A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SiriusXM SXM-11 satellite from Florida’s Space Coast late Sunday or early Monday, according to launch officials. The mission is scheduled for June 26, 2026, with a launch window extending into the early morning hours of June 27. The rocket will depart from either Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, locations that have hosted 1-2 SpaceX launches weekly during peak months.
This launch follows the uncrewed demo mission of SpaceX’s new Starfall spacecraft on June 23, which lifted off just after sunrise. The SiriusXM satellite mission marks another routine operation for SpaceX, which frequently conducts launches from the Space Coast. Weather permitting, the rocket’s ascent could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach, though visibility depends on cloud cover and trajectory.
Local observers with clear skies may spot the rocket’s ascent from Vero Beach to Port St. Lucie, with the contrail visible for hours afterward. Late-night launches offer unique photo opportunities, as the rocket’s engines illuminate the dark sky. For those unable to view the launch in person, NASA+ content is available through Amazon Prime Video.
The launch comes as SpaceX continues its rapid pace of missions from Florida, with the company planning additional flights in the coming weeks. No specific details about the satellite’s mission were included in the official launch window announcement, but the payload is expected to support SiriusXM’s communications services.
For updates or questions about the launch, readers can contact USA TODAY Network Space Reporters Rick Neale at [email protected], Brooke Edwards at [email protected], or Eric Lagatta at [email protected].