The supermoon and SpaceX rose, but ULA scrubs launch, will try again Thursday

The Supermoon and SpaceX Launch Amid ULA Delay

SpaceX successfully launched Wednesday night as the full supermoon rose over Florida's Space Coast, while United Launch Alliance (ULA) postponed its launch attempt. ULA plans to try again Thursday night at 10:16 p.m.

Launch Attempts Set Against a Record-Breaking Year

SpaceX has dominated launches this year, but Wednesday’s plan included a strong showing from ULA. Both companies aimed to complete a pair of launches that would tie the annual record for orbital missions from the Space Coast.

The Supermoon on November 6

The year’s largest supermoon, known as the Beaver Moon, appeared at 5:41 p.m. The Farmer’s Almanac notes this was the second of three supermoons in 2025, and the closest, with the moon just under 222,000 miles from 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.

Launch Details

Earlier in the day, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and ULA’s Atlas V rockets stood less than two miles apart on their respective launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX lifted off first at 8:30 p.m. with the Starlink 6-81 mission, deploying 29 satellites.

"Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida,"

ULA's launch was delayed and rescheduled for the following night.

Summary

On a night marked by an impressive supermoon, SpaceX succeeded in launching its Starlink satellites while ULA postponed its attempt, continuing the Space Coast’s record-setting launch pace.

Author's summary: A rare supermoon illuminated the Space Coast as SpaceX launched 29 satellites, while ULA delayed its launch, planning to try again Thursday night.

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Orlando Sentinel Orlando Sentinel — 2025-11-05

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