SpaceX Falcon 9 to Launch 29 Starlink Satellites Overnight from Kennedy Space Center

Florida’s Space Coast, which recently topped 100 launches in a year, will see another mission overnight: a SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to lift 29 Starlink broadband satellites from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The launch window opens at midnight ET and runs until 4 a.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

Mission details

Mission: SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Launch window: Midnight–4 a.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.
Launch pad: Launch Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida.
Planned trajectory: Southeast.
Sonic booms expected along the immediate Space Coast: No.

Visibility and photography

Rockets from the Space Coast lift off from Kennedy Space Center or nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. When skies are clear, launches from this area are sometimes visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, and as far south as Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Boynton Beach. Nighttime and very early-morning launches create striking visual effects — the flame and illuminated exhaust trail can make for dramatic photos. Use a tripod, wide-angle lens and long exposure settings to capture the plume and booster descent if conditions allow.

Where to watch

Coastal beaches and riverfront parks provide the best public viewing. Below are recommended vantage points grouped by area. Visibility depends on weather, cloud cover and the final trajectory; always follow posted rules and respect closures.

Brevard County (closest public viewing)

• Playalinda Beach / Canaveral National Seashore — closest public beach alignment to Pad 39A (parking fees and capacity limits may apply).
• Jetty Park Beach & Pier, Port Canaveral (paid parking).
• Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park, Titusville — good riverfront views and parking on both sides of the bridge.
• Space View Park, Titusville and Sand Point Park — convenient river-facing parks.
• Cocoa Beach: Alan Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach Pier, Lori Wilson Park and downtown Cocoa Beach (fees may apply at some lots).
• Merritt Island parks such as Rotary Park and Kiwanis Park — unobstructed views near the launch complex.

Further south (Indian River & Treasure Coast)

• Vero Beach: Ambersands Beach Park, South Beach Park, Merrill Barber and Alma Lee Loy bridges for inlet views.
• Fort Pierce & Jensen Beach: Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and numerous shoreline parks provide good southern viewing options (some require entry fees).

North — Volusia County

• New Smyrna Beach and South New Smyrna / Canaveral National Seashore — face due south for the best view.
• Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore, Oak Hill riverfront parks, and beaches along New Smyrna and Daytona.

Practical tips

• Arrive early to secure parking and a good vantage point; many popular sites have limited capacity or parking fees.
• Check weather, cloud cover and the official launch status before heading out — launches can be delayed or scrubbed at short notice.
• Do not block roadways, bridges or emergency access points; follow park rules and posted beach closures.
• If photographing the launch, use a tripod and experiment with exposure times to capture the exhaust trail without overexposing the flame.

Where to find live coverage

Live web coverage and the official mission webcast typically begin about 90 minutes before liftoff. Follow the official SpaceX webcast or major news and space-focused outlets for countdown coverage, live updates and telemetry.

Reported by Rick Neale, Brooke Edwards and Eric Lagatta.