A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:10 a.m. July 14 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The launch, part of the Starlink 10-45 mission, marked the 47th spaceflight from Brevard County in 2026. SpaceX’s first-stage booster, which has flown 28 times before, landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the company’s 10th Starlink mission of the year and the 11th overall from the Space Coast since 2021.
The Florida launch occurred as SpaceX works to clear the way for its 13th test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket in Texas. The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday approved the company’s request to proceed with the test after accepting the final report from the investigation into the rocket’s 12th mission in May. That flight ended when the Super Heavy booster lost control and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, though no injuries or property damage occurred.
The FAA’s report cited two probable causes for the May incident: heat effects on propulsion system components during ascent and incorrect engine alarm settings. SpaceX outlined four corrective actions, including redesigning engine cooling systems and updating software protocols. The agency confirmed the company’s proposed fixes meet safety requirements.
SpaceX has conducted 12 Starship test flights since 2020, with each attempt pushing the limits of the rocket’s reusability and landing capabilities. The next test, expected to launch from Starbase in South Texas, will be the first since the May mishap. If successful, it could pave the way for the first fully operational Starship missions later this year.
The Florida launch was the 47th of 2026 in Brevard County, with SpaceX responsible for 40 of those flights. Only seven other companies have launched from the Space Coast this year, highlighting the company’s dominance in the region’s aerospace sector. The next Starlink mission is scheduled for late August from the same launch site.