(Update: This launch from Cape Canaveral has been postponed until no earlier than 6:42 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19)
SpaceX is set to do something different with its next Starlink mission: this rocket launch from Florida will head off on a rare flight path, a sort of tropical getaway.
The Feb. 18 liftoff comes just days after an early Monday Starlink launch, which took off just as thunderstorms moved off the Space Coast, showcasing SpaceX’s quick turnaround time from the same launch pad.
Launch of this Falcon 9 rocket is set for no earlier than 5 p.m. Wednesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Upon liftoff, the rocket will travel on a southeast trajectory and down the Florida coast — letting off a loud rumble as it soars to space, sailing in the direction of the Bahamas.
The launch is the company’s next batch of 29 Starlink internet satellites, referred to as Starlink 10-36. As typical with Starlink launches, SpaceX has a four-hour window to make the Wednesday launch if needed.
Brevard County doesn’t need to worry about sonic booms, as the rocket’s first stage will come down off the coast of the Bahamas and onto the Just Read the Instructions drone ship. However, SpaceX warned people in the Bahamas may hear a sonic boom if weather conditions are just right. This is due to the booster speeding back from space faster than sound before slowing to a nice Caribbean landing.
Depending on weather conditions, this sets up for a rare show over Florida and the Bahamas. This mission marks only the second time SpaceX has landed a booster this far south. The last time a Falcon 9 launched from Florida took this path was on Feb. 18, 2025.
After the tropical landing, SpaceX will bring the booster-carrying drone ship back to Port Canaveral, where it will be fetched and refurbished for its next launch.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provided live updates beginning 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral to target Bahamas booster landing
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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