Updated: 9-Feb-2020 1:53 pm – Star*Fleet Tours cancellation
UPDATE: We’ve learned that Star*Fleet Tours is cancelling tonight’s launch ride due to concerns about rough seas; if you have purchased these tickets, check your email for more info. We recommend Jetty Park as a viewing alternative.
On Sunday, February 9th at 11:03 pm EST, United Launch Alliance will be launching the Solar Orbiter spacecraft for NASA and ESA aboard their Atlas 5 rocket from SLC-41 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Solar Orbiter will travel inside the orbit of Mercury to study the sun’s heliosphere.
Launch Viewing: As this is a late night launch, many viewing locations will not be accessible; Playalinda Beach, for example, will be closed to the public. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be offering premium viewing at their LC-39 Gantry, but the tickets for this have already sold out has had to cancel LC-39 Gantry viewing due to safety concerns. Since this launch seems to be expected to follow a southeast trajectory, the best viewing locations will likely be Jetty Park, the viewing stands at SR-401, or the beaches in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Viewing will also be possible from the parks along US-1 in Titusville.
UPDATE: Star*Fleet Tours will be offering launch viewing from a preferred location offshore! This will provide one of the best, if not the best, view of the launch. (Note: Location on viewing map below is very approximate, and does not reflect the boat’s actual position.) They’re also offering a separate pre-launch viewing tour of the rocket’s roll-out on Saturday. Hurry up and get your tickets – these sell out fast! More information available at www.star-fleet.tours
Viewing Advice: The launch window opens at 11:03 pm and extends for two hours, so you may be in your viewing location for some time. Florida in the winter, especially at night and near the water, can get quite chilly – make sure you have a warm jacket with you! Bring a social media device so you can keep track of any launch updates or delays. And as always, keep an eye on social media on the days and hours prior to the launch – delays are common.
Other Information: Our best information at this time indicates that the rocket will be rolled out to the pad on Saturday, February 8th, around 10 am. This will probably be visible from Playalinda Beach, so if you’re in the area, you might want to take a trip over to watch. Admission to Playalinda is $20, and allows you 7 consecutive days of access to the beach.
Stay tuned for any launch updates!
