Observers on Merritt Island reported a bright fireball streaking across the dawn sky on Nov. 8 while SpaceX prepared a Falcon 9 Starlink launch. Cameras at Kennedy Space Center captured footage that outlets described as a likely satellite reentry around 6:18–6:20 a.m. ET. Social posts suggested the object could be a Chinese upper stage, but investigators continued to analyze data. The Falcon 9 launch originally set for 7:10 a.m. was scrubbed due to downrange weather; SpaceX scheduled another window for 3:10–7:10 a.m. on Nov. 9.
Fireball Streaks Across Merritt Island Dawn as SpaceX Scrubs Falcon 9 Launch — Likely Satellite Reentry
Observers on Merritt Island reported a bright fireball streaking across the dawn sky on Nov. 8 while SpaceX prepared a Falcon 9 Starlink launch. Cameras at Kennedy Space Center captured footage that outlets described as a likely satellite reentry around 6:18–6:20 a.m. ET. Social posts suggested the object could be a Chinese upper stage, but investigators continued to analyze data. The Falcon 9 launch originally set for 7:10 a.m. was scrubbed due to downrange weather; SpaceX scheduled another window for 3:10–7:10 a.m. on Nov. 9.
19:26, 09.11.2025Science
Bright fireball seen over Merritt Island during SpaceX launch attempt
Residents of Florida's Space Coast witnessed an unexpected spectacle on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 8: a bright object streaking across the pre-dawn sky near Cape Canaveral. The sighting came as SpaceX teams prepared for a Falcon 9 Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Eyewitness account: Just before 6:20 a.m. ET, FLORIDA TODAY Executive Editor Mara Bellaby, who was jogging on Merritt Island, reported seeing what looked like a satellite breaking apart and falling through the sky. Merritt Island is in Brevard County, adjacent to the launch complex and about an hour east of Orlando's theme parks.
Camera footage and initial analysis: Spaceflight Now published video captured by a camera at Kennedy Space Center that shows a bright, chunky object moving roughly north-to-south around 6:18 a.m. ET. The outlet described the footage as appearing to show a satellite reentry. Social media posts echoed that assessment, noting the object's brightness and fragmented appearance.
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."
Speculation on origin: On the social platform X, user @jconcilus — who identifies as a marine traffic operator and NASA Spaceflight camera custodian — suggested the streak was "almost certainly reentry of a Chinese upper stage rocket." That theory circulated among observers, though officials and launch commentators continued to review tracking data and video to confirm the object's identity.
Not related to the Falcon 9 on the pad: The sighting was not a product of the Falcon 9 that was scheduled to lift off at 7:10 a.m. SpaceX scrubbed that attempt because of unfavorable downrange weather conditions and planned a second launch window from 3:10 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 9.
The Cape Canaveral area has seen increased activity this week, including multiple launch attempts and at least one successful nighttime Falcon 9 liftoff on Nov. 5, 2025. While rocket activity is familiar to locals, unexpected streaks like Saturday's fireball draw strong attention and widespread social-media sharing.
Ongoing monitoring: Authorities, launch commentators and orbital trackers are continuing to analyze imagery and telemetry to determine the object's precise origin. At the time of reporting it was being treated as a probable satellite reentry rather than debris from the grounded Falcon 9.
Photo and video credits: Spaceflight Now / @johnpisaniphoto. Story originally reported by FLORIDA TODAY; republished with additional details.