SpaceX Set for Sunday Morning Rocket Launch at Cape Canaveral
By Space Coast Daily // July 11, 2025
Coverage of the launch can be seen on Space Coast Daily TV
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket Sunday carrying a cryptically named payload “Commercial GTO-1″ from Cape Canaveral.
The launch window opens at 12:31 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
While official details about the mission remain sparse, aerospace watchers and industry insiders speculate that the payload may be the Israeli Dror-1 communications satellite, a high-capacity satellite built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). If confirmed, this launch would mark a significant milestone for Israel’s satellite industry, particularly as the Dror-1 is expected to support a wide range of communications services and potentially expand Israel’s presence in geostationary orbit.
Designed to reach geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), the mission will see the Falcon 9’s first stage attempt a landing on a droneship positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, continuing SpaceX’s tradition of reusability and cost efficiency.
As with many high-value and strategically sensitive payloads, SpaceX and the satellite operator have released limited information ahead of liftoff. The “Commercial GTO-1” moniker could be a placeholder or simply an effort to keep the mission profile discreet until post-launch confirmation.
Weather conditions for the launch will be monitored closely, with updates expected from the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron as the countdown progresses.
