A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch from Cape Canaveral on Friday, May 1, 2026, carrying 29 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 10 minutes after the full moon peaks in the sky, according to SpaceX. Weather permitting, the event may be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach. The timing coincides with the first full moon of May, which could make for striking visuals under the night sky.
The rocket will lift off from the Space Coast, though the exact launch site—Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station—has not been specified. Residents and visitors along the Treasure Coast may have a chance to see the liftoff, depending on cloud cover and the rocket’s trajectory. SpaceX has not confirmed details about the mission’s payload beyond the 29 satellites, which are part of its ongoing Starlink broadband network.
Those hoping to watch the launch are advised to find open areas with a clear view of the southeastern sky. The rocket’s ascent could create a visible contrail, and the bright lights from the vehicle may be captured in photographs. The launch window runs for four hours, but the best visibility is expected around the time of the full moon. No specific viewing events or public gatherings have been announced for the occasion.
For more details, readers can contact USA TODAY Network reporters Rick Neale at [email protected], Brooke Edwards at [email protected], or Eric Lagatta at [email protected]. Additional space news is available at floridatoday.com/space. The next scheduled launch after this one is not yet confirmed by SpaceX.