SpaceX opened the books on 2026 when it launched a new Falcon 9 on the Starlink 6-88 mission aboard an all-new Falcon 9 to low-Earth orbit early this morning. Liftoff was at 01:48:10 am Eastern Time (06:48:10 Z) under broken skies and a bright moon.
Weather delayed the flight this morning, forcing a few pushbacks on T-0 until a suitable break in the evening’s weather could be found. A little after 1 am, SpaceX saw the gap they were looking for and decided to fuel and go, committing to launch time later in the same hour. Their choice was the right one, the range turned green and SpaceX once again beat the weather to get a launch done on its target day. “Never give up the day,” indeed.
Aboard the rocket was another group of Starlink V2 Mini satellites, which will join the company’s Starlink network of more than 9,000 other Starlink units in low-Earth orbit. Using Starlink satellites, the company provides Internet connectivity to over nine million customers in over 125 countries and territories worldwide.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-96 — Go for Launch! |
| Organization | SpaceX |
| Location | Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Pad | Space Launch Complex 40 |
| Status | Go for Launch |
| Status Info | Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources. |
| Window Opens | Thursday, 01/08/2026 1:29:00 PM |
| Window Closes | Thursday, 01/08/2026 5:29:00 PM |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description | A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system. |
| Broadcast Start Time | Coverage typically begins ~5 minutes before a Starlink launch. |
| SpaceX Streaming Coverage | Watch Live on SpaceX.com |
| Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage | Watch on YouTube — Spaceflight Now Live Stream |
As of 12:00 PM Sunday January 4, 2026. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.
2026 SPACE Preview: Click Here
Author: Charles Boyer
NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.
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