Florida
SpaceX launch could spark sonic booms in Central Florida. Here’s what to expect
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Much of Central Florida could hear sonic booms on Thursday morning amid another SpaceX launch.
SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, taking the Maxar 2 mission into orbit, according to company officials.
Thursday’s launch window runs from 9-10 a.m., with a backup opportunity available on Friday at 9 a.m.
When the launch does happen, Falcon 9′s first-stage booster is expected to land on SpaceX’s landing zone at the Space Force station about eight minutes after liftoff, a release from SpaceX states.
As a result, residents in the following counties could hear one or more sonic booms during the landing:
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Brevard County
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Indian River County
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Okeechobee County
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Orange County
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Osceola County
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Polk County
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Seminole County
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St. Lucie County
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Volusia County
“What residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions,” SpaceX said.
This won’t be the first time that a space launch prompted sonic booms in the region.
When the Ax-3 crew returned back in February, many Central Florida residents reported hearing a sonic boom as the crew plummeted down toward Earth.
As boosters and spacecraft fall through the atmosphere at supersonic speeds, they spark shockwaves that travel through the air — sometimes heard by people on the ground as a sonic boom.
For Thursday’s launch, the 45th Weather Squadron is forecasting a mere 20% chance of weather getting in the way. That falls to only 10% if pushed to Friday.
Either way, News 6 will stream the launch live at the top of this story when it happens.
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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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