Florida
What to know: Saturday SpaceX rocket launch from Florida on Super Bowl weekend
News in 90: Mayfield election, SpaceX doubleheader and Aldrin Verizon
FLORIDA TODAY’s Rob Landers brings you some of today’s top local headlines on the News in 90 Seconds.
After postponing from Friday afternoon, the Space Coast is set to see a Saturday afternoon rocket launch!
SpaceX has confirmed the SpaceX Starlink 12-9 mission is set to liftoff at 1:23 p.m. EST, but back up opportunities exist until 5:08 p.m. if needed. Liftoff will be from Cape Canaveral, Space Launch Complex 40.
And those in South Florida have more to look forward to this weekend than watching the Super Bowl.
With the payload being in the Group 12 Starlink satellites, the rocket will travel on a southeast trajectory. Those south of Cape Canaveral should get an afternoon show, as the Falcon 9 rocket rumbles by.
The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron has predicted a 95% chance of favorable conditions for this launch window.
No sonic booms will be heard. Eight and a half minutes after liftoff the rocket’s first stage will target landing out on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed out on the Atlantic Ocean.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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