Early risers and skywatchers on Florida's Space Coast have a reason to set their alarms: SpaceX is targeting a 3:42 a.m. liftoff Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with a window stretching to 5:18 a.m. if any delays arise. The Falcon 9 rocket will rise to the northeast from Launch Complex 40, carrying three AST SpaceMobile satellites — BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 — into low-Earth orbit for the space-based cellular-broadband company.
The mission marks the 50th orbital launch of 2026 from Florida's Space Coast, a milestone that underscores just how busy Cape Canaveral has become. Spectators in Brevard County should have decent odds of a clear view: the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron placed the probability of favorable conditions at 85%, though lingering anvil clouds, thick cloud layers from daytime convection, and potential onshore cumulus clouds remain as meteorological wild cards.
Once the satellites are on their way, the Falcon 9's first-stage booster — on its 30th flight — will attempt a landing on SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles downrange. SpaceX's live webcast is expected to begin roughly 15 minutes before liftoff.
Florida Today's Space Team will post live launch coverage updates beginning about 90 minutes before the window opens, along with a countdown clock and the SpaceX webcast feed. This story is based on reporting by Florida Today.
