SpaceX Rocket Launch Doubleheader Near NASA, Kennedy Space Center: What Time is Liftoff?

SpaceX has a rocket launch doubleheader planned for this week, sending two rockets into orbit just days apart from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The first launch, scheduled for Tuesday evening will send a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). the other, slated for liftoff a few days later, will send a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying two communications satellites for Viaset.

Both launches will take place from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, the historic launch pad used by NASA for its Apollo moon missions and space shuttle program.

The Falcon 9 launch is scheduled to lift off at 7:13 p.m. EDT Tuesday, while the Falcon Heavy launch is set for liftoff at 8:45 p.m. EDT Friday.

Both launches can be viewed live on SpaceX's website. No tickets for viewing are needed.

Here are some additional details about each launch:

Falcon 9 Launch

The Falcon 9 rocket will be carrying a classified payload for the NRO, a U.S. government agency that operates spy satellites. The NRO does not typically disclose details about its missions, so it is not known what the payload will be doing in orbit. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket will attempt to land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean after liftoff.

Falcon Heavy Launch

The Falcon Heavy rocket will be carrying two communications satellites for Viaset, a company that provides internet service to remote areas. The satellites, Viaset-3 and Viaset-4, will be placed into geostationary orbit, where they they will provide broadband internet service to customers in Brazil and Mexico.

The Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world, and this will be its fourth launch. The first stage of the Falcon Heavy rocket will attempt to land back at Kennedy Space Center after liftoff.