As is not-at-all unusual, the next two launches scheduled for the Space Coast have slipped to later dates.
SpaceX’s JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 launch on a Falcon 9 rocket, originally scheduled to launch on the 15th, is now slated to launch from Pad SLC-40 on Monday, December 16th. The launch window opens at 7:10 pm EST, and remains open until 8:38 pm. As the payload is being launched to geostationary orbit, the booster is expected to land on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You, and thus will not be visible from shore. Due to the time of this launch, best viewing locations are probably Jetty Park in Port Canaveral, the beaches of Port Canaveral and the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville.
The CST-100 Starliner Orbital Test Flight to the ISS, launching on a ULA Atlas 5 rocket, formerly scheduled to launch on the 19th, is now set to launch from Pad SLC-41 on Friday, December 20th. As is usual for ISS launches, this one has an instantaneous launch window, starting and ending at 6:36 am EST. This launch is the penultimate step before Boeing/ULA’s entry to NASA’s Commercial Crew program can begin sending astronauts to the ISS from American soil. As it is occurring just before sunrise, it’s possible that the noctilucent effect will cause a unique and spectacular visual effect on the plume of the launching rocket, making it a sight not to be missed! Again, due to the time of this launch, preferred viewing locations are probably Jetty Park, Port Canaveral beaches, and the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville.
There is still a SpaceX Starlink 2 launch on the schedule for “late December”, but no further details have been specified, and this launch may well slip to January.
Stay tuned for further details!