There is something primal about watching a rocket launch.

Even through a screen, the sight of millions of pounds of thrust fighting gravity is mesmerizing.

I remember trying to track these events a few years ago.

It was a nightmare of conflicting time zones, refreshing Twitter feeds, and scrubbing through YouTube channels.

I missed half the launches I wanted to see.

Or worse, I stayed up until 3:00 AM only to find out the launch had been scrubbed hours ago.

Then I stumbled upon Next Spaceflight.

If you follow the space industry even casually, this app is an absolute game-changer.

At My Core Pick, we look for apps that solve problems with elegance, and this is the gold standard for space tracking.

Here is why I rely on Next Spaceflight to ensure I never miss a liftoff, and how you can get the most out of it.

The Interface: Clean, Dark, and Data-Rich

The first thing you notice when you open Next Spaceflight is the design.

It defaults to a sleek dark mode that feels right at home with the subject matter.

Space is dark; your tracking app should be too.

I appreciate that it doesn’t scream "data spreadsheet" immediately.

Instead, you are greeted with a beautiful, chronological feed of upcoming launches.

Each card features a high-quality photo of the rocket or the payload.

It instantly builds excitement.

But don’t let the pretty pictures fool you.

Underneath the hood, this app is powered by a massive database.

It aggregates data from NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Roscosmos, and emerging private companies.

Navigation That Makes Sense

I love how intuitive the navigation bar is at the bottom.

You have your "Launches" tab, which is your home base.

Then there is an "Events" tab, which we will get to later.

There is also a dedicated "Starship" tab.

This is a brilliant addition by the developers.

SpaceX’s Starship program moves at a breakneck pace compared to traditional aerospace.

Separating it keeps the main feed from getting cluttered with static fire tests and road closures.

It shows that the developers actually use their own product and understand the community.

Mastering the Notification System

This is the bread and butter of the app.

If you download Next Spaceflight for only one reason, make it the notification system.

I have tried other apps that either alert you too late or spam you to death.

Next Spaceflight strikes the perfect balance, but you need to tweak it.

Here is how I have mine set up to stay sane.

Customizing Your Alerts

I don't need to wake up for every single satellite deployment.

However, I definitely want to know when a Falcon Heavy or an SLS is going up.

In the settings, you can toggle notifications for specific launch providers.

I keep "All" on for major players like SpaceX and NASA.

For smaller startups or routine launches in time zones that don't match mine, I often toggle them off.

The Countdown Sequence

The app allows you to set a series of notifications as the launch approaches.

I personally use the 24-hour notice to plan my day.

Then, I have the 10-minute warning enabled.

This is the "drop everything and find a screen" alarm.

It gives me just enough time to grab a coffee, open the stream, and settle in.

The app also sends notifications for status changes.

If a launch date shifts to the right, you know instantly.

If a launch is scrubbed due to weather?

You get a notification immediately, saving you from staring at an empty launchpad for an hour.

Deep Diving into Mission Data

One of my favorite things to do while waiting for T-Minus Zero is reading the mission details.

Next Spaceflight provides an impressive amount of context.

When you tap on a launch card, you aren't just getting a time.

You get the full story.

The Rocket and Payload

I love learning about what is actually sitting inside the fairing.

Is it a spy satellite? A batch of Starlinks? Supplies for the ISS?

The app provides a concise summary of the payload and its mission parameters.

It also details the rocket itself.

You can see the specific booster serial number.

For SpaceX fans, this is crucial.

You can see how many times that specific booster has flown before.

It adds a narrative arc to a piece of hardware.

Landing Details

We are living in the age of reusable rockets.

The app tells you not just where the launch is, but where the landing is happening.

Will it return to the launch site (RTLS)?

Is it landing on a drone ship in the ocean?

Knowing this ahead of time helps you understand what to look for during the broadcast.

I always check this to know if I should stick around after stage separation.

The "Probability" Metric

This is a small feature that saves a lot of heartache.

The app pulls in weather data and technical readiness reports.

It gives you a probability percentage for the launch actually occurring on time.

If I see a "90% Go," I’m making popcorn.

If I see "40% Go" due to upper-level winds, I keep my expectations low.

It manages my emotional investment beautifully.

The Starship and Starbase Connection

As I mentioned earlier, the dedicated Starship section deserves its own praise.

If you are following the development in Boca Chica, Texas, this is essential.

Starship development is iterative and chaotic.

It doesn’t follow the standard schedule of traditional launches.

Next Spaceflight tracks the nitty-gritty details that other apps miss.

Tracking the Testing Campaign

I use this tab to see when road closures are scheduled.

It tracks cryoproof tests and static fires.

These are the precursors to a launch.

By following these milestones, you get a sense of when the actual flight will happen.

It makes you feel like an insider.

You aren't just waiting for a press release; you are watching the progress in real-time.

Live Stream Integration

When the time finally comes, finding the stream is effortless.

I used to scramble through YouTube searching for the official feed.

Often, I’d end up on a fake channel looping old footage.

Next Spaceflight puts a big, red "Watch Live" button right on the launch card.

It links directly to the official providers or trusted third-party streamers like NASASpaceflight.

One tap, and you are live.

It removes all the friction from the experience.

Beyond the Launch: Catalog and Community

While the app excels at "Next," it is also great for "Previous."

The database of past launches is a fantastic resource.

I often find myself using it to settle debates or just to browse history.

You can look back at the Apollo missions or the early Shuttle flights.

It serves as a pocket encyclopedia of space exploration history.

The Events Tab

Launches aren't the only thing happening in orbit.

The "Events" tab covers the other critical moments.

I use this to track dockings with the International Space Station.

It also tracks hatch openings and undockings.

Watching a Dragon capsule dock with the ISS is almost as tense as the launch itself.

Having these events listed in my local time zone is incredibly helpful.

Community Photos

There is a subtle social aspect to the app as well.

It features a catalog of photos from various astrophotographers.

The imagery is stunning.

It connects the dry data of timestamps and trajectories with the visual beauty of spaceflight.

It reminds you why we care about this stuff in the first place.

Why This App stays on My Home Screen

In a world of cluttered apps and subscription fatigue, Next Spaceflight stands out.

It does one thing, and it does it perfectly.

It bridges the gap between complex aerospace schedules and the casual enthusiast.

It respects my time by giving me accurate, timely notifications.

It respects my intelligence by providing deep technical data without being overwhelming.

I have found that using this app has actually increased my engagement with the space industry.

Because I know when things are happening, I watch more of them.

I understand the context of the missions better.

I feel more connected to the incredible progress humanity is making among the stars.

Final Thoughts

If you have ever felt the ground shake (or just your subwoofer) during a launch, you get it.

There is a new space race heating up.

We are going back to the Moon.

We are eyeing Mars.

Commercial space stations are on the drawing board.

The cadence of launches is only going to increase from here.

You don't want to be the person reading about it the next day.

You want to see it happen live.

Download Next Spaceflight.

Set up your notifications.

And keep looking up.

You won't regret it.