United Launch Alliance successfully launched its Vulcan Centaur rocket early Thursday morning, carrying a national security payload for the U.S. Space Force on the USSF-87 mission.
Liftoff occurred at 4:22 AM ET from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, about midway through a two-hour window that opened at 3:30 AM.
SpaceX and NASA have pushed back the launch of its Crew-12 mission for the second time this week, citing weather concerns along the ascent corridor the rocket will follow on its path to orbit.
One down, ten to go: United Launch Alliance launched an Atlas V 551 this morning from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral in partly cloudy cool winter skies. Launch was at the top of the window, 3:28 AM ET.
Aboard the venerable rocket were 27 Amazon Leo satellites, which will now join the other 152 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) as Amazon begins building its orbital-based Internet service offering. The company plans for over 3,200 in its full constellation, aiming for initial service by early 2026.
“One of our primary missions at ULA is to be a catalyst in connecting the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Atlas and Vulcan programs. “Partnering with Amazon contributes to their mission of bridging the global digital gap. We thank the Amazon Leo team for their continued collaboration.”
Trajectory was northeastward, at roughly 44-45º, aiming for a final orbit inclination of around 51.9º at roughly 630 km (391 miles.)
Tonight’s launch leaves only ten Atlas V’s remaining: six for Starliner, four more for Amazon Leo. The rocket has been in service for over 23 years, since its inaugural launch on August 21, 2002. Originally designed and developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force’s EELV program, with manufacturing/operations later consolidated under ULA. It has launched over 100 missions to date, but will be replaced by the new ULA-designed Vulcan rocket.
Go for Launch Kennedy Space Center • LC-39A
| Mission | Starlink Group 6-99 (29 satellites) |
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Launch Site | Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA |
| Pad | Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) |
| Window Opens | Wednesday, 12/17/2025 • 7:19:00 AM (ET) |
| Window Closes | Wednesday, 12/17/2025 • 11:19:00 AM (ET) |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Status Info | Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Mission Description | A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system. |
| Countdown (to window open) | — |
The Space Force doesn’t do press viewing for Starlink launches, a good thing since there are so many of them. That said, there are some really interesting views from public viewing spots, like this one on 528W in Cape Canaveral. Click here to see my favorite public viewing spots.
SpaceX added to its roster of Starlink satellites when it launched the Starlink Group 6-90 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Liftoff was at 3:26 PM ET and into clear skies with temperatures hovering around 70ºF (21ºC)
SpaceX launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on December 9, 2025, aboard Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 02:16:25pm ET into leaden skies, with the rocket quickly behind the clouds, probably much to the delight of NRO. The launch direction was northeast.
At T+08:17s was NROL-77 was in its initial orbit and roughly eleven seconds later, Booster 1096 returned to land safely at LZ-2 inside Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at T+08:28s.
The Department of the Air Force has officially signed off on a plan that lets SpaceX redevelop Space Launch Complex 37 for Starship and Super Heavy operations.
Their Record of Decision lays out how the company can rebuild the pad, transport hardware, and eventually fly and land the massive booster and ship right here on the Space Coast.
The approval covers everything from construction work to vehicle processing to road upgrades. Phillips Parkway and Old A1A inside Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will be widened so Starship hardware can move between the Cape and Kennedy Space Center.
The Air Force says there is no practical alternative to building at SLC-37, but it requires a long list of safeguards. Environmental controls were the most prominent conditions, including dust control, flood and hurricane resilience, noise-reduction systems, wildlife protections, historic-site monitoring, stormwater controls, and plans for wetlands and habitat restoration.
SpaceX must also cover the costs of any permanent habitat loss and follow strict rules for species such as the southeastern beach mouse, the Florida scrub-jay, and the gopher tortoise.
Residents can expect traffic controls during construction and high-profile launches, continued public notifications for loud events and sonic booms, and a dedicated process for handling damage claims. The document also outlines how SpaceX and the Space Force will coordinate with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and nearby agencies to minimize disruptions.
With the decision signed on November 20, 2025, the path is now open for SpaceX to add Starship to Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy on the Eastern Range, marking another major expansion of launch activity on the Space Coast. The final lease agreement, pad construction and last but not least, Starship completing its development phase still remain, of course, so it will be a while before Starship launches here…but it won’t be a very long while.
See also: Department of the Air Force Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement For Starship At SLC-37
The Department of the Air Force has released its long-awaited Final Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX’s plan to bring Starship–Super Heavy operations to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 214-page report, published this week, clears a major hurdle for the company as it pushes to launch and land its next-generation rocket from Space Launch Complex-37.
