ULA, SpaceX rocket launches from Florida kick off July 4th weekend

• Two rocket launches are scheduled from Cape Canaveral before the Independence Day weekend.
• A ULA Atlas V rocket is set to launch Amazon satellites early Thursday morning.
• A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch Starlink satellites on Friday morning.
• Both rockets will travel on a northeast trajectory after liftoff from the Space Coast.

This story has been updated with a change in the date of the SpaceX launch from Florida.

As the fireworks begin, Florida is set to ring in Independence Day with two rocket launches from Cape Canaveral around the July 4th holiday.  

The first of two rocket launches is set for no earlier than 12:24 a.m. Thursday, July 2 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The mission consists of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket delivering a batch of Amazon Leo broadband satellites to low-Earth orbit. If needed, ULA has until 12:53 a.m. to make the July 2 launch window.

The Atlas V rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory, possibly giving those north of the Space Coast a good view of the launch.

The second liftoff is now set for no earlier than 6:36 a.m. Sunday, July 5 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If needed, SpaceX has until 10:36 a.m. to make the launch window.

The mission, known as Starlink 10-50, will deliver 29 of the company's Starlink satellites to orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket will travel on a northeast trajectory after liftoff.

No Brevard sonic booms are expected Friday, as the rocket’s first stage booster will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.