FIRST ALERT: When to watch for the next SpaceX launch

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Maybe you were one of the lucky ones, catching a glimpse of the SpaceX Falcon 9 as it streaked across the morning sky on July 9th. If not, there’s a chance the Midlands may be able to see it again this week.

A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida this July 14th with a launch window opening at 3:15 AM. While a dark pre-dawn sky provides a nice backdrop for that “space jellyfish” effect, the rocket itself will need to climb high enough at just the right time to catch the rays of a rising sun.

The launch window opens July 14th at 3:15 AM and closes at 7:15 AM. If everything goes as planned, including the Earth’s rotation, the target’s position and the weather, the SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch Tuesday morning. Speaking of weather, the Midlands is forecast to have mostly cloudy skies, which means our view will likely be less than ideal.

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