(This article has been updated to reflect a new date for the launch of New Glenn. The launch is now scheduled for no earlier than November 9.)
Prepare for a Wednesday night doubleheader launch that might set the annual record.Florida launch record.
As of now, United Launch Alliance is poised to be the company that achieves last year’s record of 93 Space Coast launches with its launch on November 5. However, bothSpaceX and Blue Origin also have upcoming launches planned.
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The first item on the agenda is SpaceX’s latest set of Starlink internet satellites, known as Starlink 6-81. This mission is scheduled to take place no earlier than 6:08 p.m. on November 5 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As these satellites belong to the sixth batch, the Falcon 9 rocket will follow a southeast path after liftoff. Assuming favorable weather conditions, this will mark the 92nd launch of the year.
Later that night, ULA has plans.
Scheduled to launch no earlier than 10:24 p.m., a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will send the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2) mission into orbit from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company mentions it has until 11 p.m. to proceed with the launch if additional time is required.
ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2) is referred to as an “ultra-high-capacity broadband satellite” for the company Viasat. This satellite is anticipated to significantly enhance the existing capacity of Viasat’s satellite network.
This Atlas V launch will involve the rocket being rapidly pushed from the pad by the force of five solid rocket boosters — providing an impressive display for spectators.
Rocket launches scheduled from Florida that may set a new record
If these two launches proceed as scheduled, the annual record of 93 launches will be matched.
Upcoming, the next mission scheduled to depart from Cape Canaveral is the SpaceX Starlink 10-51 launch. This event is planned to occur no earlier than 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It has the potential to set a new milestone for Brevard — being the 94th launch.
And right after this SpaceX mission, a different company’s rocket is ready to launch.
Although Blue Origin has not yet revealed a specific date, the second launch of its New Glenn rocket is currently scheduled to take place no earlier than 2:45 p.m. on November 9, according to the Space Coast Office of Tourism. The New Glenn has already completed a successful test firing and the installation of the NASA ESCAPADE satellites, which the rocket will transport to Mars.
Since various factors can push back launch dates, it’s unclear which rocket will achieve launch number 94—and with under two months remaining in the year, what the updated launch record will be.
Brooke Edwards works as a Space Correspondent for Florida Today. Reach out to her atbedwards@ECHOVISATA or on X: @brookeofstars.
This piece first was published on Florida Today:SpaceX or ULA? Midweek double launch from Cape Canaveral to set annual record
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