SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday. The target launch time is 9:53 p.m. ET. This mission will mark the 26th flight of the first-stage booster, which has previously supported launches including Crew-6, multiple Starlink missions, and the Bluebird 1-5 satellite deployment. The rocket will lift off from SLC-40, a site frequently used for SpaceX operations on the Space Coast.
The Falcon 9’s first stage will attempt a landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions, located in the Atlantic Ocean. This landing is part of SpaceX’s routine recovery efforts to reuse boosters, a key factor in reducing launch costs. The mission will be the second Starlink launch of 2026 from Florida, following a successful flight in January. SpaceX has not yet confirmed weather conditions for the launch, but the current forecast suggests a high probability of favorable conditions.
The launch will be visible from parts of Florida’s east coast, with the rocket’s brightness expected to be comparable to a star in the night sky. Viewing opportunities may be limited by cloud cover, but SpaceX typically provides live streams of its missions. The 29 satellites are part of Starlink’s ongoing effort to expand global broadband coverage, with the constellation now containing over 4,000 active satellites.
SpaceX has not disclosed the exact payload details for this mission, but Starlink satellites are typically equipped with advanced communications technology and solar arrays. The company’s launches from Cape Canaveral have become a regular feature of Brevard County’s landscape, drawing attention from residents and visitors alike. The next scheduled launch from the Space Coast is expected in early April, though details remain under wraps.