You're standing on the Cocoa Beach pier, squinting at the horizon, wondering if that orange glow is just another Florida sunset or the start of something much bigger. We've all been there. Cape Canaveral is a place where schedules change faster than the Florida humidity. Honestly, trying to pin down a rocket launch is kinda like trying to catch a lizard in your backyard—slippery and unpredictable.
But here’s the short answer for today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
There was a launch scheduled for today. SpaceX was prepping a Falcon 9 for the Starlink 6-98 mission. However, if you were hoping for a spectacular night show, you might have missed the window or seen the scrub. The mission was officially targeted for 1:08 p.m. EST (1808 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).
Unless there was a major technical delay that pushed it into the evening hours, the bird has likely already flown.
Is There a Launch Tonight at Cape Canaveral (and Why Schedules Lie to You)
If you're asking about a launch tonight, you're probably looking for that iconic "night launch" vibe. There's nothing quite like the way a Falcon 9 lights up the Atlantic. The sky turns a deep, neon orange. The sound waves hit your chest a few seconds later. It’s visceral.
But here is what most people get wrong: the "official" schedule you see on Google is often just a placeholder.
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Take today’s Starlink 6-98 mission. It’s been bouncing around the calendar. Originally, it was set for January 13th, then it got moved to the 14th. Then the time shifted. In the space world, we use the term "NET," which stands for "No Earlier Than." It's basically NASA-speak for "we hope it goes then, but don't bet your mortgage on it."
The Current Status of Starlink 6-98
As of right now, this specific mission is a daytime affair. The Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites was slated for a 1:08 p.m. liftoff.
If you are reading this at 8:00 p.m. wondering why the sky isn't glowing, it's because the mission happened hours ago. Or, more likely in this business, it got "scrubbed" due to high-altitude winds or a sensor acting up. Weather at the Cape is notoriously fickle. Even if it’s a beautiful day on the beach, the "upper-level shear" (fancy talk for fast winds high up) can tear a rocket apart.
What to Watch for Next
If you missed today, don't pack up your telescope just yet. The Cape is busier than ever. Here is what is actually on the horizon for the rest of the month:
- January 18, 2026: Another SpaceX Starlink mission (Group 6-100) is eyeing a mid-afternoon launch from SLC-40.
- Late January (TBD): We are waiting on the BlueBird Block 2 mission. This one is cool because it uses those massive cellular broadband satellites.
- February 2026: This is the big one. NASA and SpaceX are prepping Crew-12. That’s four real humans—Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway leading the charge—strapped to a rocket.
How to Actually Check for a Launch in Real-Time
Don't trust a static blog post from three days ago. If you want to know if there is a launch tonight at Cape Canaveral right this second, you need live data.
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I usually tell people to check the "Space Coast Launches" app or follow Spaceflight Now on X (formerly Twitter). They are the boots on the ground. When the "Hold, Hold, Hold" call comes over the radio, they are the first to post it.
Also, look at the NOTAMs. These are "Notices to Air Missions." Basically, the FAA tells pilots, "Hey, don't fly here because we’re shooting a giant tube of fire into the atmosphere." If the NOTAM is cancelled, the launch is cancelled.
Why You Should Care About the Booster Landing
One thing people often forget to look for is where the rocket is landing. For today’s Starlink mission, the first stage (Booster B1085) was scheduled to land on the drone ship named A Shortfall of Gravitas.
Since the landing happens about 400 miles downrange in the Atlantic, you won't see it from the beach.
However, if you ever see a launch where the booster is returning to Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at the Cape, stay for the landing. You’ll get a double sonic boom that sounds like two shotgun blasts right next to your head. It’s terrifyingly awesome.
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The Logistics of Catching a Launch
Let’s say a launch does get pushed to tonight. Where do you go?
If you're at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you're in the front row. But they close! Most night launches mean you’re heading to the outskirts.
- Jetty Park: Great view, but it costs money to park and fills up fast.
- Playalinda Beach: This is technically part of the Canaveral National Seashore. It's the closest you can get to the pads at LC-39A, but they close the gates at sunset. If it's a night launch, you're out of luck here.
- The Max Brewer Bridge: This is the local secret. You park in Titusville and walk up the bridge. You get an unobstructed view across the Indian River. Plus, it’s free.
Space exploration isn't just for the engineers anymore. It's become a weekly occurrence in Florida. Sometimes it feels routine, like watching a plane take off, until you realize that Falcon 9 is burning thousands of gallons of propellant just to put internet satellites in a shell around the Earth.
The best way to stay updated is to keep a weather eye on the SpaceX livestreams. They usually go live about 15 minutes before T-zero. If the clock is counting down and the "internal power" light is green, grab your lawn chair.
Check the SpaceX official X account or the Space Coast Launches app for the most immediate "Go/No-Go" status of tonight's potential window. If the Starlink 6-98 mission was delayed from its 1:00 p.m. slot, the backup windows usually fall every 20 to 90 minutes throughout the afternoon and evening.