✧ Cape Canaveral Launches (June 13–16, 2025)

June 13, 11:21 a.m. EDT — Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 12‑26
Scheduled to launch from SLC‑40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

June 16, 1:25 p.m. EDT (NET) — Atlas V 551 | Project Kuiper (KA‑02)
Scheduled to launch from SLC‑41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Brevard rocketing to recovery: Space Coast is one of fastest-growing economies in U.S.

Back in 2010, Brevard County’s “Space Coast” nickname felt more like a punchline than a promise. But fast forward to today, and the launchpad that once faced mass layoffs is now one of America’s fastest-growing economies—rocketing from survival mode to Starship dreams. Turns out, nobody came to save them—so they built a billion-dollar comeback instead. Full story here.

Solar Orbiter captures 1st images of sun's south pole 5 years after Florida launch

Think you’ve seen the sun? Think again. For the first time in human history, ESA’s Solar Orbiter just snapped high-res shots of the sun’s elusive south pole—and it’s a game-changer. Tilted out of Earth’s boring flat orbit, this spacecraft pulled off the celestial equivalent of a selfie from the sun’s blind spot. Full story here.

Sen. Rick Scott, Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce LAUNCH Act to Support U.S. Space Industry

Tired of government red tape clogging the launchpad? A bipartisan crew just reintroduced the LAUNCH Act to blast through outdated regs and give commercial spaceflight the green light it needs. With backing from space states like Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, this bill isn’t just pro-business—it’s rocket fuel for America’s edge in orbit. Full story here.

IT’S FRIDAY Y’ALL ~ LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

🟊Weekend Vibes🟊

✧ The Read ✧

Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising, the explosive first entry in Pierce Brown’s saga, rockets readers into a brutal future where humanity has colonized the Solar System—and hierarchy rules everything. At its heart is Darrow, a low-born Red who dares to infiltrate the elite Gold class to ignite a rebellion from within. Brown’s world-building is fierce, imaginative, and chillingly plausible, showcasing what might happen if power and cruelty scaled with technology. It’s a gripping, blood-soaked tale of uprising that sets a high bar for the rest of the series. Read review

✧ The Watch ✧

✧ “Reality Fractured” — Dark Matter (Apple TV+)
Dive into a fractured mind-zone where identity collides across parallel lives—prepare for your reality to cave in.

✧ “Cosmic Cowboy Rides Again” — Outer Range: Season 2 (Prime Video)
The time-warping rancher returns, blending frontier grit with cosmic weirdness in a weird-west showdown.

✧ “Silence of the Swords” — Boy Kills World (In Theaters)
A deaf warrior unleashes brutal, wordless vengeance on a dystopian regime—stylized, savage, and unforgettable.

✧ “Empire’s Shadowplay” — Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (Disney+)
Explore the dark origins of Imperial icons in this animated descent into power and betrayal.

✧ “Microdose Madness” — Love, Death & Robots: Vol. 4 (Netflix)
Bite-sized blasts of trippy sci-fi—each episode a surreal hit that punches your brain in new ways.

✧ GTFO ✧

✧ ~ Round Here – Central FL & Space Coast Shenanigans

• 🚀 June 13, 7:45 AM EDT – Falcon 9 blasts off with Starlink Group 12‑26 from SLC‑40 at Cape Canaveral — broadband to orbit, baby!

• 🚀 June 16, 1:25 PM EDT – Atlas V 551 launches Project Kuiper KA‑02 from SLC‑41 — Amazon’s space internet stakes just leveled up.

• 🎨 June 14, 11 AM–11 PM – Bacon Beer Bash at Intracoastal Brewing (Melbourne) — all the bacon‑infused beers you never knew you needed.

• ✨ June 21 (tactical heads‑up) – ONE‑Space under Atlantis Shuttle at KSC — STAR Talks, art, astronaut meet‑ups, cosmic mini‑golf, and DJ vibes.

• 👨‍🚀 June 13–17 – Meet Astronaut Norm Thagard + Astronaut Week at Kennedy Space Center—your chance to chat with a real-life space legend.

~ Further afield ~

• Kansas? Nah, Kissimmee Prairie – Stargazing paradise under dark skies at Florida’s first Dark Sky Park—with glamping, buggy tours, and rocket launch views!

• June 14 – Saturday Night Rodeo at Westgate River Ranch — yee-haw meets open range; buckle up for cowboy chic under the stars.

• June 14 – Fairy Festival at Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales) — spread your wings in a magical summer garden party.

• June 7–8 – Saigon Night Market in Orlando — global street eats, twilight bazaar vibes, and mouthwatering adventure.

• All week – Casselberry Art House – daily workshops, exhibits, and live performances—channel your inner cosmic artist.

• June (tba) – Anime Festival Orlando at Rosen Plaza — cosplay, panels, maid cafés, and otaku vibes for geeks of all galaxies.

~UNTIL NEXT TIME~