Florida Space Coast Doubleheader: SpaceX Launches, ULA Scrubbed
On Wednesday night, one of two scheduled launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station successfully lifted off: SpaceX's Falcon 9 mission. However, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) launch was scrubbed due to a technical issue.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch
At 8:31 p.m. EST, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The launch window had opened earlier at 6:09 p.m. About eight minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster—on its fifth flight, including a Crew-11 and a previous Starlink mission—landed safely on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.
ULA Atlas V Scrubbed
Less than two hours later, ULA prepared to launch an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Complex 41, carrying the second satellite for Viasat’s fleet. The countdown clock stopped with four minutes remaining due to a problem with the liquid oxygen tank’s vent valve. The launch was delayed by at least 24 hours, with the window closing at 11:08 p.m.
Record Launch Activity
If both launches had proceeded as planned, they would have tied Florida’s annual launch record of 93 from the Space Coast region, which includes Kennedy Space Center. The skies were clear, illuminated by a full moon in the west, according to Florida Today.
Watch Falcon 9 launch 29 @Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida — SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 6, 2025
Author's summary: SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, while ULA delayed its Atlas V flight due to a technical fault, stalling a potential record-tying launch day for Florida.