When it comes to rocket launches, Florida’s Space Coast is pretty spoiled.
If you hang out on the beaches, parks, or rivers here in Brevard, you’re probably already having fun. Add watching rocket launches to your activities and places to go this week. Potentially, you will have several chances to do this.
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, viewing rocket launches from here should be visible from anywhere on the Space Coast. Below is a schedule of upcoming rocket launches and suggestions on where to watch them here. If there are any changes to the launches, this story will be updated.
Is there a rocket launch today in Florida? Rocket launch schedule for Florida missions
Here’s what we know about rocket launch missions, mentioned in FLORIDA TODAY’s rocket launch schedule for the month, which is frequently updated. (Check this link often for rocket launch times and dates, as they are regularly subject to change for various reasons).
FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, offers interactive launch coverage at floridatoday.com/space with frequent launch updates at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes more, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email or tweet Space Reporter Rick Neale at [email protected] @rickneale1 on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You can also contact Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at [email protected] or @stream of stars on X and @brooke_of_stars on Instagram.
When will the next rocket launch take place near Cape Canaveral, Florida? Wednesday May 22: SpaceX Starlink
Although SpaceX has not publicly confirmed the existence of this mission, a navigational warning from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency indicates that a rocket launch window will open Wednesday evening. More details:
- Assignment: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites.
- Launch window: 10:33 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22 to 3:04 a.m. Thursday, May 23
- Path: South East.
- Local sound boom: No.
- Additional landing: Drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Live: Starts 90 minutes before takeoff at floridatoday.com/space
When is there a rocket launch near Kennedy Space Center, Florida? Thursday May 23: SpaceX Starlink
A navigational advisory from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency says another 4 1/2-hour launch window will open Thursday evening for a SpaceX Starlink mission.
- Assignment: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload of Starlink internet satellites.
- Launch: 6:45 p.m. to 11:16 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 23
- Path: South East.
- Local sound boom: No
- Additional landing: Drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean
- Live: Starts 90 minutes before takeoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Where can I watch rocket launches online?
If you would like to watch live coverage of a rocket launch, the FLORIDA TODAY space team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space, beginning approximately 90 minutes before launch time or earlier depending on assignment. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space in your browser.
Where to watch a SpaceX or NASA rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, or the Kennedy Space Center
Almost anywhere in Brevard you will have a view of the rocket launch. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should take care not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and follow the rules posted on beaches.
If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.
If you’re further south along the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest place to view the liftoff as it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline (you can even see the pad from some places).
Some hot spots to discover:
- Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Please note, parking is chargeable.
- Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note that parking is chargeable and access to the Canaveral National Seashore is not always granted based on capacity and time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note that parking is available on both sides of the Max Brewer Bridge.
- Park Space View8 Broad Street, Titusville
- Pointe-Sable Park10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
- Cocoa Village, near parks and shops or near the docks
- Various parks on Merritt Island
- Rotary Park1899 S. Courtenay Drive, Merritt Island
- Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
- Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean in port
- Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Be careful, there may be parking fees.
- Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. Parking fees vary.
- Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. By the way, Lori Wilson Park has a dog park.
- Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Be careful, there may be parking fees.
- Downtown Cocoa Beachalong the Minutemen Causeway
- Beach Tables197 SR A1A, satellite beach
- Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Indialantic Walk to Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Parkaka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachfront park)
- Sebastian Entrance Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (entrance fee)
- Ambersands Beach Park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
- South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
- Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach
- Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach
Rick Neale is a space reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of her stories, Click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
