SpaceX Night Launch This Weekend — Where to Watch the Falcon 9 Liftoff from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX will attempt a nighttime Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral carrying 29 Starlink internet satellites. The liftoff is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, with a four-hour window that opens at 5:04 p.m. ET. If skies are clear, the plume and illuminated contrail can create spectacular photos visible across Florida's Space Coast and beyond.

Mission Details

Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
Payload: 29 Starlink internet satellites
Launch Window: 5:04 p.m. to 9:04 p.m. ET, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
Launch Site: Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Trajectory: Southeast
Sonic Booms: Not expected for this mission

Live Coverage

Live reporting begins 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. The USA TODAY Network Space Team — including FLORIDA TODAY reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt — will host a mobile-friendly live blog with a countdown clock and minute-by-minute updates. You can also watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app (App Store or Google Play).

Best Viewing Areas

Launches from Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are generally best viewed from Brevard County beaches and riverfront parks. Weather and cloud cover will affect visibility, but on clear nights a Space Coast launch can sometimes be seen as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach and as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach.

Titusville & North Space Coast

• Space View Park (face east across the Indian River)
• Parrish Park / Max Brewer Bridge (parking on both sides)
• Sand Point Park and Rotary Riverfront Park

Playalinda & Canaveral National Seashore

• Playalinda Beach (closest, almost parallel to Pad 39A) — look south along the coastline
• Note: Access and parking can be limited depending on capacity and time of day

Cocoa Beach & Merritt Island

• Jetty Park Beach and Pier (Port Canaveral) — popular but parking often requires a fee
• Cocoa Beach Pier, Alan Shepard Park, Lori Wilson Park, Sidney Fischer Park
• Merritt Island parks such as Rotary Park and Kiwanis Island areas

Satellite Beach, Melbourne & South

• Tables Beach, The Tides, Pelican Beach Clubhouse (Satellite Beach)
• Pineda Causeway, Eau Gallie Causeway, Front Street Park (Melbourne)
• Indialantic boardwalk and Paradise Beach Park
• Sebastian Inlet Park (entrance fee may apply)

Viewing & Photography Tips

• Arrive early to secure parking and a good vantage point; many popular spots fill quickly for night launches.
• Face east or northeast from riverfront parks; on the beach, look toward the pad and along the coastline as noted above.
• Bring a tripod and use a longer exposure for dramatic photos of the illuminated plume and contrail during a nighttime launch.
• Obey posted signs, do not block traffic or rights of way, and respect beach and park rules.
• Weather can change visibility quickly — check updates from FLORIDA TODAY and official launch notices for any delays or scrub calls.

Contact & More Information

For questions about local coverage, email FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For ongoing space news and live updates, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Note: This article was updated for clarity and to consolidate viewing locations and tips. Confirm launch timing and access rules before you head out.