The supermoon and SpaceX launch while ULA delays
On Wednesday night, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket as the full supermoon rose over the Space Coast. United Launch Alliance (ULA) had to postpone its launch attempt and plans to try again Thursday at 10:16 p.m.
This year, SpaceX has completed the majority of launches, but ULA aimed to complete a pair of launches Wednesday that might have tied the annual record for orbital missions from the Space Coast. Both companies had rockets positioned less than two miles apart at launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier that day.
The Beaver Moon and its significance
The supermoon, also called the Beaver Moon according to the Farmer’s Almanac, was the second of three supermoons in 2025. It was the closest, coming within just under 222,000 miles of Earth.
“Its proximity is what makes it a supermoon, which can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest full moon of the year,” according to NASA.
SpaceX Starlink mission launch
Following moonrise at 5:41 p.m., SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-81 mission at 8:30 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 40, carrying 29 satellites into orbit.
“Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida,”
ULA’s postponed attempt
Meanwhile, ULA's Atlas V rocket was grounded and will attempt launch again Thursday night, delaying its contribution to the annual launch total.
Despite the delay, the events demonstrated the high activity and competitiveness of space launches from the Space Coast.
Author's summary: SpaceX launched during November's bright supermoon while ULA postponed its launch, highlighting a busy year of record-setting missions from the Space Coast.