Brevard Space Coast SpaceX ULA NASA rocket launch sites
A quick look at the rockets launching from different Brevard launch sites.
SpaceX on Friday evening aims to launch another batch of Starlink satellites, according to geospatial navigational advisories and the Federal Aviation Administration.
SpaceX has confirmed that it is targeting a lift-off time of 8:32pm as of Thursday evening. If SpaceX is unable to launch at that time, there will be backup opportunities until 11:30 p.m.
The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) and follow a southeast trajectory.
About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 will land on a drone in the Atlantic Ocean. The booster will make its 21st flight, and is most remembered for the Inspiration4 mission, which was the first entirely civilian mission to reach orbit, as well as the Axiom-1 mission.
When will the next Florida rocket be launched? Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA, and ULA’s upcoming rocket launch schedule in Florida
How many SpaceX Starlink satellites are in orbit?
This will be the latest launch of SpaceX’s Internet satellites, which provide Internet to some of the most remote locations on Earth, including at sea. According to Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, SpaceX currently has 5,941 operational Starlink satellites in orbit. If Starlink 6-59 had a typical Space Coast 23 satellite payload, it would connect SpaceX to 5,964 satellites to deliver Internet to customers.
Amazon Kuiper constellation launching soon
Recently, FLORIDA TODAY reported on progress on Amazon’s satellite internet constellation: Project Kuiper. During a luncheon held by the National Space Club in May at Cape Canaveral, Brian Hausman, Amazon’s vice president of public policy, spoke about the company’s plans to launch later this year.
With more than 80 launches already secured, the massive company, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, aims to put half the constellation into orbit by July of 2026. And while Jeff Bezos may no longer be Amazon’s CEO, his rocket company, Blue Origin It was contracted to launch these satellites on its New Glenn rocket from Florida.
It’s not just Blue Origin, as Amazon has enlisted ULA, Arianespace, and even SpaceX to launch its own Kuiper satellites.
Amazon’s goal, like SpaceX, is to provide fast, affordable internet to underserved areas on Earth.
Follow the latest space news from the FLORIDA TODAY space team on floridatoday.com/space.
Brooke Edwards is a satellite correspondent for Florida Today. Call her on [email protected] Or on the tenth: @prokovstars.
