Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launched eight rockets in January 2026, including six SpaceX Falcon 9 missions and a United Launch Alliance Vulcan flight. The busiest site was Launch Complex 40, which hosted seven of the eight launches. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched 29 Starlink satellites on January 4, 9, 12, 14, 18 and 30. A Lockheed Martin-built GPS satellite followed on January 27. The Vulcan rocket lifted off on January 29 for a national security mission. Susan Richards and Gabrielle Crocker watched the January 14 launch from KARS Park on Merritt Island. SpaceX’s January 4 mission occurred at 1:48 a.m. EST, creating lens flare in photos due to nearby lights. The January 27 GPS launch was the first for the new Falcon 9 variant, which can carry heavier payloads. The Vulcan rocket’s January 29 launch marked the first operational flight of the ULA vehicle since its 2023 debut. Launches occurred at all hours, from 1:08 p.m. on January 14 to 2:22 a.m. on January 30. Local observers noted increased traffic around the Space Force Station, with some residents expressing concerns about noise and safety. The U.S. Space Force reported no delays or cancellations in the January launch schedule, which included both commercial and government missions.