As of September 14, 2026, Florida's Space Coast has experienced a significant decline in rocket launches, with no launches scheduled for the week. The area set a record with 109 orbital rocket launches in 2025; however, this year’s pace has considerably slowed. So far in 2026, 56 launches have occurred, a stark contrast to the unprecedented frequency seen last year, particularly as SpaceX reduces its Falcon 9 Starlink missions from the region.
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The launch cadence this year marks a dip from previous heights, including a standout April when NASA's Artemis II mission carried four astronauts on a lunar flyby. However, the summer months—May through August—only saw a total of six launches each month. The highlight of August was the successful launch of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on August 30.
Looking ahead, Florida’s launch schedule remains quiet in September, with potential upcoming events including NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission, which is set to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, although a specific date has yet to be announced. Additionally, Blue Origin is also expected to conduct a New Glenn rocket launch carrying a Blue Moon lunar lander, but details remain tentative.
Residents across Florida could still catch glimpses of launches, which can often be seen as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach, depending on trajectory and weather conditions. For those interested in viewing launches remotely, NASA+ content will be available on Prime Video, allowing viewers to keep up with upcoming missions.
Lianna Norman and Jennifer Sangalang report for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering aerospace developments and related news across the state.