Before the fireworks begin, Florida is set to ring in Independence Day with two rocket launches from Cape Canaveral ahead of the July 4th holiday.
The first of two rocket launches is set for no earlier than 12:24 a.m. Thursday, July 2 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The mission consists of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket delivering a batch of Amazon Leo broadband satellites to low-Earth orbit. If needed, ULA has until 12:53 a.m. to make the July 2 launch window.
The Atlas V rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory, possibly giving those north of the Space Coast a good view of the launch.
SpaceX launches SiriusXM SXM-11 satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station March 28, 2026, carrying a Sirius XM satellite. Launch occurred at 10:25 p.m. EDT. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
(Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY)
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The second liftoff is set for no earlier than 7:20 a.m. Friday, July 3 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If needed, SpaceX has until 11:20 a.m. to make the launch window.
The mission, known as Starlink 10-50, will deliver 29 of the company’s Starlink satellites to orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory after liftoff.
No Brevard sonic booms are expected Friday, as the rocket’s first stage booster will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: ULA, SpaceX rocket launches from Florida kick off July 4th weekend