The proposal would turn the old Delta IV pad into a fully rebuilt launch site capable of hosting up to 76 Starship flights a year. Each mission would include a booster landing just minutes after liftoff and a Starship landing hours—or in some cases years—after launch. In short, the skies above the Space Coast are going to be very busy.
The review concludes that the project would bring no major environmental obstacles across most categories.
Still, two issues stand out: air quality and noise.
The EIS points to significant community annoyance from Starship’s noise and sonic booms, especially during nighttime launches. While the report says structural damage is unlikely, the sound levels will be noticeable across the Space Coast on launch days. SpaceX plans to use heavy sound-suppression systems and coordinate public notifications in advance. Sonic booms from returning boosters and Starship itself will be endemic, day or night.
| Source / Environment | dBA |
|---|---|
| Jet engine at 100′ | 140 |
| Pain Begins | 125 |
| Pneumatic chipper at ear | 120 |
| Chain saw at 3′ | 110 |
| Power mower | 107 |
| Cape Canaveral – Starship/Superheavy Max | 98 |
| Brightline at 100′ | 95 |
| Airpods on 5/10 | 94 |
| Titusville – Starship/Superheavy Max | 93 |
| Cocoa Beach – Starship/Superheavy Max | 92 |
| Rockledge – Starship/Superheavy Max | 90 |
| Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss | 80-90 |
| City Traffic | 85 |
| Many household appliances | 80 |
| Chamber music, in a small auditorium | 75-85 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 75 |
| Normal conversation | 60-70 |
| Business Office | 60-65 |
| Household refrigerator | 55 |
| Suburban area at night | 40 |
| Whisper | 25 |
| Quiet natural area with no wind | 20 |
| Threshold of hearing | 0 |
Sustained Exposure Hearing Loss: the common benchmark for this threshold is an 8-hour time-weighted average exposure to 85 dBA on a repeated basis. The time exposure for a Starship launch will be measured in minutes.
During operations, the rocket’s emissions are expected to exceed federal insignificance thresholds for nitrogen oxides. The Air Force and SpaceX plan to use an adaptive management strategy, reviewing new data as operations ramp up.
The review found:
| Category | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Traffic | Increases during construction and launch days are manageable. |
| Local Wildlife | Southeastern beach mouse and Florida scrub-jay will be protected through relocation and habitat restoration plans. |
| Water Resources | Wetlands will see construction impacts, but all fall under federal permitting and mitigation requirements. |
| Historic Sites | Expected to remain unaffected, with ongoing monitoring for potential noise-related impacts. |
| Marine Areas | No long-term closures; only short safety zones during launches. |
Source: SpaceX Starship/Superheavy CCSFS Final Environmental Impact Statement (PDF)
Overall, the report concludes that the project can proceed without causing significant long-term environmental harm, provided mitigation measures remain in place.
The Air Force must still issue its Record of Decision, and the FAA will release its own determination before any Starship launches or landings take place at the site. Airspace-closure details are still being finalized, with additional FAA analysis expected. At the same time, this was one of the major hurdles the SpaceX project had to clear on its way to becoming a reality.
When approved, the redevelopment of SLC-37 would position Cape Canaveral as a major operational hub for Starship activity, supporting national security missions, commercial flights, and NASA needs. SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility will work in tandem with the SpaceX Eastern Range facility to support the giant spacecraft.
As a company, SpaceX moves quickly. Once approved, it is unlikely the company will delay construction at LC-37, and once started, the work will proceed rapidly until the facility is ready for its initial use. In Boca Chica, SpaceX has constructed Starship launch and landing facilities in months, as opposed to the multi-year efforts NASA has had with SLS. It is reasonable to expect much the same here in Florida.
Oddly, SLC-37 may not be the first Starship pad to enter service on the Space Coast. Given its construction lead, that distinction is likely to go to LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The FAA is still finalizing its Environmental Impact Study for that facility, but SpaceX has been steadily constructing its Starship launch pad on the KSC site.
By Mark Stone, Florida Media Now: A 71-year-old Chinese-born Canadian citizen, Xiao Guang Pan, has entered a guilty plea in a federal case involving unauthorized drone flights over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
According to court documents, Pan traveled to the U.S. on a tourist visa in early January and used a DJI Mavic Pro 3 drone to capture nearly 2,000 photos and videos—more than 250 of which showed military infrastructure including submarine docks, munitions bunkers, payload processing buildings and security checkpoints on federal defense property. A naval base located on the Cape Canaveral station frequently sees the comings and goings of US Nuclear submarines via the main channel of Port Canaveral.
