SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:25 a.
m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
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The predawn liftoff created a visible "space jellyfish" effect in the sky, illuminated by the sun just below the horizon.
The atmospheric phenomenon was witnessed across the Space Coast and as far north as North Carolina.
Record-Breaking Booster
This mission marked the record-breaking 36th flight for Falcon 9 booster 1067.
The booster successfully landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
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The upper stage deployed the 29 internet satellites 63.5 minutes into the flight.
This launch represents the 80th Falcon 9 mission of the year, with approximately 80 percent of 2026 flights dedicated to building out Starlink.
According to tracking data from Jonathan McDowell, the megaconstellation currently consists of more than 10,700 active satellites.
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Florida Today reported that Brevard County Emergency Management officials activated their support team ahead of the launch.
