diff --git a/changelog.d/1186-launch-unknown-coordinates.md b/changelog.d/1186-launch-unknown-coordinates.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d03c2d902
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/1186-launch-unknown-coordinates.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+- Keep missing launch-pad coordinates unknown so launches use the location
+  fallback or stay off the map instead of appearing at 0°N 0°E. Missing stage
+  flight numbers no longer show "FLIGHT 0"
+  (Rudy Celekli, @rudycelekli, #1186).
diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index 8cb7b6d17..105fdd37f 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -791,6 +791,11 @@ and `./layers/launches`. Each owns its catalog, render state, tracking, interact
 and teardown. Source adapters retain the existing CelesTrak and Launch Library
 endpoints; standalone entries provide scene services and the satellite dependency.
 The mission factory separates paths, replay, camera, panel, overlays and placement.
+Launch Library pad coordinates retain unknown values: missing fields use the
+reported location coordinates when available, and launches without a known pad
+position stay off the map. Genuine zero coordinates remain valid. Undisclosed
+stage coordinates, downrange distance and flight numbers remain unknown; the
+mission panel omits the flight-number label when no number was reported.
 Pending mission requests abort on disable/destruction and malformed launch
 snapshots preserve the last accepted display. Catalog groups, propagation cadence,
 tracking intent, replay timing, controls and source attribution remain unchanged.
diff --git a/src/data/rocketLaunches.test.mjs b/src/data/rocketLaunches.test.mjs
index ccfd280e2..b68a11db3 100644
--- a/src/data/rocketLaunches.test.mjs
+++ b/src/data/rocketLaunches.test.mjs
@@ -677,6 +677,37 @@ test('uses Launch Library 2 pad latitude/longitude fields', () => {
   assert.equal(launches[0].lon, -120.611);
 });
 
+test('null or blank pad coordinates stay unknown instead of becoming 0', () => {
+  const base = { net: '2026-07-20T10:00:00Z' };
+  for (const blank of [null, '', '  ', false]) {
+    assert.deepEqual(
+      normalizeRocketLaunches([{ ...base, id: 'blank', pad: { latitude: blank, longitude: blank } }], NOW),
+      [],
+    );
+  }
+});
+
+test('null pad coordinates use the location fallback instead of 0,0', () => {
+  const base = { net: '2026-07-20T10:00:00Z' };
+  const [fallback] = normalizeRocketLaunches([{ ...base, id: 'fallback',
+    pad: { latitude: null, longitude: null, location: { coordinates: '-80.6,28.6' } } }], NOW);
+  assert.equal(fallback.lat, 28.6);
+  assert.equal(fallback.lon, -80.6);
+});
+
+test('an undisclosed landing keeps top-level position and stage numbers unknown', () => {
+  const base = { net: '2026-07-20T10:00:00Z' };
+  const [launch] = normalizeRocketLaunches([{ ...base, id: 'landing', pad: { latitude: 1, longitude: 2 },
+    rocket: { launcher_stage: [{ launcher_flight_number: null,
+      landing: { attempt: true, latitude: null, longitude: null, downrange_distance: null,
+        landing_location: { latitude: null, longitude: null } } }] } }], NOW);
+  const [stage] = launch.recoveryStages;
+  assert.equal(stage.lat, null);
+  assert.equal(stage.lon, null);
+  assert.equal(stage.downrangeKm, null);
+  assert.equal(stage.flightNumber, null);
+});
+
 test('normalizes detailed payload and stage recovery records', () => {
   const launches = normalizeRocketLaunches({ results: [{
     id: 'recovery-details',
diff --git a/src/layers/launches/model.js b/src/layers/launches/model.js
index 0a9dd67ea..5697e07e8 100644
--- a/src/layers/launches/model.js
+++ b/src/layers/launches/model.js
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ export const UNKNOWN_LAUNCH_STATUS = msg('Unknown');
 
 export function createModel({ state: layerState, services, parts, source }) {
   function finiteCoordinate(value) {
+    // Number(null), Number('') and Number(false) are 0: absent is not zero.
+    if (value == null || typeof value === 'boolean') return null;
+    if (typeof value === 'string' && value.trim() === '') return null;
     const number = Number(value);
     return Number.isFinite(number) ? number : null;
   }
@@ -184,15 +187,11 @@ export function createModel({ state: layerState, services, parts, source }) {
         const pad = launch.pad || {};
         const location = pad.location || {};
         const coordinates = location.coordinates || '';
-        const [coordinateLon, coordinateLat] = String(coordinates)
-          .split(',')
-          .map(Number);
-        const lat = Number.isFinite(Number(pad.latitude))
-          ? Number(pad.latitude)
-          : coordinateLat;
-        const lon = Number.isFinite(Number(pad.longitude))
-          ? Number(pad.longitude)
-          : coordinateLon;
+        const [coordinateLon, coordinateLat] = String(coordinates).split(',');
+        const lat =
+          finiteCoordinate(pad.latitude) ?? finiteCoordinate(coordinateLat);
+        const lon =
+          finiteCoordinate(pad.longitude) ?? finiteCoordinate(coordinateLon);
         const payloads = normalizePayloadFlights(launch);
         return {
           id: String(