SpaceX plans to send its Starfall spacecraft on an uncrewed demo mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. The launch will be covered live by the USA TODAY Network Space Team starting 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. This mission marks the first test flight of Starfall, a spacecraft designed for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 39A, the same site used for NASA’s Artemis II mission in April 2025. Weather and trajectory could make the launch visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach.
Florida’s Space Coast set a record in 2025 with 109 orbital rocket launches, the highest annual total in history. As of June 22, 2026, the region has already seen 41 launches this year. April 2026 was a busy month, with NASA’s Artemis II mission launching in April 2025 and carrying four astronauts on a lunar flyby. However, May 2026 saw a slowdown, with only six launches from Florida. Blue Origin also faced a setback in May when its New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot fire test at Launch Complex 36. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, but the company is working to assess damage and resume operations.
June’s schedule is expected to include multiple SpaceX Starlink satellite launches, with four already completed in the month. The Starfall demo is part of SpaceX’s broader efforts to expand its fleet of spacecraft for deep-space missions. The company has not disclosed specific details about Starfall’s capabilities beyond its role in future crewed missions. Local residents and space enthusiasts are encouraged to watch the launch online or from viewing areas near the Space Coast.
The USA TODAY Network will provide live updates and analysis of the Starfall launch, with coverage beginning 90 minutes before liftoff. The event is also available on NASA+ through Amazon Prime Video. SpaceX has not confirmed whether the Starfall mission will be followed by additional launches in the coming months, but the company has indicated a focus on increasing its launch cadence in 2026.