SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket After Artemis II Moon Mission

The early morning launch from Cape Canaveral continues a busy year for Florida's space industry.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Just days after NASA's historic Artemis II moon rocket launch, SpaceX successfully sent a Falcon 9 rocket into orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The early morning liftoff at 7:55 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026 carried a payload of Starlink broadband satellites, further expanding the company's satellite internet network.

Why it matters

SpaceX's latest launch comes on the heels of the highly anticipated Artemis II mission, which sent NASA's new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on a critical test flight around the Moon. The back-to-back high-profile launches underscore Florida's status as the epicenter of the new space age, with multiple private and government entities competing for launch slots at the storied Cape Canaveral spaceport.

The details

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off right on schedule at 7:55 a.m. local time, with the first stage booster successfully landing on an offshore drone ship minutes later. This marked the 65th operational flight of a Falcon 9 as part of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet program, which now has nearly 3,000 satellites in orbit.

  • The Artemis II moon rocket launched on March 31, 2026.
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:55 a.m. on April 2, 2026.

The players

SpaceX

A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a federal government agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Artemis II

NASA's second mission in the Artemis program, which will send astronauts on a flight around the Moon using the new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

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What they’re saying

“The back-to-back launches from Cape Canaveral show that Florida remains the premier destination for space exploration and commercial spaceflight.”

— Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator

What’s next

NASA is targeting no earlier than May 2024 for the Artemis III mission, which will land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

Florida's Space Coast is experiencing a renaissance, with both government and private space companies competing for launch opportunities at the historic Cape Canaveral spaceport. The rapid cadence of high-profile missions underscores the state's central role in the new era of space exploration and development.