Home of the NSF Webcam. Also home of the most amazing coconut shrimp, according to Wayward. They serve brunch, too. Pancakes and coffee as a booster sails into Port? Yes, please.
Author: LaunchRats
Star-Fleet Tours
Star-Fleet Tours offers launch viewing boat tours, and pre-launch guided history boat tours of the spaceport! For more information, check out their website at www.star-fleet.tours.
New ‘Experience’: Fifty-Two, by Wayward Plane
So you might wonder: what is it like, to be a Launch Rat living on the Space Coast?
Well, you see… it’s like this.
Fifty-Two: A Wayward Birthday chronicles ten days in the life of a Launch Rat, beginning with her birthday and proceeding through two rocket launches, the return of the barge bearing the first-stage booster from the former launch, the NASA Social revolving around the Parker Solar Probe and the latter launch, and meeting friends both old and new… including some notable figures from the launch industry. It’s also a first-hand account of the world we live in, in all its splendor and accompanying exhaustion.
Experiencing Falcon Heavy
The second reason to see a live rocket launch is the crowd. Their energy is irreproducible. Humanity cares about this. Ten minutes before launch, the cheering at Kennedy Space Center starts in ripples.
We all shuffle around anxiously, fussing over the perfect spot. I pull up Google Maps and try to triangulate the exact direction it will come from. I get pretty confident. But I know it won’t matter after the first five seconds. From seven miles away, we’re all getting pretty much the same view. I put my phone away.
It’s five minutes away, and John Insprucker comes onto the webcast. I’ve never heard him so happy. He gives a review of the mission, but we know what’s going to happen. We know what we came here to see. Despite the giant screen and the big speakers, he’s just another one of the crowd, here to celebrate with us.
There’s nothing to think about now. I watch the clock and wait. T -1:00. I remember to start the decibel meter on my phone. I put my phone away for the last time. We stare and watch. The crowd can’t handle it anymore; we start to count down.
Next: SpaceX Telstar 18 VANTAGE, 8th Sept 2018 11:28 pm EDT
The next launch to take place from the Space Coast will be the Telstar 18 VANTAGE communications satellite for Telesat, which will provide communications services for parts of India, China, Mongolia, SE Asia and the Pacific Ocean. This satellite will be launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Space Launch Complex 40. The window for the launch opens at 11:28 PM EDT (local) time on 8 September 2018, and closes at 3:28 am on 9 September.
For those planning to view the launch in person, the best available viewing spots at this time of night will probably be on SR-401 in Port Canaveral: either the western curve or the eastern viewing stands. As always, you should plan to get there at least an hour prior to launch; remember to bring water to drink, snacks (if desired) and insect repellent, as you will be right on the edge of the water and Florida skeeters will find you to be a tasty snack.
For those unable to watch in person, tune in to SpaceX’s YouTube channel for the live webcast.
May your journeys be nominal and your missions successful!
*** NOTE for those finding their way to this post via Internet search: As of 12 April 2019, there are strong indications that Route 401 may not be open for future launch viewing, on the request of Brevard County officials. Pay close attention to official sources of information for further updates, and plan to use an alternate viewing location for launches after this time.
No. 1 Wok
Really good Chinese food! Offers local delivery. Lunch specials, Monday through Saturday from 11am to 3pm. In the Dairy Plaza next to Winn Dixie. Recommended by Wayward.
Elon Musk’s Falcon Heavy Video Recap
If you were here on the Space Coast when Falcon Heavy launched, this past February 6th – or if you weren’t – you won’t want to miss this video, tweeted by Elon Musk today with the following statement:
Why Falcon Heavy & Starman?
Life cannot just be about solving one sad problem after another. There need to be things that inspire you, that make you glad to wake up in the morning and be part of humanity. That is why we did it. We did for you.
…Thanks, Musk-dude. Much appreciated.
KSCVC North Lawn
★ www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/see-a-rocket-launch
★ SR 405
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
★ SR 405
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
This is the “Visitor Complex” viewing included with your main admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The actual moments of ignition and liftoff will be obscured by trees, but the launch will be visible once the rocket clears the treeline. Landings at LZ-1 and LZ-2 are not visible from here.
NASA Social Registration for CRS-14 Now Open
As per the NASA Social Media Team announcement on their Twitter, registration is now open to attend the NASA Social Media event for SpaceX’s CRS-14 launch from SLC-40 no earlier than April 2, 2018. The deadline to submit your application is Sunday, 11th March 2018 at 11:59 pm EST.
For more details, and to submit your application, click here: nasa.gov/social/spacex-crs-14-nasa-social. Good luck to all those who apply!
NASA Causeway Viewing Site
★ www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/see-a-rocket-launch
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
Not to be confused with the segment of NASA Causeway that connects Titusville with Merritt Island, and brings visitors to Kennedy Space Center. Admission to this site, when offered, is a premium surcharge on top of your KSC admission. Check KSCVC website for more info. Accessible via bus from KSCVC (parking available). Wheelchair & scooter accessible via KSCVC buses. Food & restrooms available.