Double game? The race to 100 continues for Florida’s Space Coast as SpaceX and United Launch Alliance aim for a midweek launch.the 92nd and 93rd space rocket of the year from here.
Not a single, but two nighttime rocket launches are possibly plannedscheduled for liftoff− hours apart − on the Space Coast. One involves a SpaceX Starlink launch, while the other is a ULA major event.
First on the list is SpaceX. The space organization established by billionaire Elon Musk will launch another group of Starlink satellites into space using a Falcon 9 rocket.
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Later, ULA’s powerful Atlas V rocket will transport Ka-band communication satellites forViasat− and it’s possible the spacecraft could be visible from far beyond the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Rockets depart from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center close to Merritt Island, Florida, or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and individuals in and near Brevard County typically have the highest likelihood of witnessing this event in the sky.
If the weather is favorable and considering cloud cover and the flight path, a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast can occasionally be seen as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach, and as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach.
When there is a night time launch opportunity or very early in the morning, there isopportunity for distinctive photographs — the rocket illuminates the dark sky and the trail behind itserves as an excellent photograph.
Here is additional information about the two rocket launches from Florida and recommendations on where to view them in person (or online through the USA TODAY Network’s Space Team).
If you have any questions or feedback, please email FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@ECHOVISATA or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@ECHOVISATA. For additional space-related news from the USA TODAY Network, visitECHOVISATA/space.
What is the schedule for the rocket launch in Florida? Wednesday, November 5: SpaceX Starlink 6-81
- Mission: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch 29 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit.
- Launch window6:08 PM to 10:08 PM ET on Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Launch trajectory: Southeast
- Launch location: Launch Site 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida
- Sonic booms over the Florida Space Coast (Titusville, Merritt Island, Melbourne region): No
- Live updates begin 90 minutes prior to launch atECHOVISATA/space:You can view live rocket launch coverage from the USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, which includes FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards along with visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark, and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will offer real-time updates in a mobile-optimized live blog, featuring a countdown clock, at ECHOVISATA/space, beginning 90 minutes prior to launch. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available on the App Store or Google Play, or typeECHOVISATA/space into your browser.
- For the most recent updates and launch timeline from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visitECHOVISATA/space. Another easy way: Click this link to register for our weekly Space newsletter.
What is the schedule for the rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida? On Wednesday, November 5: ULA ViaSat-3 Flight 2
- Mission: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is set to carry out Viasat’s second mission, which involves launching the second satellite in a planned group of three Ka-band communication satellites.
- Launch:10:24 p.m. Eastern Time, with a 44-minute period lasting until 11:08 p.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Launch trajectory:TBA (the ULA image above illustrates the Atlas V launch trajectory)
- Launch location: Space Launch Complex 41 located at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida
- Sonic booms: No
- ULA Atlas V live launch coverage begins two hours prior to liftoff atECHOVISATA/space:You can view live coverage of the rocket launch through the USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, made up of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards along with visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark, and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will offer real-time updates in a mobile-optimized live blog, including a countdown clock, at ECHOVISATA/space, beginningtwo hoursprior to launch. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or enterECHOVISATA/space into your browser.
- For the most recent updates and launch timeline from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visitECHOVISATA/space. Another easy way: Click this link to subscribe to our weekly Space newsletter.
Live weather radar: Is it going to rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Could the weather affect a rocket launch?
Displayed is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, providing up-to-the-minute conditions for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando, and other areas in Florida. The current date and time are shown in the bottom right corner of this radar embed; otherwise, you might need to clear your cache.
Where can I view the SpaceX rocket launch from the Space Coast of Florida?
Pretty much anywhere In Brevard, you’ll have a view of the rocket.launch – in some regions, you can obtain anexcellent view of SpaceX rocket stages coming backto the pads. The optimal location to observe a rocket launch from the Space Coast is on the beach. Nevertheless, visibility may vary based on weather conditions, and individuals should ensure they do not obstruct traffic or access points on bridges and should adhere to beach regulations.
If you’re watching the launch from Space View Park or Parrish Park along the Indian River in Titusville, face east directly across the river.
If you are further south along the Indian River, face northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore offers the nearest location to witness a launch as it runs almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. While on the beach, face south along the shoreline, (some areas provide a view of the pad).
Some areas to visit:
- Jetty Park Beach and Dock, 400 Jetty Park Road,Port Canaveral. Note, there is a fee for parking.
- Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there is a fee for parking, and entry to Canaveral National Seashore may not always be available depending on capacity and the time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on either side of Max Brewer Bridge.
- Space View Park, 8 Broad Street, Titusville
- Sand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Bridge)
- Cocoa Village, close to the parks and stores or near the piers
- Various parks on Merritt Island
- Rotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
- Kiwanis Parkon Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
- Port Canaveral, with vessels from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean at the port
- Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there may be parking fees.
- Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. The parking fee changes.
- Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park features a dog park, incidentally.
- Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note that there may be parking fees.
- Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen Causeway
- Tables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- The Tideson SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Causeway
- Eau Gallie Causeway
- Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Bridge and U.S. 1 in Melbourne
- Indialantic boardwalkat Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Park, also known as Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachfront park)
- Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (admission is required)
Sangalang serves as a primary digital producer for the USA TODAY Network.. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Think about signing up for a Florida-based newspaper.
This piece first was published on Florida Today:Upcoming doubleheader rocket launch in Florida. What time is SpaceX, ULA taking off?
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