Falcon 9

Timelapse of Falcon 9 lofting Starlink 6-81 from Cape Canaveral on November 5 Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

On a rare night when two different companies were set to launch hours apart from adjacent launch pads, SpaceX launched Starlink 6-81 from Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:31 pm ET. Falcon 9 flew on a southeasterly trajectory, and completed a trouble-free mission that saw the company deploy another 29 Starlink satellites into the megaconstellation now in low Earth Orbit.

Next up was United Launch Alliance, with the venerable Atlas V on the pad at Space Launch Complex 41. It was set to lift off at 10:24 pm ET, but it was not to be. Everything looked fine until it didn’t, and despite the effort of ULA engineers to solve an issue with a sticky valve, the launch was “Scrubbed […] due to an issue encountered while cycling the booster liquid oxygen tank vent valve during final checkouts.”

ULA added in a statement to the press that “The team will require additional time for troubleshooting and is setting up for a 24-hour recycle.

“The launch is now planned for Thursday Nov. 6th at 10:16 p.m. ET at the opening of a 44-minute window.”

SpaceX Payload

Tonight’s payload for Falcon 9 was 29 Starlink satellites that will now join the other Starlink satellites from Group 6 in the Starlink constellation.

That array of satellites provides Internet connectivity globally to over seven million customers in over 125 countries and territories, spanning all seven continents.

SpaceX Launch Replay

Next Launch

Atlas V 551 | ViaSat-3 F2 (ViaSat-3 EMEA)
OrganizationUnited Launch Alliance
LocationCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
RocketAtlas V 551
PadSpace Launch Complex 41
StatusGo for Launch
Status InfoCurrent T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window OpensThursday, 11 / 06 / 2025 10:16 PM
Window ClosesThursday, 11 / 06 / 2025 11:00 PM
DestinationGeostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission Description The ViaSat-3 is a series of three Ka-band satellites expected to provide very high service speed and flexibility; each ViaSat-3 class satellite targets >1 Tbps of network capacity and can dynamically direct capacity to where customers are located.

As of 12:00 AM Thursday November 6, 2025. Launch assignments and times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult ULA.com for updates.

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Call it a Tourist’s Special: SpaceX will be launching Falcon 9 on another Starlink mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station tomorrow, weather and technicals permitting. UPDATE: Liftoff is now slated for 12:16 PM ET. That’s perfect for visitors as the launch is scheduled to be at a friendly hour for someone with young children in tow.

The payload will be 29 additional Starlink V2 Mini satellites, which will join the Starlink constellation and provide Internet connectivity for over seven million customers worldwide once they are operational.

Booster B1083 will be flying its fifteenth mission. Click here to see the full history of this booster to date.

At A Glance

Details
Mission Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-37 — Go for Launch!
Organization SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider SpaceX — Starlink Division
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Falcon 9
Pad Space Launch Complex 40
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Wednesday, 10/29/2025 12:16 PM
Window Closes Wednesday, 10/29/2025 12:52 PM
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Broadcast Start Time Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before liftoff.
SpaceX Streaming Coverage Watch Live on SpaceX.com
Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage Watch on YouTube – Spaceflight Now Live Stream

As of 3:11 PM Tuesday October 28, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.

Weather

Weather looks good, albeit with the potential of winds at ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’ being an area of concern:

Trajectory

Northeast, on the same path that other Starlink Group 10 launches have flown.

Launch Viewing: In Person

As always, if you plan to watch the launch in person, arrive early and settle in at your chosen location.

Follow the latest launch information on Spaceflight Now’s coverage, as well as SpaceX’s X.com feed and website.

Launch times can and do change quickly, especially when weather is a concern.

Finally, keep in mind that streaming coverage on YouTube or the X platform runs slightly behind the actual countdown — usually about 5-10 seconds. That’s simple physics – it takes some time for the signal to go through the Internet and the servers hosting it. The Next Spaceflight app displays the real countdown, so it is a good choice in the last few minutes.

It does not appear that the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center has any tickets on offer for this launch. Consult their website to be sure.

Playalinda and the rest of Cape Canaveral National Seashore is still closed because of the federal shutdown.

