What time is SpaceX rocket launch today from Cape Canaveral, Florida?

A. i.e. florida The deed is coming: A Falcon 9 rocket will blast into the sky and send a group of internet satellites into orbit.

If all goes as planned, this will be another successful Starlink mission for SpaceX, and it’s possible that people watching the rocket launch live outside will see it zip by. The launch is tentatively planned for Saturday evening, February 21.

Rockets here launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida, or the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and people in Brevard County and surrounding areas often have the chance to see this phenomenon in the sky. Friends in Volusia County to our north or Florida’s Treasure Coast to our south may also do so, depending on weather, cloud cover and launch trajectory. Sometimes a rocket is launched Cape Canaveral can be seen as far south as West Palm Beach.

When there is a launch window at night or very early in the morning, there is an opportunity to take unique photographs; The rocket lights up the dark sky and the trail of smoke that follows makes for a great photo.

Any rocket launches today? Upcoming NASA, SpaceX and ULA launch schedule in Florida

Below is more information on the next rocket launch from Florida and suggestions for where to watch in person (or virtually via the USA TODAY Network’s Space Team).

For questions or comments, email our space reporters Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com, Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com, or Eric Lagatta at elagatta@usatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit: floridatoday.com/space.

When is the next rocket launch to Florida? Saturday, February 21, 2026: SpaceX Starlink 6-104

• Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will lift 29 Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit.

• Lunch window: (night) From Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 21:04 ET until Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 01:04 ET

• Launch orbit: Southeast

• Launch location: Launch Complex 40 from the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida

• Sonic booms on Florida’s Space Coast (Titusville, Merritt Island, Melbourne area): NO

• Live broadcast starts 90 minutes before departure floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from the USA TODAY Network Space Team, which includes FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide the latest updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, starting 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. You can download or type in the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play. floridatoday.com/space enter your browser.

Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida today? Will the weather cancel the rocket launch?

Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar showing conditions in real time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. This radar will come in handy if you are outside watching the launch and need real-time weather. The current date and time is shown at the bottom right of this radar overlay; otherwise you may need to clear your cache.

Where to watch the SpaceX Florida rocket launch from Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne?

You’ll see rocket launches just about anywhere in Brevard. Spectacular view of SpaceX’s returning rocket boosters to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the coast. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should be careful not to obstruct traffic or rights of way on bridges and follow posted rules at beaches.

If you’re watching the launch from Space View Park or Parrish Park along the Indian River in Titusville, look east directly across the river.

If you’re farther south along the Indian River, look northeast.

Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to watch the launch as it is nearly parallel to Launch Pad 39A. At the beach, look south along the shoreline (at some points you can even see the pad).

Some hot spots to check out:

• Jetty Park Beach and Pier400 Pier Park Road, Port Canaveral. Attention, parking is paid.

• Playalinda Beach1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note that parking is chargeable and access to Canaveral National Seashore is not always available depending on capacity and time of day.

• Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note that there is parking on both sides of the Max Brewer Bridge.

• Space View Park8 Broad St., Titusville

• Sand Point Park10 E. Max Brewer Pass, Titusville

• Rotary Riverside Park4141 S. Washington Boulevard, Titusville

• Riverside Park in Cocoa Village401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)

• Doner Park1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island

• Kiwanis Park On Kiwanis Island Parkway in Merritt Island

• Port Canaveralwith Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean ships in the port

• Alan Shepard Park299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Please note that parking costs may apply.

• Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.

• Lori Wilson Park1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. By the way, there is a dog park at Lori Wilson Park.

• Sydney Fischer Park2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Please note that parking costs may apply.

• Cocoa Beach in the City CenterAlong Minutemen Parade

• Tables Beach197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach

• tides At SR A1A in Satellite Beach

• Various parksIncluding the Pelican Beach Clubhouse at Satellite Beach

• Front Street Park (US 192) Causeway near Melbourne and US 1 in Melbourne

• Indo-Alantic boardwalk At Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A

• Paradise Beach Parkaka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a waterfront park)

• Sebastian Entrance Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (admission fee)

Where to watch a rocket launch in Vero Beach, Florida?

• Sebastian Inlet State Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida (admission fee)

• Wabasso Beach Park1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso, Florida

• Ambersands Beach Park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking)

• South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking)

• Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida

• Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida

Where to watch the rocket launch at Jensen Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida?

• Fort Pierce Inlet State Park905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Blind Creek Beachfront North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Blue Heron Beach2101 Blue Heron Boulevard, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Frederick Douglass Memorial Park3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Dollman Park Beachside9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida

• Herman Bay Beach7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida

• John Brooks Park Waterfront3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Orta Bay Beach4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach, Florida

• Pepper Park Beachside3302 N.SR A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida

• Walton Cliffs Beach6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida (dog park)

• Wave Country Beach10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida

Where to watch a rocket launch near Stuart, Florida?

• State Highway A1A crossing in Stuart, Florida

• Shelter and beach301 SE MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart, Florida

Where to see the Florida rocket launch in Daytona Beach in the New Smyrna Beach area?

You can get a great view in Volusia County (home to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station), just north of Brevard County. SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch. The best views from here to watch a rocket launch are along the beach. Look south. Recommended points:

• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore)

• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach is located 3.6 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and 1 mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park.

• Apollo Beach -most Canaveral National Seashore (South of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore stretches along Florida’s East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249 and then head east until you turn onto State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.

• Oak Hill riverfront This Southernmost city in Southern Volusia County.

• Sunrise Park275 River Road, Oak Hill

• Goodrich’s Seafood and Oyster House rear deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill

• Seminole Rest national historic site211 River Road, Oak Hill

• Riverbreeze Park250 HH Burch Road, Oak Hill

• Mary Dewees Park178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill

• Nancy Cummings Park232 Cummings St., Oak Hill

• Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park275 River Road, Oak Hill

• AC Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier243 River Road, Oak Hill

• Bird Watching Pier On River Road across from the AC Delbert Municipal Pier (see above)

• rose bay in Port Orange, Florida

• beaches Along New Smyrna Beach, Florida

• New Smyrna Beach EntranceNew Smyrna Beach lifeguard station

• Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida

• Ormond by the Sea in Ormond Beach, Florida

• George R. Kennedy Memorial Park in Edgewater, Florida

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This article first appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launches rocket to Florida. What time does Cape Canaveral depart?