(This article has been updated with a change in date for the launch of New Glenn. The launch has been moved to no earlier than Nov. 9.)
Get ready for a Wednesday night doubleheader liftoff, which could tie the yearly Florida launch record.
As of now, United Launch Alliance is set to be the company that will hit last year’s record of 93 Space Coast launches with its Nov. 5 liftoff. But both SpaceX and Blue Origin also have launches on deck.
First up is SpaceX’s next batch of Starlink internet satellites, titled Starlink 6-81. This launch is set for now no earlier than 8:31 p.m. Nov. 5 from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Due to the satellites being in the sixth group, the Falcon 9 rocket will travel on a southeast trajectory after launch. If weather cooperates, that will be the 92nd launch of the year.
Later in the evening, ULA has plans.
Set for no earlier than 10:24 p.m. a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2) mission to orbit from Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company states it has until 11 p.m. to make the liftoff should extra time be needed.
ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2) is described as an “ultra-high-capacity broadband spacecraft” for the company Viasat. The spacecraft is expected to greatly increase the current capability of Viasat’s satellite fleet.
This Atlas V launch will see the rocket quickly propelled off the pad under the power of five solid rocket boosters — giving a great show to those watching.
Upcoming rocket launches from Florida which could break record
Should these two launches go as planned, the yearly record of 93 launches will be tied.
Looking ahead, the next launch scheduled from Cape Canaveral is the SpaceX Starlink 10-51 mission. This launch is currently set for no earlier than 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. That would become a new record for Brevard — the 94th launch.
And just beyond this SpaceX mission, another company’s rocket is poised to lift off.
While Blue Origin has yet to announce a date, the second launch of its New Glenn rocket is listed on the Space Coast Office of Tourism as occurring now no earlier than 2:45 p.m. Nov. 9. The New Glenn has already seen a successful test fire and installation of the NASA ESCAPADE satellites, which the rocket will send to Mars.
As multiple conditions can delay launch dates, it remains to be seen which rocket will claim launch number 94 – and with less than two months left in the year, what the new launch record will be.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
