SpaceX Launch Could Light Up the Grand Strand Sky Before Sunrise Tuesday

North Myrtle Beach, S.C. · October 12, 2026 · By Thomas Beach Vacations

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Early risers along the Grand Strand may get a rare show on Tuesday morning. SpaceX is scheduled to launch its CRS-35 cargo mission to the International Space Station at 6:33 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and WMBF’s First Alert Weather team says the rocket should be visible from the area if the launch goes on time.

WMBF advises looking east to southeast, toward the horizon, around 6:35 a.m., about two minutes after liftoff. The forecast calls for clear skies across the Grand Strand.

Why the Timing Matters

The launch comes about 45 minutes before sunrise, which in North Myrtle Beach is at about 7:18 a.m. That timing can produce the effect skywatchers call a jellyfish: the ground is still dark, but sunlight reaches the rocket’s exhaust high in the atmosphere, so the plume glows and spreads into a wide, luminous cloud. WMBF said viewers could see that kind of bright plume as the rocket climbs.

Hoodline reported that the Cargo Dragon is carrying about 6,500 pounds of supplies and research for the station, including the final pair of iROSA solar arrays. If Tuesday’s attempt is postponed, the backup opportunity is Wednesday, October 14, at 6:08 a.m., according to Hoodline. Launch times can change on short notice, so check SpaceX’s website or social channels before heading out.

Where to Watch in North Myrtle Beach

Any ocean-facing beach with a clear view to the southeast will work. The Point at the north end of Cherry Grove offers a wide, dark horizon, and the beaches in Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill all look straight out over the Atlantic. Guests in oceanfront rentals may be able to watch from the balcony.

Sea turtle nesting season runs through October 31, so the city asks beachgoers not to shine flashlights or phone lights on the sand. Give your eyes a few minutes to adjust, and keep your camera ready a little before 6:35 a.m. Our guide to fall stargazing in North Myrtle Beach has more on dark-sky viewing this season, including the Orionid meteor shower, which peaks the following week.

For more on what is happening this season, see our Myrtle Beach events calendar, our guide to things to do in Myrtle Beach and more local news from North Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand.

Sources: WMBF News First Alert Weather reporting by Andrew Dockery, October 12, 2026; Hoodline (October 2026); sunrise time from standard solar tables. Launch times are subject to change, so confirm with SpaceX before heading out.