A Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center this Thursday at 10:39 p.m. EST (03:39 UTC). This mission, known as Starlink 6-78, will carry 29 satellites for SpaceX’s internet service. It’s an exciting milestone, marking the 100th launch from the Space Coast this year!
Weather forecasts are looking great, with clear skies expected for the launch. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting an hour before the event.
This year has been record-breaking for space missions. Just earlier this month, the combined launches from three major companies surpassed last year’s record of 93 missions. SpaceX is leading the way with 92 flights this year alone, outpacing its competitors. United Launch Alliance has completed five launches, while Blue Origin successfully flew its New Glenn rocket twice in 2025.
In the past, launching from Cape Canaveral was a rare event. Before 2020, there were only a few years where the number of launches exceeded 25. Now, thanks to SpaceX and its reusable Falcon 9 rocket, the launch frequency has skyrocketed. Today, SpaceX accounts for 91% of all launches from Florida.
For this mission, Falcon 9’s first stage booster, B1080, will take to the skies for the 23rd time. Eight minutes after launch, it will land on a drone ship named “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean, about 365 miles offshore.
About an hour after the launch, the new Starlink satellites will be deployed. This batch will add to the more than 9,000 already orbiting the Earth.
As we look to the future, the trend in satellite launches is clear. More companies are entering the market. According to a report by the Satellite Industry Association, the global satellite industry is expected to grow to $493 billion by 2025. With such rapid advancements in space tech, this could be just the beginning.
