KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Early risers across East Tennessee got an unexpected show Tuesday morning as a brightly illuminated SpaceX rocket streaked across the sky following a launch from Florida.
The spectacle was created by SpaceX’s 35th commercial resupply mission for NASA, which is carrying more than 6,300 pounds of scientific experiments, equipment and supplies to the International Space Station.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 6:33 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Skywatchers across East Tennessee reported seeing the rocket’s bright trail shortly after launch, with several residents capturing photos from communities including Alcoa and surrounding areas.
The mission is carrying an uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft loaded with research materials, crew supplies and station hardware needed to support ongoing operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.
About nine minutes after liftoff, Dragon successfully separated from the rocket’s second stage and began its journey toward the space station.
NASA and SpaceX expect the spacecraft to dock with the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module on Thursday. Once attached, astronauts will unload the cargo and begin work on the scientific experiments delivered by the mission.
The spacecraft is expected to remain at the station for approximately one month before returning to Earth with completed experiments and other cargo for researchers to analyze.
The launch marks another milestone in the long-running partnership between NASA and SpaceX, which uses Cargo Dragon spacecraft to deliver critical supplies and scientific equipment to the International Space Station.
For many East Tennesseans, however, the mission’s most memorable moment came just after sunrise, when the rocket’s bright plume created a dramatic sight across the morning sky.
SpaceX rocket in East Tennessee skies (WVLT)
