SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida's Kennedy Space Center

SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket with communications satellite

After unfavorable weather caused a delay, SpaceX on Wednesday launched its Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida's Space Coast. The rocket was carrying a ViaSat-3 communications satellite into orbit. 

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - After "unfavorable weather" caused SpaceX to scrub a launch attempt on Monday, the company successfully launched its Falcon Heavy rocket from the Space Coast on Wednesday. 

The rocket with a ViaSat-3 F3 communications satellite lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 10:13 a.m. EDT.

This marked the first Falcon Heavy launch since 2024.

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center on April 29, 2026. (Credit: SpaceX)

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Sonic booms possible

The Falcon Heavy's side boosters also successfully landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The landing was expected to cause double sonic booms in parts of Central Florida, including in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties.

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ViaSat satellite network

The ViaSat-3 F3 is headed to the geostationary orbit (GEO), which is about 22,000 miles above Earth. Once operational, it will provide broadband service to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

"This launch marks a pivotal moment in our journey to bring fast, secure and reliable high capacity, highly flexible broadband to our commercial, defense and consumer customers," said Dave Abrahamian, vice president of ViaSat's Space Systems, in a statement earlier this month.

ViaSat-3 F3 will be the third and final satellite for the company's ViaSat-3 constellation. The first satellite launched in 2023 on a Falcon Heavy, while the second launched in 2025 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V.