SpaceX is planning back-to-back Falcon 9 launches from the Space Coast this week. On both Friday and Saturday mornings, spectators can expect a bright rocket rising into the sky to start off the day.
These launches will come after what’s been a quiet week. The last launch Florida saw was the SpaceX launch of the NG-21 resupply mission for NASA on Sunday — a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft which was successfully captured at the International Space Station early Tuesday.
So far this year, SpaceX has taken the lead by far in launch activity — accounting for 51 of the 55 launches from Florida. With SpaceX returning to back-to-back launch days, it remains to be seen if the Space Coast can break the record of 72 launches set last year.
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When is the next SpaceX launch from Florida?
While SpaceX has yet to confirm, a Federal Aviation Administration warning indicates a launch titled “Starlink 8-3” occurring during a four-and-a-half window which opens at 8:13 a.m. EDT on Friday, August 9.
Meanwhile, a Geospatial Navigational Warnings indicates another four-and-a-half hour launch window beginning at 7:21 a.m. Saturday, August 10.
As these rockets will be carrying the latest batch of Starlink internet satellites, both launches will travel in a northeast trajectory. If conditions are clear, those north of the Cape Canaveral area may get a glimpse of the bright Falcon 9 rocket as well as spectators on the Space Coast.
While SpaceX tends to aim for the beginning of the launch window, various factors — such as the weather at launch and at the first stage landing site — can play a role in timing.
Central Florida sonic booms are not anticipated, as both rocket boosters will land on droneships in the Atlantic Ocean.
Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest updates from the Space Coast.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Launch doubleheader: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral
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