Pascal Fouquet, a talented photographer from Orlando, Florida, has been awarded first place in the United States' National Award category for the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards 2024. Fouquet's incredible shot of a rocket transiting the moon earned him this esteemed recognition.

The Sony World Photography Awards is a renowned program organized by Sony in partnership with the World Photography Organization. With hundreds of thousands of photo submissions from around the world, being chosen as a winner is an extraordinary achievement.

Fouquet's extraordinary photograph was taken just before the turn of the year, during SpaceX's momentous launch of the United States Space Force X-37B spaceplane on the USSF-52 mission. The uncrewed spacecraft, carried by the Falcon Heavy rocket, lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 p.m. EST on December 28th, 2023.

Facing a tight window of opportunity, Fouquet realized he had a chance to capture something truly unique less than 48 hours prior to the launch. However, finding the ideal location proved to be a challenge, given the limited spots available for taking the shot.

After careful consideration, Fouquet chose an unconventional setting - an open field behind a hospice center located 13.8 miles away from the launch pad. With his Nikon D850 camera at hand, he set the shutter speed to an impressive 1/1600 of a second. This allowed him to precisely capture the split-second moment when Falcon Heavy passed in front of the moon while ensuring the details of the moon remained the focus of the photograph.

Fouquet's skillful approach paid off beautifully, resulting in an awe-inspiring image that showcased the grandeur of the moon along with the powerful presence of the rocket. His talent for composition and technical expertise have rightly earned him this well-deserved recognition.

The United States' National Award win for Pascal Fouquet is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the incredible advancements in both photography and space exploration. It serves as a reminder of the power of capturing breathtaking moments that inspire awe and capture the imagination of audiences worldwide.

As the Sony World Photography Awards continue to celebrate remarkable photographers like Pascal Fouquet, we can only look forward to witnessing more stunning images that leave us in awe of the boundless beauty and opportunities that lie beyond our earthly horizons.