Falcon 9 O3b mPOWER 11-13: Launch Set for 30 September 2026

When is the launch?

A SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 is scheduled to lift off no earlier than 00:00 UTC on 30 September 2026 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The mission will carry the O3b mPOWER 11-13 satellites to orbit. The status is currently listed as TBD, so the exact time may shift as the launch window firms up.

You can always check the current status on our rocket launch schedule, which updates in real time.

Launch details at a glance

What is the payload?

The O3b mPOWER constellation is a second-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) broadband network operated by SES, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator. Built by Boeing, each mPOWER satellite is a high-throughput, fully software-defined spacecraft capable of steering thousands of beams to deliver flexible, high-capacity connectivity to enterprise, government, maritime, aviation and telecom customers worldwide.

The original O3b system operated at roughly 8,000 km altitude in equatorial MEO, sitting between the low Earth orbit megaconstellations and the traditional geostationary belt. The mPOWER generation dramatically increases capacity and flexibility over that first fleet. This mission adds satellites 11 through 13 to the growing constellation, continuing SES's expansion of the network's global coverage.

Which rocket is flying?

The Falcon 9 Block 5 is SpaceX's workhorse two-stage rocket and the most frequently flown launch vehicle in the world. Its reusable first stage returns to Earth for a landing either on a droneship at sea or back at the Cape, enabling rapid reflight and driving down launch costs. Falcon 9 has become the primary ride for a wide range of commercial, government and constellation payloads.

Explore more SpaceX missions and the wider Cape Canaveral launch manifest on Cosmik.

How to watch live

SpaceX typically begins its webcast around 15 minutes before liftoff, streaming from its official channels. Coverage of MEO deployment missions like this one usually runs through payload separation, which for mPOWER flights comes well after the standard commercial GEO transfer timeline given the higher orbit.

To follow the countdown, track the rocket in 3D during ascent, and watch the satellites join the constellation once deployed, use Cosmik's live 3D solar system and satellite map. Our real-time launch tracker shows the vehicle's trajectory and orbital insertion as it happens.

What to expect during the flight

• T-0: Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral.
• Stage separation: The first stage separates and begins its return for a droneship or land landing.
• Second-stage burns: Multiple burns place the payload on its transfer path toward medium Earth orbit.
• Deployment: The O3b mPOWER satellites separate to begin orbit-raising and commissioning.

Why does this launch matter?

Each batch of mPOWER satellites expands SES's ability to deliver low-latency, high-capacity broadband from MEO — a region of space that is comparatively less crowded than LEO but offers lower latency than geostationary orbit. As demand for connectivity across shipping, aviation, remote enterprise and government sectors grows, the mPOWER fleet is central to SES's next-generation service strategy.

Once these spacecraft reach their operational orbit, you'll be able to spot them alongside thousands of other active satellites on our live map. If you're curious about how orbital tracking works, see our guide on how to track satellites.

Where does the launch data come from?

Launch timing and mission details are drawn from public launch databases including The Space Devs Launch Library. Because this launch is marked TBD, always confirm the latest time before tuning in. Background on the vehicle and operator is available via Falcon 9, SpaceX and O3b mPOWER.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Don't miss liftoff. Watch the Falcon 9 O3b mPOWER 11-13 mission in real time on Cosmik, track the deployed satellites as they join the constellation, and enable free launch alerts so you're notified the moment the countdown begins. Stay current with the latest launch news.