Watch Live: Rocket Launch Today—Exact Liftoff Time, Stream Link & How to Watch

SpaceX Falcon 9 Set for Starfall Demo Rocket Launch Today Thousands of eyes will turn toward Florida’s Space Coast this morning as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with the uncrewed Starfall spacecraft on its debut demo mission. The hour-long launch window opens at 6:43 a.m. ET (10:43 UTC) from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with fuel loading already underway. Launch Time, Stream and Tracking • Liftoff window: 6:43 a.m.–7:43 a.m. ET Tuesday, June 23 • Live video: SpaceX.com and Florida Today’s stream begin about 5:15 a.m. ET, featuring continuous countdown coverage. • Trajectory: Southeast over the Atlantic; no sonic booms expected for the Cape. Where to Watch in Person The launch may be visible from as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach, weather permitting. Prime viewing spots include: • Jetty Park, Port Canaveral • Space View Park, Titusville • Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore • Sebastian Inlet, Wabasso and South Beach Parks along the Treasure Coast. Mission Objectives Starfall is a new SpaceX capsule designed to validate next-generation heat-shield tiles and autonomous docking avionics before future cargo runs to low-Earth-orbit research stations. Today’s flight will place the spacecraft in a 350 km circular orbit for a three-day systems checkout before a controlled re-entry and splashdown off Florida. If successful, Starfall will accelerate SpaceX’s roadmap for reusable, rapid-turnaround capsules supporting both government and commercial customers. Weather Outlook & Visibility The 45th Weather Squadron projects 80 % “go” conditions at the opening of the window, with light coastal winds and scattered high clouds. Sunrise occurs at 6:26 a.m. ET, creating the potential for the coveted “space jellyfish” twilight plume once the rocket clears the denser atmosphere. Observers across central and south Florida should look southeast roughly two minutes after liftoff. Why This Launch Matters • First flight of Starfall hardware, a key step toward quicker, cheaper cargo delivery. • 25th SpaceX mission of 2026, underscoring the company’s weekly-cadence tempo. • Boosts regional tourism: hotels along A1A report near-capacity bookings for the event. Quick Facts Rocket: Falcon 9 (Block 5) Height: 70 m | Thrust at liftoff: 7,607 kN Booster landing: Drone ship “Just Read the Instructions,” ~650 km downrange Payload mass: ≈12 t How to Follow Updates Real-time commentary will stream on SpaceX’s X feed (@SpaceX). Florida Today’s live blog offers minute-by-minute updates, photos and replay clips for those unable to view the ascent in person. Whether you’re tracking online or scanning the dawn skies, today’s Starfall Demo promises a spectacular show—and a critical milestone in SpaceX’s push toward faster, fully reusable orbital logistics.