assess any potential hazards.
Bottom line: Video and eyewitnesses suggest a satellite or rocket stage reentering and breaking up over Merritt Island early on Nov. 8. The object was not a SpaceX Falcon 9, and launch operations were rescheduled because of weather.
