Watch Live: Rocket Launch Today — Exact Time, Stream Link & What to Expect

SpaceX is targeting a liftoff tonight, 28 June 2026, for a Falcon 9 carrying the 7.5-ton SiriusXM SXM-11 digital-audio broadcast satellite. The rocket is scheduled to depart Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a four-hour window that opens at 10:25 p.m. EDT (02:25 UTC) and extends to 2:25 a.m. EDT. Why tonight’s rocket launch matters • Fresh constellation power: SXM-11 will join SiriusXM’s growing next-generation fleet, delivering higher-capacity, coast-to-coast satellite radio to more than 34 million subscribers in North America. • Rapid-fire cadence: This mission follows Sunday’s Starlink launch from Vandenberg and underscores SpaceX’s push toward near-daily operations. • Reusable first stage: The previously flown booster will aim for a droneship landing in the Atlantic, a maneuver that cuts launch costs and speeds turnaround. How to watch the rocket launch live today SpaceX will provide a free HD webcast about 15 minutes before T-0 on its Launches page and X feed, complete with real-time telemetry and landing footage. Viewers along Florida’s Space Coast can also head to public beaches from Titusville to Port Canaveral for a clear eastern horizon. Key launch facts at a glance • Vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 • Payload: SiriusXM SXM-11 satellite (built by Maxar) • Orbit: Geostationary transfer orbit, eventual slot at 96° W longitude • Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida • Landing zone: “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, Atlantic Ocean • Live coverage: SpaceX.com, SpaceX on X, Spaceflight Now blog Mission trajectory After clearing the pad, Falcon 9 will head east over the Atlantic, performing a pitch-over maneuver to line up for a GTO insertion. Stage 1 will separate about 2 minutes 30 seconds into flight, conduct a boost-back and entry burn, then attempt a pinpoint landing roughly 8 minutes after liftoff. Stage 2 will fire twice to raise apogee above 35,000 km, releasing SXM-11 about 33 minutes post-launch. Impact on listeners and industry SiriusXM says SXM-11’s large unfurling S-band antenna will strengthen signal quality for mobile listeners, alleviate network congestion in major metros and provide new bandwidth for in-car 360L interactive channels. For SpaceX, tonight’s launch helps maintain a record cadence that could break 120 flights this year, reinforcing the Falcon 9’s position as the world’s most-launched orbital rocket. Weather and backup opportunities The 45th Weather Squadron forecasts roughly 70 percent “go” conditions, with cumulus clouds and coastal showers the primary concerns. If a scrub occurs, a 24-hour recycle would place the next attempt Tuesday night. SEO quick links for readers • Rocket launch today live stream • What time is the SpaceX launch tonight? • Cape Canaveral launch schedule June 2026 • SiriusXM satellite SXM-11 mission details Stay tuned here for updates as the countdown proceeds and for instant replays of liftoff and landing once the Falcon 9 lights up Florida’s night sky.