Carol R. writes:
“I’m trying to find the best place to watch a rocket launch on July 31st 37B and was wondering if you could tell me some places to look into?”
It’s easy to figure out where you want to view a launch from, when that launch occurs during regular daylight hours: Kennedy Space Center often offers excellent viewing options, and the parks along U.S. 1 are always a safe bet. But what do you do when the rocket is launching in the late night or early morning hours, when Kennedy Space Center and many parks are closed?
This is a dilemma many of us face, especially during the course of the next few anticipated launches: SpaceX‘s CRS-15 launch to the ISS is currently slated to go up at 5:41 am on June 29th, and ULA‘s Parker Solar Probe launch is currently scheduled for August 4th at 3:57 am. Where, exactly, does one go at this time of day (night) to watch the rocket launch?
Because Brevard County parks are listed as being open to the public from dawn until dusk only, and in fact the parking areas for many of the U.S. 1 parks are gated at night, this limits many options ordinarily available. At this point, I don’t yet know what’s technically allowed after hours. We’re currently researching this, and hope to have a complete and official list of Do’s and Don’ts available here in the near future.
In the meantime, note that Exploration Tower is – rather unexpectedly! – offering VIP Launch Viewing for the upcoming CRS-15 launch, and will be opening at 5 am on June 29th to accommodate ticket holders only. For tickets and more information, click here.
Hope to see you soon at an upcoming Launch Day!