spacex falcon 9 launch Florida’s Space Coast, renowned for its bustling rocket launch schedule, is set for an exciting series of missions in the coming weeks. With 61 orbital launches already achieved by the end of August, the region is on track to surpass last year’s record of 72 launches. Here’s a roundup of the upcoming launches from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, showcasing a mix of SpaceX and NASA missions, along with a debut flight for Blue Origin.
September Launches: SpaceX and More
Thursday, September 5: SpaceX Starlink 8-11
- Mission: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deploy a batch of 21 Starlink internet satellites, continuing the company’s efforts to expand global broadband coverage.
- Launch Time: 8:35 a.m. EDT (following a scrub on Wednesday)
- Location: Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: Northeast
- Booster Landing: On a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean
- Live Coverage: Begins 90 minutes before launch at Florida Today’s Space Section
No Earlier Than Saturday, September 7: SpaceX Polaris Dawn
- Mission: This mission will see SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carry Shift4 founder Jared Isaacman and three other civilians on the Polaris Dawn mission, which includes the debut of the SpaceX EVA spacesuit and the first spacewalk by a private crew.
- Launch Window: Potentially opening at 3:33 a.m. EDT
- Location: Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center
- Trajectory: Northeast
- Live Coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at Florida Today’s Space Section
Looking Ahead: October and Beyond
Tuesday, September 24: NASA Crew-9
- Mission: The SpaceX Crew-9 mission will ferry NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, and Stephanie Wilson, alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, to the International Space Station. They will be joined by Starliner astronauts in February for the return journey.
- Launch Time: 2:50 p.m. EDT
- Location: Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Live Coverage: Begins two hours before liftoff at Florida Today’s Space Section
Thursday, October 10: SpaceX Falcon Heavy Europa Clipper
- Mission: NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will embark on its mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, aiming to explore its icy surface and subsurface ocean.
- Launch Window: To Be Announced
- Location: Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center
- Live Coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at Florida Today’s Space Section
No Earlier Than Sunday, October 13: Blue Origin New Glenn
- Mission: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket will make its maiden flight, launching NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars.
- Launch Window: To Be Announced
- Location: Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Live Coverage: Begins 90 minutes before liftoff at Florida Today’s Space Section
Stay Updated
For real-time updates and detailed coverage of these launches, visit Florida Today’s Space Section. With a packed schedule ahead, the Space Coast remains at the forefront of space exploration and technology, delivering thrilling advancements and missions.
