You've probably been there—scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) or refreshing a weather app, trying to figure out if that rumbling in the distance is a thunderstorm or another Falcon 9 punching through the atmosphere. Honestly, keeping track of the SpaceX launch time today has become something of a part-time job for space fans. Between the "No Earlier Than" (NET) tags and the sudden scrub-offs due to upper-level winds, it's kinda chaotic.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the focus is squarely on Cape Canaveral. SpaceX is prepping a Falcon 9 for the Starlink 6-100 mission. If everything holds, we're looking at a liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at exactly 6:31:40 p.m. EST.
That's the "T-zero." But as anyone who follows Elon Musk’s hardware knows, that number is never really set in stone until the hold-down clamps actually release.
The Nitty-Gritty of Today’s Launch Window
SpaceX is basically a logistics company that happens to use rockets. For today's mission, they aren't just tossing a few satellites up; they are deploying 29 Starlink V2 Mini satellites. These are the "beefed-up" versions of the original Starlink hardware, designed to handle more capacity and provide better service to those of us still struggling with lag during Zoom calls.
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The launch window technically opens earlier, but 6:31 p.m. EST is the target. If you are on the West Coast, you're looking at a midday event at 3:31 p.m. PST. For the global crowd, that translates to 23:31 UTC.
One thing that’s actually pretty wild about this specific flight is the booster. We’re talking about B1080. This flight-proven veteran is making its 24th trip to space. Just think about that for a second. A decade ago, the idea of a rocket landing once was "insane." Now, we have boosters that have gone to the edge of space and back two dozen times. It’s becoming... well, routine. Sorta.
What Happens After Liftoff?
If you're watching the livestream, the real drama usually happens in the first nine minutes. It’s a choreographed dance of physics that still feels like science fiction.
- Max Q: At about 1 minute and 12 seconds in, the rocket hits the point of maximum mechanical stress. This is where the atmosphere is thick enough and the rocket is fast enough that it’s basically trying to crush itself.
- MECO and Separation: Around the 2-minute and 24-second mark, the main engines shut down (Main Engine Cutoff). The first and second stages separate shortly after.
- The "Shortfall" Landing: While the second stage carries the satellites to orbit, the first stage performs a flip and begins its descent. It’s targeting the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" out in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Landing Burn: At roughly 7 minutes and 55 seconds, the center engine reignites to slow the booster from supersonic speeds to a gentle touchdown. It should be on the deck by T+ 8 minutes and 20 seconds.
Why the Timing Might Shift
Weather is the big one. Right now, forecasts suggest a 60% chance of favorable weather at the start of the window, improving to 90% toward the end. In plain English: if they don't go at 6:31 p.m., they might wait a few minutes for a cloud bank to clear.
SpaceX has become incredibly aggressive with their launch cadence. Earlier this week, they actually broke a pad turnaround record at the Cape. They are pushing the hardware harder than ever. But safety still trumps the schedule. If a sensor reads one degree off or a boat wanders into the keep-out zone in the Atlantic, they'll hold the clock.
How to Watch the SpaceX Launch Time Today
You won't find this on standard cable TV usually. The best way to catch the action is the official SpaceX webcast. They typically go live about five minutes before liftoff. You can find it on:
- X (formerly Twitter): @SpaceX is the primary hub.
- X TV App: If you have a smart TV, this is the highest fidelity way to see the flame and smoke.
- SpaceX Website: The "Launches" section always has a direct embed.
Don't expect the long, produced shows of the early Falcon 1 days. Nowadays, the commentary is lean and technical. It’s built for the fans who want to know the "LOX load" status, not just see a cool explosion.
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Beyond the Starlink "Routine"
It’s easy to get bored with Starlink launches. I get it. It feels like they happen every few days. But 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for spaceflight beyond just internet satellites.
While we watch the SpaceX launch time today, NASA is busy rolling the massive SLS rocket out to the pad at Kennedy Space Center for the Artemis II mission. We’re talking about humans going back to the moon—possibly as soon as next month. Plus, the Crew-12 mission is on the horizon, slated for mid-February.
SpaceX is the workhorse making all of this possible. Every Starlink launch is a test of the reuse system that lowers the cost for the "big" missions. If B1080 sticks the landing today, it proves that 25, 30, or even 50 flights per booster might actually be doable.
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Actionable Insights for Today’s Launch
If you’re planning to watch or photograph the event, here is the reality on the ground:
- Check the "T-Minus" frequently: Use apps like "Space Launch Now" or follow Spaceflight Now on X. They catch the "hold" calls faster than the official stream sometimes.
- Look Up (Even if you aren't in Florida): If you’re on the U.S. East Coast and the sky is clear, look toward the southeast about 10-15 minutes after launch. You might see the "space jellyfish" effect—the sunlight hitting the exhaust plume in the upper atmosphere.
- The Landing is the Highlight: Don't turn off the stream after the satellites reach orbit. Watching a 15-story building fall from space and land on a moving boat in the middle of the ocean never gets old.
The launch window for Starlink 6-100 is narrow but promising. Set your timers for 6:25 p.m. EST to catch the start of the feed. Whether you're a hardcore "space nerd" or just someone who thinks rockets are cool, today is another small step in making space travel look like a daily commute.
Track the countdown on the official SpaceX site and keep an eye on the local Florida weather radars for any last-minute storm cells that could push the T-zero back toward the end of the window.