A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch from Florida’s Space Coast early Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, 2026, carrying three AST SpaceMobile cellular broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch window is scheduled for just over an hour after a portion of a Falcon 9 rocket launched in 2025 is expected to impact the moon’s Earth-facing side. This rare celestial event will occur approximately 1:44 a.m. ET, according to SpaceX’s timeline.
The Falcon 9 will deploy BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 satellites, which aim to expand global broadband coverage by operating in low-Earth orbit. The mission marks AST SpaceMobile’s third satellite deployment this year, with the company targeting full constellation completion by 2027. Launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station often draw attention beyond the Space Coast.
Visibility of the rocket’s “space jellyfish effect”—a phenomenon where sunlight reflects off the rocket’s exhaust—depends on weather and cloud cover. Residents in Collier County and Leon County reported seeing similar glows during a July 9 launch, though sightings are more common during sunrise or sunset launches. On Wednesday, the launch’s timing near midnight may limit visibility to areas with clear skies, including parts of Jacksonville Beach and West Palm Beach.
SpaceX has not commented on the moon impact, but the event is a regular occurrence as spent rocket stages from past missions drift into space. The 2025 debris is expected to strike the moon’s surface without posing a risk to Earth. This dual event highlights the ongoing activity at Florida’s launch sites, where commercial and government missions frequently share the skies.