Are launch times ever wrong?

Launch schedules do slip; the saver refreshes periodically so it stays aligned with the latest confirmed time.

No. Launch Library's public API is free and key-less.

Does it cover every launch provider?

It covers orbital launches tracked by Launch Library, which spans SpaceX, NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, China and more.

Yes — free, no download, in your browser.

What does NET mean on a launch date?

It stands for no earlier than. The launch will not go before that time but may slip later.

Why does a countdown sometimes jump?

The database moves to a new target after a delay or scrub, and the countdown follows the schedule rather than a running clock at the pad.

Rocket Launch Countdown Screensaver

The Rocket Launch Countdown screensaver counts down live to the next scheduled orbital rocket launch worldwide, showing the mission, vehicle and launch site — key-less, live from The Space Devs' Launch Library. It's free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.

How the Rocket Launch Countdown screensaver works

The saver fetches the next scheduled orbital launches worldwide, with no key required.

A large countdown ticks down to the soonest confirmed launch time.

The mission name, rocket and launch site are shown beneath the clock.

An optional list previews the next few launches queued up after it.

Where launch schedules come from

The Space Devs maintains Launch Library 2, an API and database covering launches, space events, agencies, astronauts, space stations, launch vehicles and spacecraft, and launch locations and individual pads. It is an aggregated database rather than an official feed from any single launch operator.

A launch time in the database is the planned time, often given as NET (no earlier than) with a window. Many things can move it: weather at the pad, technical problems, range conflicts or a customer’s readiness. The countdown therefore measures time to the currently scheduled attempt, and an attempt that slips will reset to the new time.

The details listed on the screen, the mission name, the rocket and the site, are summaries. Names of vehicles can vary, since one rocket family may have several configurations, and a pad belongs to a wider launch location. An entry marked with a date might still lack a firm time, and the database may not cover every launch. For a launch you want to watch, the provider’s own broadcast channels have the final say.

A worked example

You might see the clock counting down to a real Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, with the mission name overhead — the actual next confirmed launch, not a placeholder.

Settings & tips

Upcoming list toggles the queue of launches after the next one.
Accent recolours the countdown digits.
Launch times can slip — the clock updates automatically when schedules change.

Frequently asked questions

Are launch times ever wrong?: Launch schedules do slip; the saver refreshes periodically so it stays aligned with the latest confirmed time.
Is a key needed?: No. Launch Library's public API is free and key-less.
Does it cover every launch provider?: It covers orbital launches tracked by Launch Library, which spans SpaceX, NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, China and more.
Is it free?: Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
What does NET mean on a launch date?: It stands for no earlier than. The launch will not go before that time but may slip later.
Why does a countdown sometimes jump?: The database moves to a new target after a delay or scrub, and the countdown follows the schedule rather than a running clock at the pad.

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