Falcon 9 | BlueBird Block 2 #6-8: Launch Time & How to Watch (Aug 31, 2026)

What is launching?

A SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket is set to launch the BlueBird Block 2 #6-8 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The BlueBird satellites belong to AST SpaceMobile, a company building a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect ordinary smartphones directly to satellites, without any specialized ground equipment.

The Block 2 BlueBird satellites are among the largest commercial communications satellites ever flown to low Earth orbit, featuring huge phased-array antennas that enable direct-to-device connectivity for standard mobile phones.

When is the launch?

The mission is currently targeting 31 August 2026 at 00:00 UTC. The status is listed as TBD, meaning the exact time and date remain subject to change as SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile finalize the schedule and monitor weather and range conditions.

Because this is an early-notice target, we recommend checking our rocket launch schedule for the latest confirmed time and any updates.

How to watch live

SpaceX typically begins its official webcast around 15 minutes before liftoff, carried on its website and social channels. Coverage includes the countdown, ascent, stage separation, and the landing of the Falcon 9 first stage.

You can also follow the entire mission in real time on Cosmik. Our live 3D solar system and satellite map lets you watch the rocket lift off and track the deployed BlueBird satellites as they enter orbit. For a complete list of upcoming SpaceX flights, visit our SpaceX launch hub.

What is the payload?

The BlueBird Block 2 satellites are AST SpaceMobile's second-generation spacecraft, significantly larger and more capable than the first five BlueBirds launched in 2024. Each satellite unfolds an enormous phased-array antenna, the largest commercial communications array deployed in low Earth orbit, to beam cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones on the ground.

The company's goal is to eliminate mobile dead zones worldwide by partnering with terrestrial carriers, allowing users to send texts, make calls, and access data even in remote areas beyond the reach of traditional cell towers. This mission carries units #6 through #8 of the growing constellation.

Why direct-to-device matters

Direct-to-cell technology is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in satellite communications. By connecting standard phones without special hardware, operators like AST SpaceMobile aim to serve billions of people in areas without reliable coverage. The large Block 2 satellites are engineered to deliver higher capacity and broader coverage than earlier designs.

Where does Falcon 9 launch from?

SLC-40 is one of SpaceX's busiest launch pads, located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Florida's Space Coast. The pad supports a high cadence of Falcon 9 missions, from Starlink deployments to commercial and government payloads.

The Falcon 9 Block 5 is the latest and most reliable iteration of SpaceX's workhorse rocket, designed for rapid reuse. After stage separation, the first stage typically returns to Earth for a landing either on a droneship at sea or back at Cape Canaveral, depending on the mission profile.

Key facts at a glance

• Rocket: Falcon 9 Block 5, a two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle.
• Operator: SpaceX, on behalf of AST SpaceMobile.
• Payload: BlueBird Block 2 satellites #6-8 for direct-to-device connectivity.
• Orbit: Low Earth orbit.
• Recovery: Falcon 9 first-stage landing expected.

Background details on the vehicle and site are available via Falcon 9, SpaceX, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wikipedia. Launch data is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Don't miss liftoff. Track this Falcon 9 mission in real time on our live 3D map, follow the latest launch news, and enable free launch alerts so you're notified the moment BlueBird Block 2 #6-8 heads to orbit.