The early morning of August 30, 2026, presented a unique spectacle for rocket enthusiasts and photographers alike. As the sun began to rise over Florida’s Space Coast, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket roared to life, carrying NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope into the cosmos. This launch was not just a scientific milestone but also a rare photographic opportunity that required precise planning and a bit of luck.
For Josh Dinner a spaceflight writer and photographer for, the day started with an unexpected decision. Instead of watching the launch from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) press site, he found himself speeding towards a Hobby Lobby parking lot in Titusville. This choice was driven by the possibility of capturing a rare solar transit—a moment when the rocket would pass directly in front of the sun.
The perfect alignment: Planning for a solar transit
Capturing a rocket launch against the sun is a challenging endeavor that requires precise timing and location. The Falcon Heavy launch window was instantaneous meaning the rocket had to lift off at exactly 07:26:49 a.m. EDT (11:26:49 GMT) to achieve the correct orbit. This precision was crucial not only for the mission but also for photographers hoping to capture the solar transit.
Tools like PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris played a pivotal role in planning the shot. These software applications help photographers predict the exact trajectory of a launch vehicle and align it with celestial bodies. However, even with these tools, the alignment had to be nearly perfect. A slight delay or change in the launch time could have moved the sun out of alignment, ruining the shot.
The alignment for the Roman Space Telescope launch was particularly rare. The sun rises in a slightly different spot on the horizon each day, and even a few minutes’ delay could have disrupted the alignment. For the Falcon Heavy, which flies less frequently than SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, such opportunities are even rarer. The alignment happened to be in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby, making it a prime location for photographers.
A gamble with clouds and cameras
As the launch day approached, excitement and uncertainty grew among the photographers. Weather forecasts predicted only a 50% chance of favorable conditions, and clouds on the horizon threatened to obscure the view. Josh Dinner was torn between staying at the KSC press site for a front-row view of the launch and risking the drive to Titusville for the solar transit shot.
The decision became clearer when David Diebold from Space Scout arrived at the press site. With the words “No guts, no glory” he encouraged Dinner to take the chance. Diebold also offered a solar filter for Dinner’s camera, which was a significant factor in the decision. With about 45 minutes until launch, Dinner decided to head to Titusville.
The drive from KSC to the Hobby Lobby parking lot took approximately 25 minutes. Upon arrival, Dinner found a gathering of fellow launch photographers, including Andrew McCarthy from Consider the Cosmos and Max Evans from NASA Space Flight. Both photographers offered valuable last-minute advice on camera settings, helping Dinner prepare for the shot.
Dinner used a Canon R5 Mark II one of Canon’s newest full-frame mirrorless cameras, equipped with an RF100-400mm F5.6-8 lens. With the lens zoomed to 400mm and the solar filter in place, he set the exposure to 1/20000 and the aperture to F16. The final moments before launch were tense, with clouds still threatening to obscure the view. Just as the countdown began, the clouds cleared, and the moment of truth arrived.
The moment of liftoff: A split-second opportunity
As the countdown reached zero, the Falcon Heavy roared to life, lifting off from Launch Complex-39A at KSC. The rocket’s 27 Merlin engines generated over 5 million pounds of thrust, propelling the Roman Space Telescope towards its destination nearly 1 million miles from Earth. For Dinner, the focus was solely on capturing the solar transit, a split-second event that required perfect timing.
“Liftoff,” echoed through the air as the rocket ascended. Dinner kept his finger on the shutter button, hoping to capture the moment when the Falcon Heavy would pass in front of the sun. The transit happened in a flash, but the shot was successful. The resulting image showcases the rocket silhouetted against the bright sun, a testament to the meticulous planning and a bit of luck.
The Roman Space Telescope is now on a three-month journey to its final orbit, where it will explore the universe’s darkest secrets. The mission will help astronomers study dark matterdark energy and exoplanets providing a wealth of data for future discoveries. The successful launch and the rare solar transit photo serve as a reminder of the incredible feats achieved through human ingenuity and perseverance.
As Dinner reflects on the experience, he emphasizes the importance of taking risks to capture unique moments. “No guts, no glory,” he says, encapsulating the spirit of both the launch and the photographic endeavor. The image of the Falcon Heavy transiting the sun will forever be a memorable snapshot of this historic event.
