SpaceX to Launch 47th Rocket from Florida: Easy-to-Understand News

Updated July 13, 2026, 5:25 p.m. ET

What’s the Big News?

SpaceX (a company that sends rockets to space) is getting ready to launch a rocket called Falcon 9. This overnight liftoff will be the 47th Falcon 9 launch from Florida this year, and it also marks Florida’s 47th rocket launch of the year overall. The launch was originally planned for an earlier time, but the story was updated because the launch time changed.

Important: This article was updated on July 13, 2026, with a new launch time! Make sure to check the correct time below.

Quick Highlights

Here are the main points in simple bullet points:

• SpaceX will launch its 47th Falcon 9 rocket of the year from Florida.
• The launch is planned for early Tuesday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• This trip will carry 29 Starlink satellites (space internet helpers) into orbit on a northeast path.
• The rocket’s bottom part (booster) will land on a robot boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

When and Where Is the Launch?

The rocket will lift off no earlier than 5:10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. The place is Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (a special rocket pad in Florida).

If they need a little more time, SpaceX has a "launch window" — that means they can still launch anytime up until 7:15 a.m. that same morning.

What Is the Rocket Carrying?

The mission (that’s just a name for the trip) is called Starlink 10-45. The rocket will deliver 29 Starlink satellites into orbit.

What are satellites? They are like small space machines that circle Earth. Starlink ones help bring internet to the ground.

After takeoff, the Falcon 9 will fly on a northeast trajectory — imagine going up and then leaning toward the top-right on a map.

Where Will the Rocket’s Booster Go?

A Falcon 9 rocket has a bottom piece called the first stage booster. It’s like the strong legs that push the rocket up. Instead of tossing it in the ocean, SpaceX lands it safely on a drone ship — a boat that drives itself without a captain.

The ship is named "A Shortfall of Gravitas" (a funny name!) and sits in the Atlantic Ocean. Because it lands far out at sea, people living in Brevard (a nearby county) won’t hear any sonic booms (those are loud thunder-like noises from fast objects).

How to Follow the Launch (Step-by-Step)

Want to watch or read about it? Here are simple steps:

1. Go to FloridaToday.com/Space about 90 minutes before the launch (that’s around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday).
2. Look for live updates from the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team.
3. Enjoy learning about the rocket as it flies!

If you’re curious about other Florida launches, Florida Today also has a schedule page called “Is there a launch today? SpaceX, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida.”

About the Author

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. You can reach her:

• By email: bedwards@floridatoday.com
• On X (a social media site): @brookeofstars

Summary

Let’s recap all the important stuff:

• What: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (47th this year from FL) launching with 29 Starlink satellites.
• When: No earlier than 5:10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, with window until 7:15 a.m.
• Where: Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
• Path: Northeast trajectory into orbit.
• Booster landing: On drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in Atlantic – no Brevard sonic booms.
• Live updates: 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
• Updated: July 13, 2026, 5:25 p.m. ET because launch time changed.
• Reporter: Brooke Edwards covers it.

FAQ

1. What is a Falcon 9?
It’s a type of reusable rocket made by SpaceX that can fly to space and bring its lower part back to land for reuse.

2. What are Starlink satellites?
They are small spacecraft that orbit Earth and help provide internet service to people below.

3. What is a drone ship?
It’s a robotic, uncrewed boat that floats in the ocean to catch and hold the rocket’s booster when it returns.

4. Why won’t there be sonic booms in Brevard?
Because the booster lands far away on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the loud noise doesn’t travel to the nearby land.

5. What does “northeast trajectory” mean?
It means after lifting off, the rocket will travel upward and toward the northeast direction (like up and to the right on a map).