Best Public Viewing Spots for SpaceX Launches from SLC-40 (Cape Canaveral)
Area Spot Distance to SLC-40 Notes
KSC (Ticketed) LC-39 Observation Gantry ~3.4 mi Ticketed (KSCVC bus). Closest public option when offered; limited inventory. KSCVC viewing options.
KSC (Ticketed) Banana Creek / Apollo–Saturn V Center ~6.3 mi Ticketed (KSCVC bus). Seating, restrooms, big screens. KSCVC viewing options.
Canaveral Nat’l Seashore Playalinda Beach (Lots 1–2) ~6–7 mi Entrance fee (NPS). See fees & passes. Hours/road access vary; limited amenities.
Port Canaveral SR-528 Bennett Causeway pull-offs ~11–12 mi Free roadside shoulder; arrive early; bring chairs.
Port Canaveral SR-401 / Port waterfront ~11–13 mi Free public areas; sightlines toward pads; occasional security closures. Port launch viewing info.
Port Canaveral Jetty Park (pier & beach) ~12–13 mi Park fee; restrooms & concessions; popular & crowded. Jetty Park fees/passes.
Cape Canaveral (city) Cherie Down Park ~13–14 mi Free public beach access; small parking lot.
Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach Pier ~17–20 mi Public beach; shops & restrooms; tourist crowds. Parking fees (city).
Cocoa Beach Alan Shepard Park ~18–19 mi Paid parking; restrooms; easy beach access. Parking fees (city).
Cocoa Beach Lori Wilson Park ~19–20 mi Free parking; restrooms & boardwalks; large lot.
Titusville / US-1 Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park ~12–14 mi Free public area; elevated views; fills quickly.
Titusville / US-1 Space View Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; historical displays; occasional audio feeds.
Titusville / US-1 Rotary Riverfront Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; open river views; moderate parking.
Titusville / US-1 Kennedy Point Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; long riverfront; good tripod space.
Titusville / US-1 Space Bar (Rooftop) ~12–14 mi Rooftop bar at Courtyard by Marriott with launch views; seating fills quickly. Hours vary—see official hours.
Note: Distances are approximate straight-line measures. Access, hours, fees, security zones, and closures change by mission—verify on launch day.

Launch Viewing: Online

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 10-37. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about five minutes before liftoff.

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.

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.

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On a bright and sunny but very breezy morning, SpaceX launched another tranche of Starlink Mini V2 satellites to orbit today from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral. Launch was at 11:00 AM ET, and sixty-six minutes later at 12:06 PM ET, SpaceX declared the mission was a success when it announced a successful deployment of all 28 satellites included in the payload.

Falcon 9 and Starlink 10-21 rise as a fine sea mist hugs the wind-beaten surface of the Banana River today. Coupled with the inevitable heat-distortion of shooting through miles of distance between camera and pad, the photo takes on an almost Impressionist view.
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File photo of a typical Falcon 9 Starlink launch from SLC-40. Photo: Charleds Boyer

SpaceX is planning to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 28 Starlink Mini V2 satellites to orbit tomorrow morning fron Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window opens at 10:02 AM ET and closes four hours later at 2:02 PM the same day.

This will 24th flight for B1077, the fourth most flown active booster in SpaceX’s Falcon fleet:

Booster Flights Last Launch Last Mission
B1067 31 flights October 19, 2025 Starlink Group 10-18
B1063 28 flights September 29, 2025 Starlink Group 11-20
B1069 27 flights December 21, 2024 Starlink Group 7-17
B1077 23 flights July 8, 2025 Starlink Group 10-04
B1078 23 flights September 12, 2024 Starlink Group 7-12

As of 12:18 PM Saturday October 25, 2025. Booster flight histories and mission names are based on the latest verified data and are subject to change as new launches occur. Consult SpaceX.com or RocketLaunch.Live for the most current information.

Weather looks…okay…but the odds are in SpaceX’s favor throughout the launch window. For spectators, temperatures around 80ºF with a 40-50% chance of precipitation and winds around 15 MPH are expected. That’s a decent day here down at the coast and it should be a pleasant day.

At A Glance

Details
Mission Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-21 — Go for Launch!
Organization SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider SpaceX — Starlink Division
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Falcon 9
Pad Space Launch Complex 40
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Sunday, 10/26/2025 10:05 AM
Window Closes Sunday, 10/26/2025 2:05 PM
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Broadcast Start Time Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before launch.
SpaceX Streaming Coverage Watch Live on SpaceX.com
Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage Watch on YouTube – Spaceflight Now Live Stream

As of 12:18 PM Saturday October 25, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.

