Glowing spiral seen over Europe after SpaceX launch stirs public curiosity

A large glowing spiral appeared in the night sky over parts of Western Europe on March 24, 2025, following the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket for the NROL-69 mission. The phenomenon, which captivated observers across the continent, was caused by frozen exhaust released from the rocket’s second stage during its deorbit burn.

A large glowing spiral appeared in the night sky over parts of Western Europe on March 24, 2025, following the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying the NROL-69 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The launch took place at 17:48 UTC from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

After successfully deploying its classified payload into orbit, the rocket’s second stage initiated a routine deorbit burn, venting its remaining propellant into space. The exhaust—consisting primarily of water vapor and carbon dioxide—rapidly froze in the cold upper atmosphere, forming a diffuse cloud of ice crystals. While the second stage continued to spin, the released material expanded outward in a spiral pattern.

Although it was dark on the ground, sunlight still illuminated the upper atmosphere at those altitudes, reflecting off ice crystals to create a glowing spiral visible for several minutes before fading.

The phenomenon was observed in multiple countries across Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden, extending as far south as Croatia and its neighboring countries.

In many locations, the spiral appeared as a glowing vortex moving slowly across the sky, generating widespread curiosity and confusion among observers.

Such spirals have occurred after previous Falcon 9 launches, including over Norway in March 2024 following the Transporter-10 rideshare mission, and over New Zealand in 2022. These events are characteristic of the fuel-dumping process performed by the rocket’s second stage during deorbit procedures and pose no danger to observers on the ground.

Social media platforms were flooded with photos and videos, with many users speculating about its origin—ranging from rocket activity to more exotic theories.

While experienced skywatchers quickly identified the pattern as a result of a rocket fuel dump, others expressed concern and awe, with some describing the sight as “unsettling” or “otherworldly.”

The full launch is available in the video below:

Watch Falcon 9 launch the @USSF_SSC and @NatReconOfc’s NROL-69 mission from pad 40 in Florida https://t.co/9WH2CJh7iZ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 21, 2025

Featured image: Glowing spiral over Europe caused by SpaceX rocket’s fuel dump on March 24, 2025. Credit: Pogled na Plaski, Hrvatska