SpaceXUnknown F9TBD
Falcon 9 Block 5 | BlueBird 14-16 (Block 2 #9-11)
Pad: Space Launch Complex 40 · Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
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 as large as 2400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest satellites ever commercially deployed in Low Earth orbit once launched. This launch will feature 3 satellites.
Liftoff Telemetry ClockUTC / SYNCED
T-
54Days
:12Hours
:24Mins
:18Secs
Falcon 9
LiftoffFalcon 9 Liftoff with Dragon Spacecraft
Photo: SpaceX
Get Alerted for Falcon 9 Block 5 | BlueBird 14-16 (Block 2 #9-11)
Receive an email alert 1 hour prior to liftoff with live webcast links.
Mission Broadcast Archive
Falcon 9 Block 5 | BlueBird 14-16 (Block 2 #9-11) Live Coverage
Official Webcast Feed Scheduled
Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official SpaceX channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.
Host: SpaceX Flight OpsWindow: Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT
Status: TBD
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- LEO
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- BlueBird 14-16 (Block 2 #9-11)
- Launch Window
- Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC – 12:00 AM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- Unknown F9
- Flight Count
- Operational Flight
- Recovery Strategy
- Downrange Recovery (TBD)
- Fairing Recovery
- Flight Proven
- Landing Vessel / Zone
- Recovery Vessel / Zone
- Vehicle Architecture
- Falcon 9 Technical Specs & Flight Geometry →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-12-31Terminal Count
T-00:15:00Autonomous launch sequence start
Auto Sequence
T-00:03:00Flight computer assumes control
Liftoff
T-00:00:00Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff
MECO & Stage Sep
T+00:02:40Main engine cut-off and stage separation
Stage 1 Landing
T+00:08:30Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone
Payload Deploy
T+00:45:00Spacecraft insertion into target orbit
Launch Complex & Spaceport
Space Launch Complex 40
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station · Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Mount
ULA Space Launch Complex 41 Launch Mount
United Launch Alliance Space Launch Complex 41 with four 100-meter catenary lightning suppression masts.
Photo Credit: NASA / Kim ShiflettSLC-41 is ULA's primary East Coast heavy launch facility. The pad was the departure point for historic NASA planetary missions including New Horizons to Pluto, the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, and the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return.
Operator
United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Elevation
4 meters (ASL)
Azimuth Range
35°
Flight History
140+ National Security & Planetary Missions
Key Pad Facilities & Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Vertical Integration Facility (VIF)Tall assembly building where Atlas V and Vulcan rockets are stacked atop mobile launch platforms.
Crew Access Tower (CAT)Dedicated tower providing astronauts entry into the Boeing Starliner capsule.