A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off early Tuesday, June 28, 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40, carrying the company’s new Starfall spacecraft on a demo mission. The launch, which produced a loud, continuous rumble, marks the first public test of the vehicle, described by SpaceX engineer Zachary Luppen as a microgravity lab for researchers and entrepreneurs. Luppen said during the June 23 launch broadcast that Starfall could help develop products and innovations in space. The spacecraft’s exact purpose remains unclear, but its design suggests it may support commercial experiments or satellite deployments.
Meanwhile, Project Forge—a code-named aerospace company—has requested $350 million in financing from Space Florida to build facilities at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville. The company, which has not publicly disclosed its identity, aims to develop research, testing, and launch operations in Florida. Space Florida’s board approved a request for conduit financing for the initiative three weeks ago, signaling potential growth for the area’s aerospace sector. If approved, the project could bring hundreds of jobs and infrastructure upgrades to Titusville.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is also planning upgrades to its Apollo/Saturn V Center, with permits showing a 15-year plan to expand the facility. The center, located near KSC’s historic pads 39A and 39B, currently houses a 36-story Saturn V rocket displayed horizontally and moon-themed exhibits. Officials aim to accommodate thousands more spectators for rocket launches, though details about the expansion’s scope remain limited. The facility is accessible via tour bus and sits within a restricted area on Banana Creek’s shoreline.
The developments highlight Brevard County’s growing role in space commerce and tourism, with SpaceX, new companies, and NASA all advancing projects that could reshape the region’s economy and infrastructure over the next decade.