SpaceX's 'Just Read the Instructions' drone ship arrived at Port Canaveral on April 23, 2026, carrying the first stage booster from the April 21 GPS III mission. This marked its final role in Falcon 9 recovery operations, as the vessel is now being repurposed to support the company's Starship program. The drone ship will be joined by 'A Shortfall of Gravitas,' which will serve as the sole East Coast recovery vessel for Falcon 9 missions moving forward. SpaceX confirmed this shift as part of its broader strategy to focus on Starship development and future launches from Florida.
The 'Just Read the Instructions' drone ship has supported 156 Falcon 9 first stage landings since its deployment. Its retirement comes as SpaceX ramps up preparations for Starship launches, with Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A nearing completion and work progressing on Launch Complex 37 in Cape Canaveral. Despite these advancements, Starship is currently only launching from Texas, though Florida is expected to host future missions.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 accounted for 101 of Florida's 109 launches in 2025, with launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40 being the primary site. However, Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center will soon support Falcon Heavy missions and eventually serve as the first Starship launch site in the state. The transition raises questions about how SpaceX will manage frequent Falcon 9 operations from Cape Canaveral, which can include two launches per week.
With only one drone ship now available for Falcon 9 recoveries, SpaceX will rely on 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' to handle the increased demand. The company has paused Falcon 9 launches from Pad 39A this year, focusing instead on Starship development. As Starship becomes the priority, the retirement of 'Just Read the Instructions' signals the end of an era for Falcon 9 sea landings on the East Coast. The drone ship's final journey to Port Canaveral was a quiet but significant moment for SpaceX's evolving operations in Brevard County.