Overnight launch: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to blast off early Wednesday from Cape Canaveral
Night owls rejoice − a middle of the night SpaceX rocket launch is set for early Wednesday.
SpaceX is eyeing an extra-early morning launch for their next Starlink mission. If weather cooperates, the latest batch of Starlink satellites, Starlink 8-9, will liftoff just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
Against the night sky, the Falcon 9 rocket will be brighter than a Fourth of July firework as it blasts off. After dropping off the second stage and payload into space, the Falcon 9 booster will dive down towards a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, where it will land eight and a half minutes later.
When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida
SpaceX has confirmed the existence of this mission, and are targeting a rocket launch at 2:57 a.m. EDT Wednesday, July 3. , however, launch opportunities exist until 5:59 a.m. EDT. As of Tuesday morning, the Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 80 percent chance of favorable weather during this launch window.
The FAA confirms the name of the mission as Starlink 8-9. Being part of the Group 8 satellites, this launch will travel northeast.
Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch coverage updates to be posted on this page, starting 90 minutes before the launch window opens.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon 9 will light up Cape Canaveral sky before Fourth of July
