1.01.2026
First Florida SpaceX rocket launch of 2026 set for Sunday
After capping off the year with a new Florida launch record, SpaceX will kick off 2026 with a weekend Falcon 9 rocket launch.
It's been a quiet few weeks over the holiday season as the last Space Coast launch was Dec. 17. This left the 2025 record sitting at 109. While it was a record launch year for Florida, it was a record year for SpaceX as well. Florida-based Falcon 9 rockets accounted for 101 of those 109 launches.
Now with a fresh year on the horizon, it remains to be seen how many launches Cape Canaveral will witness in 2026.
Fittingly, the first launch of the year will be SpaceX. The Falcon 9 is set to take off no earlier than the first hours of Sunday, Jan. 4. SpaceX has stated the launch window runs from midnight until 3:17 a.m. on Jan. 4. from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The mission, titled Starlink 6-88, is the latest batch of 29 Starlink internet satellites. After leaving the launch pad, the rocket will fly southeast, giving those south of the Cape a chance of good nighttime views.
SpaceX pauses rockets launches from Pad 39A
Unfortunately, those who prefer launches from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are in for a wait.
Kiko Dontchev, VP of Launch at SpaceX, recently stated on X that SpaceX launches will occur from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the time being to allow the team to prepare Pad 39A as the future Starship launch site. While the Starship tower has been standing for years at the site, launch pad construction is still underway.
"Worth noting that SL6-99 was also our last single stick from 39A for some time as we put full focus on Falcon Heavy launches and ramping Starship from the Cape!" wrote Dontchev on Dec. 17, referring to Florida's last launch from the site, Starlink 6-99.
While test flights in Texas have been ongoing for years, SpaceX recently got the green light to launch its massive Starship from Florida. The fully reusable launch system has been tapped by NASA to deliver the Artemis III crew to the moon's surface − that's if it can meet the 2028 deadline. First up will be Artemis II, which will take a crew around the moon on the Orion spacecraft. That's set for early 2026. NASA's moon landing is targeted for no later than 2028 under the latest executive order. NASA has already reopened the lander contract, seeking an accelerated approach.
Blue Origin, whose Mark II lander is already contracted for later Artemis missions, remains SpaceX's biggest rival. While Blue Origin has proven the first version of its New Glenn rocket, which will launch Mark II, neither company has yet demonstrated their lander capabilities.
As for Dontchev's mention of Falcon Heavy, the company has not announced when Florida will see another launch of the triple Falcon 9 from the site. It's been awhile, as the last time a Falcon Heavy launched from the pad was in October 2024 on the NASA Europa Clipper mission.
Quelle: Florida Today