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NEXT LAUNCHES
The next launch of a Lockheed-Martin/United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is scheduled for Dec. 8 at the earliest, likely in the evening EST. The vehicle will fly in the 421 configuration with two solid rocket boosters.
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The next launch of a Boeing/United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket is scheduled for October 17 at a time TBA. That will be the third flight of the huge 24-story Delta 4-Heavy rocket.
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This page can also be used as an alternative for Space Shuttle viewing (distance from Port Canaveral is 13 miles to Pad 39A).
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Information on all upcoming launches from Cape Canaveral and the latest information on weather and technical status can be found at www.SpaceflightNow.com. You should check there before leaving for the launch to make sure it is still on time.
Google Earth / Maps coordinates (copy and paste):
28.419 N, 80.630 W (Port Canaveral spot)
The best and closest viewing for Delta 4 launches off Pad 37 is from Port Canaveral. At 8.6 miles clear across water -- the Banana River -- the view is perfect and the sound and rumble can both decently loud, particularly for Delta 4-Heavy launches, and other Delta 4 launches without solid rocket boosters.
For Atlas 5 launches off Pad 41, Port Canaveral, at 11.7 miles, is usually the best choice, but occasionally closer viewing has been found at Playalinda Beach (see "alternative viewing" section below). From Port Canaveral, Atlas 5 launches will be clearly visible but produce a moderate rumble at best due to the distance; the sound is likey to be better defined for Atlas 5 launches without solid rocket boosters.
As for all launches, tuning a scanner to 146.9400 will give you the countdown live for NASA-payload launches, but for non-NASA launches it may not, though some local AM radio stations provide updates.
Enjoy the show!
ALTERNATIVE LAUNCH VIEWING
There is/has been a closer and better spot for Atlas 5. Only if it is open, this spot would be Playalinda Beach, located 5.7 miles from the pad (5.7 to the parking lot beach entrance point; Google Earth/Maps coordinates 28.655N, 80.632 W) and even closer if you walk down the beach. Playalinda Beach is a part of Canaveral National Seashore and is located inside Merrit island National Wildlife Refuge. Night launches can be ruled out (go to Port Canaveral), as the beach and wildlife refuge are not open at night. In fact, however, it has also been closed for some but not all daytime Atlas 5 launches as well.
Playalinda was closed for the two Atlas 5 launches to date that had NASA payloads onboard (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in August 2005, and Pluto New Horizons in January 2006). The beach was closed for a military satellite launch in June 2007 but it was open for the April 2007 late-afternoon launch of a commercial satellite. It can be declared hit and miss at this point if you desire to attempt viewing from here (and calling the refuge visitors center to find out is no guarantee either; they frequently are unaware of launches or provide incorrect information; they said they would be open for the June 2007 launch the day beforehand).
So, if it is closed, you should go to Port Canaveral (or attempt the KSC VC/bus tour option below).
If open, once you have parked at Playalinda, you can actually walk nearly a whole mile down the beach and be as close as 4.8 miles, where the beach-strewn fence and security point is for the Kennedy Space Center.
(Note: Playalinda Beach is over 9 miles from Delta 4's Pad 37 and the view is largely obstructed by trees and brush. Sticking to Port Canaveral is a must for Delta 4 launches).
If the launch occurs during daylight hours (operating hours), the Saturn V Center-- a stop on the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (VC) bus tour-- offers a 5.4 mile view of Atlas Pad 41 (at 8 miles from Delta 4's Pad 37, there is no advantage). (Google Earth / Maps coordinates 28.605N, 80.669 W). Follow directions to the VC on the Shuttle viewing page. In addition, be sure to call ahead and make sure they will be running tours to the Saturn V Center that day. Occasionally, some tour stops are not open on launch day.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (KSC VC) itself (28.523 N, 80.682 W) offers viewing (again, during operating hours only), but with an obstructed view of the pad itself. You will only see the rocket once it has launched and cleared the trees and buildings in front of you. Distance from the Visitors Complex to Pad 41 is 7.2 miles and to Pad 37 is 7.1 miles. Again, this offers little advantage over Port Canaveral for Delta 4/Pad 37.
Occasionally but very rarely (if ever anymore), the VC may offer launch viewing tickets which may take you by bus to the NASA causeway, a good choice with an approximately 3-4 mile-distant view to Pads 37 and 41. Check to see exactly where the viewing is from before you go, and don't mistake "viewing from the visitors complex" for it.
Finally, Titusville is about 13 miles from both Pads 41 and 37, both of which are barely visible from this angle. Don't expect a great view or good sound from this distance considering the rocket's low thrust compared with the Space Shuttle.
DIRECTIONS TO PORT CANAVERAL
From Daytona: Leave no later than two hours before launch (more if you are north of Daytona). Take I-95 south about 55 miles to Exit 205 The Beachline EAST towards "Canaveral: Cape-Port-AFS." Stay on for about 15 miles.
***There are two exits for Port Canaveral, the first is a big BLUE sign and the second is a big GREEN sign, marked exits A and B respectively. Take the first exit, the giant BLUE sign marked TERMINAL A (North Terminals, etc; this is also Rt. 401). The exit loops around on the right. You will then go over a drawbridge. About 1/4 mile later, the road both curves sharply to the right and passes under an overpass at the same time. Pull off on the left (water) side of the road. Parking is allowed here for launches and will fill up close to launch time, so arrive at least an hour beforehand
From Orlando: Take Rt. 528 The Beachline EAST towards Cape Canaveral. Follow all the way (stay to the right when the highway forks) to the cruise ship terminals at Port Canaveral. Follow same *** directions as above, looking for the BLUE sign.
From South on I-95: Take I-95 north to Exit 205 The Beachline EAST towards "Canaveral: Cape-Port-AFS." Stay on for about 15 miles. Follow same *** directions as above, looking for the BLUE sign.
From Cocoa Beach or South on A1A: Follow A1A north. A1A will slowly curve to the left as you drive through the town of Cape Canaveral, passing a US Post Office and a McDonalds, both on the right. Just as A1A starts becoming a bigger highway (it becomes Rt. 528 the Beachline headed towards Orlando) you will get to the exit for the cruise terminals (the BLUE sign exit as named above). A small sign points to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) as being that exit as well. Exit, go over the drawbridge and following the *** directions as above.
DIRECTIONS TO PLAYALINDA BEACH
From Daytona: Leave no later than two hours before launch (more if you are north of Daytona).Take I-95 south about 40 miles to Exit 220 (Rt. 406). Turn left off the exit ramp.
***Follow 406 all the way across the bridge and into Merrit Island NWR. Stay on the road (now Beach Road) all the way to the end. There is a $5.00 entrance fee before you reach the beach. Park and walk out onto the beach. You can walk as much as nearly a mile south before reaching the KSC security fence.
From Orlando: Take Rt. 528 The Beachline EAST towards Cape Canaveral. Look for the fork in the highway and take the left fork towards Titusville and Kennedy Space Center. Next, exit on I-95 north, and go to Exit 220 (Rt. 406). Turn right off the exit ramp and follow *** directions as above.
From South on I-95: Take I-95 north to Exit 220 (Rt. 406). Turn right off exit ramp and follow same *** directions as above.
From Cocoa Beach or South on A1A: Follow A1A north. A1A will slowly curve to the left and become Rt. 528 the Beachline (formerly Beeline). Stay on 528 (you are going west) to I-95 (this is the fastest way; you could also take US 1 north). Exit I-95 north towards Daytona Beach, and get off at Exit 220 (Rt. 406). Turn right off the exit ramp and follow *** directions as above.
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