A criminal information filed February 13, 2025, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida charges Pan with three counts of “using an aircraft for the unlawful photographing of a defense installation without authorization.” Each count carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Federal investigators reviewed flight logs showing Pan launched the drone on nine separate occasions between January 5 and 7. On January 5, from several miles away, he recorded two videos and 21 photos of launch complexes and contractor facilities using a telephoto lens. The following day, he moved closer, capturing an additional nine videos and 166 photographs from different angles—a day later, on January 7, Pan launched the drone from Class D controlled airspace outside the CCSFS restricted zone without FAA authorization, seizing images of roads, power lines, mission control buildings, fuel and munitions storage, and submarine infrastructure.
Pan maintained that he was unaware the drone was near a military installation, claiming it sent no alerts. But screenshots from his phone showed satellite images pinpointing “Cape Canaveral Space Force Station” at his takeoff point, and the drone’s flight data confirmed he did in fact receive violation warnings as he flew the drone. Pan maintains an Instagram account with dozens of photos of architecture and landscapes taken with his drone.
The investigation involved agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the FBI, FAA, CBP, Federal Air Marshals, NASA’s OIG, and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. In his plea agreement, Pan acknowledged these details and agreed to the terms; prosecutors noted the document “does not include … all the events, persons involved, or other information relating to this case”.
Pan was released from custody to return to Ontario for medical treatment, citing concerns related to his coronary artery disease and diabetes.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2025, in Orlando. If sentenced to the maximum for all counts, Pan could face up to three years in prison and fines totaling $300,000.
Concerns about drones spying on sensitive US facilities have heightened in the last year following a wave of suspicious drone sightings across the country. Even though most of those sightings have turned out to be hobbyists legally flying their drones, authorities remain concerned about spying by the Chinese. DJI, who makes the type of drone used by Pan, has been said by some to relay information to Chinese intelligence sources. That concern led to a ban on the use of DJI products by US agencies. Even so, DJI remains one of the most popular drone manufacturers in the world among hobbyists.
Talk of Titusville is republishing this story with permission from Florida Media Now, who is responsible for the content.
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 this afternoon. Liftoff was at 5:04 PM EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The flight was nominal, and Booster B1076, which completed its 20th successful mission when it touched down offshore near The Bahamas on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions.’
About 20 seconds after the successful touchdown of B1076, the second stage and payload achieved orbit. About one hour after liftoff, the second stage will fire up for a roughly two second burn in order to circularize the spacecraft’s orbit, and after that, the payload will be deployed.
21 Starlink Mini v2 telecommunications satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink division. The Starlink constellation of satellites provides Internet connectivity to more than 118 countries, territories, and other markets around the world, reaching all 7 continents and oceans. As of December 2024, Starlink reported that they have more than 4.6 million customers worldwide.
SpaceX plans to launch SpainSat NG-1 aboard Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center.
A wave of thunderstorms passed through the Cape Canaveral area around 90 minutes before liftoff Saturday, forcing SpaceX to stand down from its launch attempt today.
The company said in a latter post on X.com that they would try again tomorrow, but with a 90% Probability of Violation and an approaching tropical system off of Florida’s west coast, the chances of that don’t seem very high. Monday’s forecast is equally squirrelly as the system is forecast to arc through northern Florida, creating storm squalls and windy conditions across the state.
On the other hand, it’s Florida and the weather here can be unpredictable. So, we’ll see when SpaceX can get this launch off of the pad.
—————-
SpaceX is planning to launch Falcon 9 carrying the NG-21 ISS Resupply mission for Northrup Grumman. Liftoff Saturday morning is set 11:28 AM EDT (1538Z) in an instantaneous window from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
SpaceX plans for the booster to return and land at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral. The Space Coast will hear a sonic boom from the booster as it herald’s its return, which should happen approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff.
Weather is a major concern for this launch, as a tropical disturbance’s passing to the west in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rains to the Space Coast over the weekend. Current forecasts are calling for weather to arrive sometime Saturday, so the timing of the storm coupled with the normal storm activity of Florida in summer leaves forecasters calling the chances of acceptable weather a coin flip with a 50% chance of a Probability of Violation at launch time.
Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus (S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee) cargo spacecraft, loaded with scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment.