Trajectory

Northeast.

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 has released its Launch Mission Execution Forecast for the flight and says the weather criteria should be 85% GO at the start of the launch window, with chances dropping to 70% GO by the time the launch window closes.

Launch Viewing: In Person

Best Public Viewing Spots for SpaceX Launches from SLC-40 (Cape Canaveral)
Area Spot Distance to SLC-40 Notes
KSC (Ticketed) LC-39 Observation Gantry ~3.4 mi Ticketed (KSCVC bus). Closest public option when offered; limited inventory. KSCVC viewing options.
KSC (Ticketed) Banana Creek / Apollo–Saturn V Center ~6.3 mi Ticketed (KSCVC bus). Seating, restrooms, big screens. KSCVC viewing options.
Canaveral Nat’l Seashore Playalinda Beach (Lots 1–2) ~6–7 mi Entrance fee (NPS). See fees & passes. Hours/road access vary; limited amenities.
Port Canaveral SR-528 Bennett Causeway pull-offs ~11–12 mi Free roadside shoulder; arrive early; bring chairs.
Port Canaveral SR-401 / Port waterfront ~11–13 mi Free public areas; sightlines toward pads; occasional security closures. Port launch viewing info.
Port Canaveral Jetty Park (pier & beach) ~12–13 mi Park fee; restrooms & concessions; popular & crowded. Jetty Park fees/passes.
Cape Canaveral (city) Cherie Down Park ~13–14 mi Free public beach access; small parking lot.
Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach Pier ~17–20 mi Public beach; shops & restrooms; tourist crowds. Parking fees (city).
Cocoa Beach Alan Shepard Park ~18–19 mi Paid parking; restrooms; easy beach access. Parking fees (city).
Cocoa Beach Lori Wilson Park ~19–20 mi Free parking; restrooms & boardwalks; large lot.
Titusville / US-1 Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park ~12–14 mi Free public area; elevated views; fills quickly.
Titusville / US-1 Space View Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; historical displays; occasional audio feeds.
Titusville / US-1 Rotary Riverfront Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; open river views; moderate parking.
Titusville / US-1 Kennedy Point Park ~13–15 mi Free public park; long riverfront; good tripod space.
Titusville / US-1 Space Bar (Rooftop) ~12–14 mi Rooftop bar at Courtyard by Marriott with launch views; seating fills quickly. Hours vary—see official hours.
Note: Distances are approximate straight-line measures. Access, hours, fees, security zones, and closures change by mission—verify on launch day.

The best options are available for spectators: Jetty Park, the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1.

The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.

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.

For a deeper dive for folks from out of town interested in watching the launch in person, read my guide here: Best Viewing Spots for Launches from SpaceX Launches From SLC-40 At Cape Canaveral.

Launch Viewing: Online

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Starlink 10-21. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about five minutes before liftoff.

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.

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.


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File photo of Booster B1076 in flight. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

SpaceX is set to launch Falcon 9 and the SpainSat NH II satellite for Spanish operator hisdeSat this evening. Liftoff is currently slated for 9:30 PM ET (0130Z) with a four hour window. Weather is not expected to pose a problem.

Stripped of legs and hypersonic fins, expect the rocket to look slightly different from normal. That’s because the mission tonight is somewhat unusual, as Booster B1076 will make its 22nd and final flight due to operational requirements — the mission demands are such that it will take every bit of push from the booster to set up Falcon Stage 2 to achieve its desired orbital placement. The last time SpaceX deliberately sent a Falcon 9 booster to a watery grave was in January of this year, when they lofted the SpainSat NG I payload.

At A Glance

Details
Mission Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpainSat NG II — Go for Launch!
Organization SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider Hisdesat / Airbus Defence & Space
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Falcon 9
Pad Space Launch Complex 40
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Thursday, 10/23/2025 9:30 PM
Window Closes Friday, 10/24/2025 1:30 AM
Destination Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission Description Second of two new-generation satellites built by Airbus to provide secure communications to the Spanish government, its allies, and various international organizations.
Broadcast Start Time Coverage begins ~15 minutes before liftoff.
SpaceX Streaming Coverage Watch Live on SpaceX.com
Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage Watch on YouTube – Spaceflight Now Live Stream

As of 7:14 AM Thursday October 23, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.

