SpaceX has set Monday, April 27 as the target date for a Falcon Heavy launch carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. ET, with a backup opportunity on Tuesday, April 28, starting at 10:17 a.m. ET. The mission will mark the first flight of the ViaSat-3 series, which aims to expand global broadband capabilities.
The Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will be reused from previous missions. One booster previously supported the SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and 18 Starlink launches, while the second booster was used for the GOES-U mission. After stage separation, both boosters will land at SpaceX’s Landing Zones 2 and 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This reuse highlights SpaceX’s focus on reducing costs through rapid turnaround of hardware.
The launch comes as SpaceX continues to dominate the East Coast’s space industry. The company has conducted 24 launches from Florida in 2026 alone, including multiple Starlink missions and government contracts. The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is part of a $6.5 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy three advanced military communications satellites.
Local officials have noted the economic impact of SpaceX’s operations. Port Canaveral Public Safety Director Cory Dibble was recently honored for his work in maritime safety, but the space industry remains a major driver of jobs and investment in Brevard County. The Falcon Heavy launch will be visible to residents along the Space Coast, with live coverage available on Space Coast Daily TV.
SpaceX’s Starship program also made headlines earlier this week, with the company unveiling plans for a next-generation reusable rocket system. However, the Falcon Heavy remains a workhorse for heavy-lift missions, including national security and commercial payloads. The April 27 launch will be the first Falcon Heavy mission of 2026 and the third overall in the series.