Early risers and skywatchers along Brevard County's coastline were treated to a luminous spectacle as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket climbed through the predawn darkness on its way to orbit.
The mission delivered three AST SpaceMobile satellites to space, adding to the growing constellation the company is building to provide broadband connectivity directly to mobile phones.
Photographers from Florida Today were on hand to document the ascent, capturing a striking gallery of images that show the rocket's bright exhaust trail cutting across the still-dark sky above the Space Coast.
Launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station continue to be a signature experience for residents and visitors to the region, with predawn and nighttime flights offering some of the most dramatic viewing conditions of the year.
Full image coverage of the launch was provided by Florida Today.
