People from UK and France are currently reporting this view

Reports from various countries including France, the UK, and Belgium described a blue spiral smoke phenomenon in the sky around 20:00 UTC. This event coincided with the launch of the US classified NROL-69 mission, carried out by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and successfully delivered its payload to orbit, with its first stage landing safely back in Florida. The spiral smoke observed in Europe was attributed to fuel being dumped during the second revolution of the rocket's upper stage. From a transportation expert perspective, the incident highlights the growing visibility of space launch activities and their implications for international observability. As more private companies participate in space missions, the interaction between space operations and terrestrial observers will become more common. This emphasizes the need for improved communication and public education regarding rocket launches to mitigate confusion and concern when people witness non-threatening phenomena like fuel dumps in the atmosphere. Enhanced transparency from space agencies and private companies could foster a better understanding of these events and reduce potential public alarm.