SpaceX has successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

The early morning launch on Friday left from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and weather conditions created a luminous plume effect from the rocket’s exhaust fumes.

In a post-launch briefing, Nasa’s space station program manager, Kirk Shireman, said: “We had a beautiful morning. I was going to say breathtaking, but maybe 'awakening’ might be a better word.”

Jessica Jensen, SpaceX’s director of Dragon mission management, added: “These pre-sunrise or post-sunset launches give for a spectacular show in the sky… I like to refer to it as the space jellyfish that’s coming down after us. These are the best.”

The Falcon 9 was carrying the Dragon capsule, which was packed with nearly 3,000kg of cargo – including food, supplies and science experiments.

SpaceX said on Twitter that the Dragon capsule had successfully entered orbit and deployed its solar panels.