Trajectory

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 has released their Launch Mission Execution Forecast and weather is expected to be just about as good as it gets for a rocket launch: 95% GO.

Payload

SpainSat NG II is the second spacecraft in Spain’s next-generation secure communications system for government and defense, operated by Hisdesat. Built on Airbus’s Eurostar Neo geostationary platform, it carries a tri-band payload—military X-, Ka-, and UHF—that enables resilient, encrypted links for Spain and partner nations. Airbus (Spain/France) leads the platform and X-band payload, while Thales Alenia Space (Spain/France) provides the military Ka- and UHF-band payloads and integrates the communications module.

The satellite’s payload is designed for flexibility: active X-band antennas with in-orbit reconfiguration, an onboard digital processor that can cross-connect X and Ka services, and a high-speed service link to retask beams rapidly. It’s engineered with advanced anti-jamming features and capabilities to geolocate interference sources—key for contested environments—while providing coverage spanning roughly two-thirds of the Earth from geostationary orbit.

Program-wise, NG II follows SpainSat NG I (launched Jan. 30, 2025) to complete the two-satellite constellation that replaces the legacy SpainSat and XTAR-EUR systems. The pair are stationed at 30° W (NG II) and 29° E (NG I) with a design life on the order of 15 years, and both rideshare Falcon 9 launches to geostationary transfer orbit. Together, they multiply Spain’s protected X/Ka capacity versus earlier satellites while adding a new UHF payload for broader mission flexibility.

Launch Viewing: In Person

Since the launch is after hours at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center, Banana Creek, or the LC-39A Gantry won’t be available. Playalinda would be closed anyway were it not for the government shutdown, so that will not be an option either.

The best free options are available for spectators: Jetty Park, the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1 are your best bets.

The Space Bar will be open at least in the first part of the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral should be open for the initial hour or two of the launch window as well, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood. All have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.

The best free options are available for spectators: Jetty Park, the Banana River Bridge on FL 528 W or the southern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1 are your best bets.

A deeper dive into spectator locations, with maps and distance to the pad can be found here: Best Viewing Spots for Launches from SpaceX Launches From SLC-40 At Cape Canaveral

Launch Viewing: Online

SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: SpainSat NG II. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about fifteen minutes before liftoff.

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.

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SpaceX Kuiper KF-03

After multiple delays due to weather, the skies cooperated this evening for SpaceX, allowing the company to launch Falcon 9 and 24 Kuiper telecommunications satellites for Amazon. Liftoff was at 9:58 PM ET.

After flying straight and true throughout its part of the mission, after staging, Booster B1091-2 landed aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ downrange in the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of the Carolinas at T+ 00:08:18 of the flight.

Meanwhile the second stage and payload continued their ascent until the T+08:30:00 mark when the first second stage shutdown occurred. Another burn is scheduled for the T+00:52:50 mark, and payload deployment is slated to begin shortly after that.

This was the third and final mission for Project Kuiper hardware to launch aboard a Falcon 9, and SpaceX’s 133rd mission for 2025. All-time, SpaceX has flown 546 missions.

Payload

Amazon now has 153 Kuiper spacecraft in orbit.

The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the sixth of a series that aims to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029.

Amazon has publicly committed more than $10 billion to the development and deployment of the Kuiper constellation. The company is building out supporting infrastructure in tandem with the satellites, including user terminals and ground communication sites. The terminals, developed in-house, are designed to be compact and cost-effective. Amazon has said these terminals will support download speeds up to 400 Mbps and will be priced under $400, though full commercial service has not yet begun.

Trajectory

Estimated trajectory of SpaceX Kuiper KF-03.
Estimated trajectory of SpaceX Kuiper KF-03.

Next Launch

Details
Mission Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-52 — Go for Launch!
Organization SpaceX
Customer / Payload Provider SpaceX — Starlink Division
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Falcon 9
Pad Space Launch Complex 40
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Thursday, 10/16/2025 2:42 AM
Window Closes Thursday, 10/16/2025 6:42 AM
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Broadcast Start Time Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before launch.
SpaceX Streaming Coverage Watch Live on SpaceX.com
Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage Watch on YouTube – Spaceflight Now Live Stream

As of 11:48 AM Friday October 10, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.

Launch Replay

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