A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, carrying 29 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch window runs from 11:19 a.m. to 3:19 p.m. ET, with a northeast trajectory. No sonic booms are expected along the Space Coast.
Depending on weather and cloud cover, the launch could be visible across a wide swath of Florida — from as far north as Jacksonville Beach (roughly 160 miles from the pad) to as far south as West Palm Beach (about 150 miles south). As always, the closest and most reliable views will be along the Space Coast in Brevard County.
Some of the best spots to catch the show include Playalinda Beach and Canaveral National Seashore, which sit nearly parallel to the launch pad — look south along the coastline from there. Space View Park and Parrish Park in Titusville offer great Indian River vantage points; face east across the water. Jetty Park Beach and Pier at Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Pier, and Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach are also popular options, though some carry parking fees.
Treasure Coast residents can head to spots like Sebastian Inlet State Park, Wabasso Beach Park, or any of several Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach parks along A1A for a decent view to the north. The rocket's northeast trajectory means people farther south along the coast may have a shorter viewing window, so arriving early and checking sky conditions is a good idea.
Live coverage from the Florida Today and USA TODAY Network Space Team begins 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space, with a countdown clock and real-time updates. This story is based on reporting from Florida Today.
