A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, June 17 at 2:39 a.m. ET. The mission will deploy three AST SpaceMobile BlueBird broadband satellites. The launch window is narrow, and the rocket’s trajectory will head northeast over the Atlantic Ocean. Weather conditions will determine if the event is visible from the Florida coast. The rocket’s plume may be seen as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach. Visibility depends on cloud cover and light pollution. The launch occurs during a time when the sky is dark, making the rocket’s contrail easier to spot. Residents along the Treasure Coast have reported seeing previous launches under similar conditions. The mission is part of AST SpaceMobile’s effort to expand global broadband coverage. SpaceX has not disclosed specific details about the satellites’ capabilities. The launch is the first of three planned BlueBird missions this year. The Falcon 9’s first stage will land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Landing Zone 1. The rocket will be the 10th Falcon 9 to launch from the Space Coast in 2026. NASA is not involved in the mission, but SpaceX will stream the launch on its website. The event is not open to the public for viewing on-site. The launch time was chosen to avoid interference with air traffic. The mission’s success could help AST SpaceMobile test its satellite network for commercial use. SpaceX has not confirmed if the satellites will be operational immediately after deployment. The company will provide updates after the launch. The mission is expected to take about 10 minutes from liftoff to satellite separation. The rocket’s payload capacity for this mission is 1,500 kilograms. The launch is part of SpaceX’s growing role in commercial satellite deployments. The company has launched over 2,000 satellites globally since 2015. The mission will be the first BlueBird launch since December 2025. AST SpaceMobile has not shared details about the satellites’ orbital altitude or lifespan. The company aims to provide broadband service to remote areas by 2027. SpaceX’s next launch is scheduled for July 12, also from Cape Canaveral.