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Vehicle Assembly Building Rises Above Ground Fog After Falcon 9 Launch

Veteran photographer Craig Bailey captured a dramatic shot of the Vehicle Assembly Building rising above low ground fog after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Pad 39A on Nov. 20. The launch was Florida’s 100th orbital rocket of the year. The shallow mist briefly made the iconic structure appear wrapped in a thin white blanket, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar landmark.

07:20 PM, 11/22/2025Science
Vehicle Assembly Building Rises Above Ground Fog After Falcon 9 Launch

A striking photograph captured by veteran photographer Craig Bailey shows the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) soaring above a shallow blanket of ground fog following a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Pad 39A on Nov. 20. That launch marked Florida’s 100th orbital rocket of the year.

The image frames the VAB — the largest structure in Central Florida — as it appears to float above mist that hugged the ground, remaining visible for miles. The combination of launch-night lighting and the low-lying fog creates an uncommon, almost ethereal perspective of a frequently photographed landmark.

"Thursday night was one of those nights where the largest building in the area stood tall even through the ground fog," Bailey said. "The fog was just beginning to form and did not reach very high. For a little while before the launch, the roof of the building sat just above the mist, so it looked like the structure was wrapped in a thin white blanket."

Bailey — who has photographed countless launches over decades — highlighted how fleeting atmospheric conditions can offer fresh ways to see familiar space-era architecture. The photograph pairs the drama of a launch evening with a delicate natural phenomenon, underscoring both the scale of the VAB and the ever-changing mood of the Space Coast sky.

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