SpaceX is set to launch Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8-10 satellites to orbit in the wee hours of Wednesday, June 17th. The launch window opens at 2:39 AM ET and runs through 4:15 AM ET. Should the attempt slip, a backup window is available Thursday, June 18, opening at 2:19 AM ET.
Booster B1077 will be flying its 29th flight, and it will land aboard ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ after completing the liftoff and initial journey to orbit. Previously, B1077 launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, TD7, and 21 Starlink missions.
At A Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Mission | Falcon 9 Block 5 | BlueBird Block 2 #3-5 — 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 | Wednesday, 06/17/2026 2:39:00 AM |
| Window Closes | Wednesday, 06/17/2026 4:15:00 AM |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Mission Description |
AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the
BlueBird Block 1 satellites, required to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage in the United States,
with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps,
supporting voice, full data and video applications.
The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring communications arrays as large as 2,400 square feet, will be the largest satellites ever commercially deployed in Low Earth orbit once launched. This launch will feature 3 satellites. |
As of 12:44 PM Tuesday June 16, 2026. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult SpaceX.com for more information.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 has released their official Launch Mission Execution Forecast: 90% GO for the initial launch window.
Online Viewing
SpaceX will have a livestream of the launch on their website: Bluebird 8-10. This will also be available on the X platform. Coverage starts about fifteen minutes before liftoff.
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com is the best source of information.
Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.
Launch Viewing: In Person
The best free options are available for spectators: Northern Titusville parks on Washington Avenue / US-1, For example, Space View Park, Sands Park, Rotary Riverfront Park.
Playalinda Beach will be closed. It opens at 6 AM and closes at 8 PM. The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center will also be closed, so there is no on-site viewing available to the public.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
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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