Editor’s Note: The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was moved to Thursday.
Sebastian and Vero Beach residents are gearing up for another spectacle in the night skies as SpaceX prepares to launch its Falcon 9 rocket for its next Starlink mission. The latest information about the impending launch comes from a navigational warning issued by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Scheduled for Thursday night, the mission aims to deploy a batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The target is May 2nd, with a launch window between 9:17 p.m. and 1:48 a.m. with a Southeast trajectory.
Unlike some previous launches, no local sonic boom is expected. Following liftoff, the Falcon 9’s booster will attempt to land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Weather permitting, spectators can expect a stunning display as the rocket streaks across the sky. Forecasts indicate mostly clear skies for Thursday night.
For those eager to witness the event firsthand, two prime locations have been recommended: Sebastian Inlet Park and Wabasso Beach Park, both offering unobstructed views of the launch. Alternatively, any spot along the Indian River Lagoon provides an excellent vantage point to see Falcon 9’s journey.