According to NASA, the payload includes:
The forecast at launch time looks relatively benign:
| Temperature | 28.9°C |
| Humidity | ~65% |
| Precipitation | None, Probably |
| Cloud cover | Variable |
| Windspeed (at ground level) | 10-15 MPH / 4.5-6.7 m/s |
| Visibility | ~16.5 miles / 27.0 km |
The 45th Weather Squadron’s discussion in their launch forecast mentions the tropical system noted above. “All eyes will remain on Potential Tropical Cyclone Four (PTC 4) as it lifts out of the Greater Antilles and into the Gulf of Mexico. The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center has the system becoming a named storm Saturday and skirting the western Florida Peninsula Sunday, potentially making landfall as a Tropical Storm anywhere from the Florida Big Bend to southwest Florida.
Regardless of where the center of the storm makes landfall, the Space Coast will be on the eastern side of the system, and weather is likely to deteriorate with time from Saturday afternoon into Sunday. For the initial launch window, scattered showers are expected to approach the coastline out of the southeast and potentially move onshore.”
Their primary concerns that could necessitate a delay are: the Cumulus Cloud Rule, Surface Electric Fields Rule, and Thick Cloud Layers Rule.
Northeastwards.
The booster used for this mission, B1080, will land at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: NG-21 Mission. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about five minutes before liftoff.
NASA’s launch coverage begins at 11:00 AM EDT on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com is the best source of information. Starlink launch times change from time to time, and the company generally updates their website within minutes of the decision to change the launch time. This is very handy if none of the streaming options on YouTube have started their broadcasts.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
This morning’s planned launch is from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, which means that the best direct views of liftoff are:
Banana River Bridge on FL-528 W near Port Canaveral, where you will be able to see ignition, liftoff and the booster landing. Free.
Kennedy Space Center Vistor’s Center. From Apollo/Saturn V Center. Premium Launch Transportation Ticket. Bleacher seating is available, expert commentary, and closer view of the launch from across Banana Creek. Landing is pretty far away, relatively speaking. $70 for the launch viewing ticket plus entrance fees and parking. If you choose this go very early — lines will be long!
The southern parks on US-1 / S. Washington Avenue in Titusville. Kennedy Point Park and Rotary Riverview Park (among others) are your best bets for free viewing sites. These sites will be great for the launch, but not as good for the landing.
There are several excellent viewing spots for SLC-40 launches that offer indirect views — meaning you won’t see the rocket until it clears obstructions such as trees, buildings, even a storm berm in one case.
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore should be open to spectators until 8 PM EDT, that is if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. Generally, they have been, but security concerns can differ for each launch. It opens to visitors at 6 AM.
This is a popular place, so if you go, go early.
Call ahead to be sure they are open..
Cape Canaveral National Seashore • Playalinda Beach
Phone: (386) 428-3384 x0
Current operating hours: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember these general tips. Some may not apply to this particular launch.
Be prepared for potential changes or pushbacks in the launch schedule, and keep up by monitoring the live stream links mentioned above.
SpaceX states on their website, “This is the tenth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, and four Starlink missions.”
That’s Booster B1080.
| Booster B1080 | ||
| Flight Number | Mission | Date |
| 1 | Axiom-2 | May 21, 2023 |
| 2 | Euclid | July 1, 2023 |
| 3 | Starlink 6-11 | August 27 2023 |
| 4 | Starlink 6-24 | October 22, 2023 |
| 5 | Axiom-3 | January 18, 2024 |
| 6 | CRS-30 | March 21, 2024 |
| 7 | Starlink 6-52 | April18, 2024 |
| 8 | Starlink 6-62 | May 23, 2024 |
| 9 | Astra 1P / SES-24 | June 20, 2024 |
| Hr/Min/Sec | Event |
|---|---|
| 00:38:00 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load |
| 00:35:00 | RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins |
| 00:35:00 | 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins |
| 00:16:00 | 2nd stage LOX loading begins |
| 00:07:00 | Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch |
| 00:01:00 | Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks |
| 00:01:00 | Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins |
| 00:00:45 | SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch |
| 00:00:03 | Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start |
| 00:00:00 | Falcon 9 liftoff |
| Hr/Min/Sec | Event |
|---|---|
| 00:01:08 | Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |
| 00:02:18 | 1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) |
| 00:02:22 | 1st and 2nd stages separate |
| 00:02:30 | 2nd stage engine starts (SES-1) |
| 00:02:35 | Boostback Burn Starts |
| 00:02:58 | Fairing deployment |
| 00:03:24 | Boostback Burn Ends |
| 00:06:17 | 1st stage entry burn start |
| 00:06:34 | 1st stage entry burn ends |
| 00:07:24 | 1st stage landing burn start |
| 00:07:31 | 1st stage landing |
| 00:08:33 | 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) |
| 00:14:35 | Cygnus Deploys |
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