Double Rocket Blitz: SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites This Week!
SpaceX plans twin Falcon 9 launches from Florida's Space Coast on Aug 27-28, deploying 56 Starlink satellites. Here's how to watch.
Double Rocket Blitz: SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites This Week!
Space enthusiasts, gear up for an exhilarating week! SpaceX is set for double launches from Florida’s Space Coast, promising an electrifying spectacle for viewers on the ground. The Falcon 9 rockets are scheduled to echo through the skies on back-to-back days: August 27 and August 28, 2025, from the iconic Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, depending on the weather conditions, of course. Floridians and visitors alike can expect an exciting two days filled with the roar of rockets and shimmering trails in the atmosphere.
As Florida Today reports, the first launch kicks off on Wednesday morning, between 6:53 a.m. and 10:53 a.m. ET, with the Falcon 9 carrying 28 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40. Notably, this rocket’s first-stage booster is set to touch down on the drone ship, Just Read the Instructions, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Launch Details Unveiled
The following day, Thursday, August 28, another Falcon 9 launch is primed for blast-off from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Scheduled between 1:27 a.m. and 5:27 a.m. ET, this second launch will also deliver 28 Starlink satellites into orbit, echoing Tuesday’s mission. Its first-stage booster is slated for a 30th successful landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas.
Notably, both missions are expected to ascend on northeasterly trajectories, with no sonic booms anticipated for the day. This exciting sequence of events represents the 72nd and 73rd orbital launches of 2025 from Florida’s Space Coast, contributing to a record-setting year—which previously peaked at 72 launches in 2023 and a whopping 93 in the year prior, according to Touchdown Wire.
Best Viewing Spots
If you’re eyeing a front-row seat, Brevard County offers prime viewing locations that stretch from Daytona Beach to Melbourne Beach—and, in some instances, as far south as West Palm Beach. Residents and visitors are encouraged to arrive early, as traffic is likely to swell ahead of these thrilling launches. Popular spots include Jetty Park Beach and Pier, Playalinda Beach, and the ever-reliable Space View Park. Parks on Merritt Island are also excellent choices for watching these monumental events.
However, not all may be smooth sailing when it comes to the weather. The National Weather Service currently forecasts a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms on August 27, mainly after 2 p.m., with a 50% possibility on August 28. But don’t let that dampen your spirits! A little rain seldom bothers a seasoned rocket watcher.
Looking ahead, SpaceX isn’t stopping its ambitious plans right after these two launches. Another Starlink mission is being targeted for August 31, with a slightly more generous launch window from 7:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Should these launches go off without a hitch, they’ll round out an electrifying few days for the entire Space Coast.
For those who can’t make it in person, live coverage will kick off 90 minutes before each launch, letting gallant space enthusiasts catch every moment. Head to Florida Today for updates and to prepare for an unforgettable experience under the dazzling Florida sky.