Florida SpaceX Rocket Launch from Kennedy Space Center

The Space Coast in Florida enjoyed an unusual break from launches during the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday, but activity is ramping up again with a planned overnight launch. Earlier this year, the region celebrated a major milestone with more than 100 rocket launches within a single year.

The next launch is scheduled from Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites, planned for late Sunday night into early Monday. The launch is operated by the private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.

Launches typically occur from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Residents and visitors in Brevard County have the best opportunities to witness the spectacle. Visibility can extend, weather permitting, as far north as Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, and Daytona Beach, and as far south as Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, and Boynton Beach. A recent Atlas V launch was even visible from West Palm Beach, roughly 150 miles away.

Nighttime or early morning launches offer unique photo opportunities, as the illuminated rocket and its contrail stand out against the dark sky. Below are details about the upcoming launch and recommended viewing locations.

Next Launch Details

• Date: Monday, December 1, 2025
• Mission: SpaceX Starlink 6-86
• Rocket: Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites
• Launch Window: Midnight to 4 a.m. ET
• Launch Site: Launch Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Live coverage begins 90 minutes prior to liftoff at floridatoday.com/space with updates, countdown clocks, and expert commentary from FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team. The free FLORIDA TODAY app also provides live updates and coverage.

Recommended Viewing Spots on the Space Coast

For the best perspectives of the launch, beaches along Brevard County provide clear views, and some locations offer sightings of returning boosters:

• Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore
• Jetty Park Beach, Port Canaveral
• Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park, Titusville
• Sand Point Park, Titusville
• Riverfront Park, Cocoa & Cocoa Village
• Kiwanis Park, Merritt Island
• Cocoa Beach area: Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach Pier, Lori Wilson Park, Sidney Fischer Park
• Melbourne area: Front Street Park, Indialantic Boardwalk, Paradise Beach Park

Viewing Beyond Brevard County

Indian River County

• Sebastian Inlet State Park
• Wabasso Beach Park
• Ambersands Beach Park, Vero Beach
• South Beach Park, Vero Beach
• Merrill Barber Bridge, Vero Beach
• Alma Lee Loy Bridge, Vero Beach

St. Lucie County

• Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
• Blind Creek Beachside North and South
• Blue Heron Beach
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Park
• Dollman Park Beachside, Jensen Beach
• Herman's Bay Beach, Jensen Beach
• John Brooks Park Beachside
• Middle Cove Beach
• Pepper Park Beachside
• Walton Rocks Beach
• Waveland Beach

Martin County

• State Road A1A causeway, Stuart
• House of Refuge and nearby beach, Stuart

Volusia County

Immediately north of Brevard, along the coast of Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, beach locations provide excellent views of launches. Recommended sites include:

• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore)
• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, New Smyrna Beach
• Apollo Beach, Canaveral National Seashore
• Oak Hill riverfront locations: Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House, Seminole Rest, Riverbreeze Park, Mary Dewees Park, Nancy Cummings Park, Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, Bird Observation Pier
• Beaches along New Smyrna Beach, New Smyrna Beach Inlet, Halifax Harbor Marina, Ormond-by-the-Sea, George R. Kennedy Memorial Park, Edgewater

For live updates, schedules, and detailed viewing guides, visit floridatoday.com/space. Local weather radar can also help determine visibility and launch feasibility in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and surrounding areas.

Author: Sophia Brooks