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SpaceX nighttime rocket launch in Cape Canaveral: What time is liftoff of Starlink satellites?

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1 year ago

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SpaceX nighttime rocket launch in Cape Canaveral: What time is liftoff of Starlink satellites?


SpaceX plans to launch a batch of Starlink satellites — ahead of Halloween night — from the Space Coast of Florida.

Halloween is on Thursday, Oct. 31 — but the Space Coast may get a nice treat the night before.

Less than a week after this coastal area of Florida that’s home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station broke the record for number of orbital rocket launches in a year, there’s another one on the books.

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SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, Oct. 30, to launch another payload of Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Depending on weather and visibility, the Space Coast might see a nice streak in the sky.

The near-Halloween mission follows the Oct. 26 SpaceX rocket launch, which was the Florida Space Coast’s record-breaking 73rd orbital rocket launch of the year. The bulk of the 2024 missions came from SpaceX. In 2023, SpaceX also helped break the record of rocket launches per year — contributing to the 72 launches that were completed near Cape Canaveral.

Below are suggestions on where to watch the rocket launch from this area and other things to know. If there are changes to the launch schedule, this story will be updated.

For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Where can I see a rocket launch in Florida?

Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, the SpaceX rocket launch should be visible from almost anywhere in Brevard County. And minutes after liftoff, there’s typically a rumble. Night launches, in particular, are easier to spot and beautiful to see.

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When there’s a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there’s an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.

Is there a rocket launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule from Florida

Is there a rocket launch from Florida? The next is Wednesday, Oct. 30: SpaceX Starlink 10-13

  • Mission: SpaceX is targeting Wednesday evening to launch another payload of Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit, a Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory shows.
  • Launch window: 5:10 to 9:40 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 30
  • Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
  • Sonic booms: No
  • Live coverage starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Space Coast weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today?

Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.

Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you’ll get a view of the rocket launch − in certain areas, you can get an amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

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

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

Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots).

Some hotspots to check out:

  • Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there’s a charge to park.
  • Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there’s a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn’t always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
  • Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.
  • Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville
  • Sand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
  • Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
  • Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
  • Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docks
  • Various parks on Merritt Island
  • Rotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
  • Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
  • Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port
  • Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
  • Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.
  • Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.
  • Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
  • Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen Causeway
  • Tables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
  • The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
  • Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
  • Pineda Causeway
  • Eau Gallie Causeway
  • Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne
  • Indialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
  • Paradise Beach Park, aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)
  • Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)
  • Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
  • South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
  • Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach
  • Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach



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Florida

The Florida Orchestra Launches Partnership with University of South Florida School of Music – Symphony

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13 hours ago

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November 20, 2025

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The Florida Orchestra Launches Partnership with University of South Florida School of Music – Symphony


In Wednesday’s (11/19) WUSF (Tampa), Susan Giles Wantuck writes, “The Florida Orchestra’s music director and resident conductor will serve as ‘artists-in-residence’ this season at the University of South Florida’s School of Music. The Florida Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in the state, and a big part of what they do in the community is teaching. Now, they’ve established a partnership with the University of South Florida’s School of Music to work with students in the USF Symphony Orchestra. The goal is to provide students with the opportunity to gain professional-level experiences and build for the future. Chelsea Gallo, the Florida Orchestra’s resident conductor, said, ‘Both Michael Francis (the orchestra’s music director) and I are artists-in-residence for the University of South Florida, and it’s really cool…. These young musicians are so talented, they’re so eager.’… The 70 USF undergraduate and graduate students will also have the chance to work side-by-side with TFO musicians and attend masterclasses conducted by internationally renowned guest artists…. Chris Garvin, dean of USF College of Design, Art & Performance, which includes the School of Music said, ‘…This initiative … [creates] lasting bonds between the university, the orchestra and the community we serve.’ ”



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Florida

‘It’s a nightmare:’ Father of missing girl speaks as search continues in Central Florida

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1 day ago

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November 19, 2025

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‘It’s a nightmare:’ Father of missing girl speaks as search continues in Central Florida


If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000

At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.



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Florida

Sunblotch disease resurfaces, threatening South Florida avocado trees and backyard growers

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2 days ago

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November 18, 2025

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Sunblotch disease resurfaces, threatening South Florida avocado trees and backyard growers


If you have an avocado tree growing in your backyard, experts say you need to be vigilant about a disease that has made a comeback and can destroy your fruit.

It’s called Sunblotch Viroid, a microscopic invader that can spread easily.

CBS Miami spoke with tropical fruit specialist Dr. Jonathan Crane at the University of Florida’s Research and Education Center in Homestead about the disease. He says a local farmer spotted the disease and notified him, prompting Crane to issue a warning.

Laurel wilt wiped out half of trees 

Crane has worked for decades at the research center. He says that while the laurel wilt fungus wiped out nearly half of the avocado trees in South Florida, newly planted avocado trees are now susceptible to Sunblotch Viroid.

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The disease leaves deep yellow scars on the fruit.

“You can have Viroid in a tree that doesn’t show symptoms. It can spread from seeds and root stock,” Crane said.

Crane advises growers with infected trees: “If it has it, they need to properly remove the tree entirely.”

Farmers inspect trees for signs 

David Maes, manager of Marando Farms and Ranch in Davie, said the operation has had no Sunblotch issues but that he inspects the organic avocado trees regularly.

“It’s always a concern. You worry you will have to dig up a row,” Maes said. “That’s what happened with the citrus greening outbreak that happened 15 years ago. Tens of millions of citrus trees had to be destroyed because of a bug.”

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Serious threat to avocado production 

Crane says farmers and home growers should take the Sunblotch threat seriously.

“We have to look out. Because trees can be reduced 14 to 80 percent,” he said.

If you suspect you have an infected tree, Crane says you can take leaf samples to your local agricultural extension office. For a fee, they can test for confirmation.

If you’d like more information, contact the UF/IFAS TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic in Homestead.   

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