Capturing a rocket transiting the moon is a rare sight that requires serious skill. Pascal Fouquet, a photographer from Orlando, Florida, was able to capture such a shot and was chosen as the United States’ National Award first place winner for the Sony World Photography Awards 2024. This awards program is a partnership between Sony and the World Photography Organization and receives hundreds of thousands of photo submissions from around the world.
Fouquet took his winning shot of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket passing in front of the moon just before the new year, during the USSF-52 mission launch. Fouquet only had less than 48 hours to prepare for the opportunity to capture the shot. He settled on an unconventional location, an open field behind a hospice center 13.8 miles away from the launch pad.
Using a Nikon D850, Fouquet set his camera to capture the details of the moon, not the rocket. His shutter speed was set to 1/1600 of a second to capture the split second moment Falcon Heavy passed in front of the moon. This was the seventh launch for the Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane, which remains in orbit at the time of this publication after its last mission lasted 908 days.
The photograph showcases Fouquet’s skill and dedication to capturing such a rare and unique moment. His work has been recognized and awarded at a national level, showcasing his talent as a photographer. The partnership between Sony and the World Photography Organization provides a platform for photographers like Fouquet to showcase their work and receive recognition for their skills.