Florida's Space Coast Readies 6 Launches in a Week

A Record-Breaking Week for Space Launches

The Space Coast is experiencing an unprecedented week of rocket launches, with six missions scheduled within a span of 6½ days. This marks one of the busiest periods in what has already been a record-breaking year for space launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Col. Brian Chatman, commander of the Space Launch Delta 45, highlighted the shift in launch capabilities over the past decade. “The days of old, when we go back 10, 15 years with launch capability here off the Eastern Range — when we were putting up 10, 15, maybe 20 launches in a calendar year — are behind us,” he said during a recent media teleconference.

This year has already shattered previous records, with the annual orbital rocket launch count on Florida's Space Coast falling for the fourth consecutive year. The former record of 93 launches was broken by November 10, and the 2025 tally has now reached 103 launches. With the 104th mission set to take place this afternoon, the pace of launches continues to accelerate.

Upcoming Launch Schedule

The upcoming launch schedule is packed with activity, starting with the rescheduled SpaceX Starlink 6-92 mission. Originally scrubbed on Sunday, December 7, due to persistent rainy weather, the mission is now set for a 4:14 p.m. launch time. If the Falcon 9 rocket launches without further delays, the Space Coast will witness a series of launches over the next few days.

Tuesday, December 9: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch the NROL-77 national security mission for the Space Force's Space Systems Command and the National Reconnaissance Office at 2:16 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Sonic booms from the descending SpaceX rocket booster are expected.

Thursday, December 11: Another SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit between 1:59 p.m. and 5:59 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Sunday, December 14: Two separate SpaceX Falcon 9 missions will take place on the same day. The first will launch 29 Starlink satellites between 8:37 a.m. and 12:37 p.m. from KSC. The second will embark on another Starlink mission between 9:43 p.m. and 1:43 a.m. Monday, December 15, from the Space Force installation.

Monday, December 15: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will lift the next batch of Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 3:35 a.m. at the Space Force station.

If both the SpaceX Starlink 6-92 mission and the ULA Amazon Leo mission proceed as planned, the slate of six launches will occur within six days, 11 hours, and 21 minutes.

Live Coverage and Support

For those interested in following each mission, live coverage from the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will begin 90 minutes before liftoff at HAWXTECH.NET/space.

Rick Neale, a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, emphasizes the importance of keeping readers informed about the latest developments in the space industry. His work, along with that of his team, requires significant time and resources. Readers are encouraged to support this important journalism by subscribing.