SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 40 on Thursday, May 21, no earlier than 5:26 a.m. The mission will deliver another batch of Starlink internet satellites to orbit. The launch window extends until 9:26 a.m., with the rocket’s first stage booster expected to land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This will be the 34th Falcon 9 launch of 2026, marking a slower pace compared to last year’s record 109 launches.
The reduced cadence comes as SpaceX shifts focus to Starship operations at Cape Canaveral. Falcon 9 launches from Florida have typically occurred twice weekly, but this year’s schedule has slowed significantly. The last Starlink mission from the region was on May 1, and the company currently uses only one launch pad for Falcon 9 flights. SpaceX also relocated its Just Read the Instructions drone ship to support Starship testing, limiting available landing sites for Falcon 9 boosters.
No sonic booms are expected over Brevard County this time, as the booster will land on the drone ship rather than returning to Florida. The mission continues SpaceX’s effort to expand global broadband coverage through Starlink. The company has not yet confirmed if it will meet last year’s launch total, though officials have emphasized Starship development as a priority.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space. This launch marks SpaceX’s return to a regular schedule less than a week after its previous mission. The company’s focus on Starship has raised questions about long-term Falcon 9 operations, but Thursday’s flight underscores its ongoing commitment to both programs.