A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The launch was the rocket’s first since December 2024 and its 12th ever. The mission is part of a series to deploy three advanced communications satellites for ViaSat, a company based in Carlsbad, California. The rocket’s two side boosters landed simultaneously at Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1 and 2, a routine achievement for SpaceX’s reusable launch system.
The Falcon Heavy, which can carry payloads of up to 64 metric tons to low Earth orbit, has been used for a mix of commercial and government missions since its debut in 2014. This launch followed a 15-month hiatus after the last flight in December 2024, which delivered a satellite for the U.S. Space Force. SpaceX officials did not immediately comment on the gap between launches, but industry analysts noted the pause allowed for maintenance and upgrades to the rocket’s systems.
The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is designed to provide high-speed internet and broadband services across North America, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. The satellite will join two others in the ViaSat-3 constellation, which aims to expand global connectivity. The mission was delayed multiple times due to technical challenges and weather issues at the launch site.
Kennedy Space Center officials confirmed the launch window opened at 1:30 p.m. and closed at 4:30 p.m. local time, with the rocket lifting off just after 3 p.m. The flight was visible from much of Florida’s east coast, with photographers capturing images of the rocket piercing through clouds shortly after liftoff. SpaceX’s next scheduled launch is expected in late 2026, though no specific mission has been announced yet.