NASA and SpaceX are set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast on Friday, April 10, 2026. The mission will carry a Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft loaded with supplies and science equipment for the International Space Station. The launch window is in the early morning, with visibility potentially extending as far north as Jacksonville Beach if weather conditions permit. This comes the same day the Artemis II crew is expected to splash down near San Diego, California.
The rocket will lift off from either NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Trajectory and cloud cover will determine how far north the plume is visible. Jacksonville residents with a clear view to the southeast may spot the rocket’s ascent and contrail.
Launches during early morning hours often create striking visual opportunities. The rocket’s engines will light up the sky, and the contrail left in its wake can be captured in photos. For those unable to view it directly, live streams will be available through NASA and SpaceX.
The Cygnus XL will deliver over 7,000 pounds of cargo to the space station, including experiments, food, and hardware. This mission follows a successful test flight of the spacecraft in 2025.
Residents in Jacksonville and along the First Coast are encouraged to check the weather ahead of the launch. Clear skies and minimal cloud cover will offer the best chance to see the rocket. The splashdown of Artemis II later the same day will mark the end of the first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo.