A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 3:10 a.m. on July 30, 2026, sending a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office into orbit. The mission, named NROL-95, marked the 49th orbital launch from Brevard County this year. Residents across Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and several other counties reported hearing a loud double bang about eight minutes after liftoff. SpaceX attributed the noise to the rocket’s first-stage booster returning to Landing Zone 2, located south of the launch pad. The booster had previously flown six missions, making this its seventh trip to space.
The sonic boom, a common occurrence during rocket landings, was expected based on SpaceX’s pre-launch warning. The company noted that weather conditions and geography would influence how loudly residents heard the event. The launch was the first of two planned for the NROL-95 mission, with the second stage carrying the classified payload to orbit. SpaceX’s reuse of the booster highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce costs and increase launch frequency.
This mission continued SpaceX’s dominance of the Space Coast’s launch schedule in 2026. Of the 49 orbital missions launched from the area this year, 42 were conducted by SpaceX. United Launch Alliance has completed five launches, including one with its Vulcan rocket, while Blue Origin managed one flight with its New Glenn rocket. NASA’s Artemis II mission, using the Space Launch System, was also launched from the Space Coast earlier this year.
SpaceX remains the only active launch provider on the Space Coast for the foreseeable future. United Launch Alliance is still addressing technical issues with its Vulcan rocket, which delayed its schedule. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to prepare for upcoming launches, including commercial and government missions, from its facilities at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center.