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Launch viewing information
Page updated January 28
NEXT LAUNCHES
The next Boeing/United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket is scheduled to launch the GOES-P weather satellite for NASA & NOAA on March 1 at 6:19pm EST, four minutes before sunset. The launch window stretches 60 minutes and closes at 7:19pm EST. The vehicle will fly in a medium configuration with two solid rocket boosters.
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The next Lockheed-Martin/United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is scheduled to launch the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) for NASA on February 9, at 10:30am EST. The launch window will stretch 60 minutes and close at 11:30am EST. The vehicle will fly in the 401 configuration with no solid rocket boosters. NOTE: The KSC visitors center will allow viewing from the Saturn V center for this launch, 5.3 miles away. You must be on a tour bus by 9:30am.
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The debut flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for March 3 at the very earliest, at 11:00am ET whatever day it is. The launch window will stretch four hours and close at 3:00pm ET.
Information on the launch 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. You can receive up-to-the-minute text message launch updates on your cell phone from them by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404 (to stop them, text "leave spaceflightnow"; you can turn it on and off at any time). You can also keep track of future launch dates here.
If you have further questions, or want to know how to photograph a Delta 4, Atlas 5 or Falcon 9 launch, please ask.
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LAUNCH VIEWING
Google Earth / Maps coordinates: 28.419 N, 80.630 W (Port Canaveral spot)
For Atlas 5 launches off Pad 41 (Google Earth / Maps coordinates 28.583 N, 80.583 W), Playalinda Beach is the closest and best spot, at 4.8 miles from the launch pad; however, it is only open in the daytime and has in the past been closed on occasion. All other times and at night, Port Canaveral, at 11.7 miles, is the best viewing spot. In addition, the Saturn V Center museum (5.3 miles), a stop on the KSC visitors complex tours, is also an option for daytime Atlas 5 launches (see 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 they are much slower.
For Falcon 9 launches off Complex 40 (Google Earth / Maps coordinates 28.562 N, 80.577 W), the former Titan 4 pad, Port Canaveral (10.3 miles), Playalinda (6.3 miles with an obstructed view) and the Saturn V Center (also 6.3 miles) are all options.
Live updates on how the countdown is progressing can now be had by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404, courtesy of SpaceflightNow.com. Many times, 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 also provide updates.
Enjoy the show!
PLAYALINDA BEACH
The closest and best spot for Atlas 5 (and Falcon 9 when it debuts) is Playalinda Beach, but only if it is open. Parking (Google Earth/Maps coordinates 28.655N, 80.632 W) is located 5.8 miles from Atlas 5 Pad 41 and 7.2 miles from Falcon 9 Pad 40, and you can walk down the beach to a distance of 4.8 miles (Atlas 5) and 6.3 miles (Falcon 9) and be closer (as far as the KSC security fence which crosses 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. It has also been closed for a couple of daytime launches in the past as well, so give yourself enough time or call the visitors center on launch day. (Note: Playalinda Beach is over 9 miles from Delta 4's Pad 37 and the view is obstructed by trees and brush. Sticking to Port Canaveral is a must for Delta 4 launches).
KSC VISITORS COMPLEX & SATURN V CENTER
If the launch occurs during mid-day or afternoon hours, the Saturn V Center - a stop on the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (VC) bus tour - offers a 5.3 mile view of Atlas Pad 41 and 6.3 mile distance from Pad 40 (at 8 miles from Delta 4's Pad 37, there is no real advantage over Port Canaveral). (Google Earth / Maps coordinates 28.605N, 80.669 W). Follow directions to the VC on the Shuttle viewing page.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (KSC VC) itself (28.523 N, 80.682 W) offers viewing (again, during operating hours only), but with no 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; to Pad 37 is 7.1 miles; and to Pad 40 is 6.7 miles. Again, this offers little advantage over Port Canaveral for Delta 4/Pad 37.
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 McDonald's, 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.
PHOTOS OF DELTA 4 LAUNCHES FROM PORT CANAVERAL
The photo at the top of this page of a Delta 4 was taken with a zoom lens
Daytime, D4-Heavy - telephoto lens
Nighttime, D4-Heavy - telephoto lens
Nighttime, time lapse shows clear view
PHOTOS OF ATLAS 5 LAUNCHES FROM PORT CANAVERAL:
Daytime, with SRBs - actual view
Daytime, no SRBs - zoomed in
PHOTOS OF ATLAS 5 LAUNCH FROM PLAYALINDA BEACH:
Daytime, no SRBs - zoomed and wide
Daytime, no SRBs - zoomed in a little
VIDEOS OF DELTA 4 LAUNCHES FROM PORT CANAVERAL
Daytime, with SRBS - actual view