A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:41 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, carrying 29 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. The launch took place from Launch Complex 40, marking the booster’s 26th mission. The rocket’s first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship approximately 600 miles southeast of the Bahamas, a location SpaceX has used only twice before. This was the second time the company has landed that far south, following a similar landing in February 2025.
The flight path avoided populated areas of Brevard County, with no sonic booms reported during the ascent. The mission is part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to expand global broadband coverage through the Starlink constellation. The company has reused the booster multiple times, highlighting its focus on cost-effective spaceflight.
SpaceX’s next launch from Cape Canaveral is scheduled for no earlier than 9:04 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. The Falcon 9 will again launch Starlink satellites, with this mission designated Starlink 6-104. The launch will use the same Launch Complex 40 pad, which has hosted numerous commercial and government missions over the past decade.
Local residents and space enthusiasts in Brevard County watched the launch from nearby beaches and observation points. The event followed a successful test flight of a Starship prototype in January, underscoring the region’s continued role as a hub for aerospace activity. SpaceX has conducted over 100 launches from Florida since 2010, with Cape Canaveral serving as a primary site for both crewed and uncrewed missions.