Author: WaywardPlane

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX CRS-20, Starlink 5

posted on 20th February, 2020 12:54 pm by

(Updated: 3-Mar-2020, Gantry sellout & Starlink slip)

The latest word is that SpaceX will be launching supplies and science on the CRS-20 mission to the International Space Station on a Falcon 9 rocket from SLC-40 on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:50 pm EST (delayed from Monday, March 2, 2020 at 1:45 am EST). This launch will feature a Return to Landing Site (RTLS) booster return to LZ-1.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has just announced that they WILL be offering premium viewing at the LC-39 Gantry location SOLD OUT and at the Apollo Saturn V/Banana Creek location. These tickets will sell out fast! More info at https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/2020/march/rocket-launch-spacex-falcon-9-crs-20

Star*Fleet Tours will be operating a viewing mission on their boats for this launch. Tickets remain on sale with a few spots still available for $75 per person, although their website still states the previous launch date; as per their policies, tickets purchased for March 2 will be honored for the reschedule. This will be the best possible vantage point for viewing the booster landing! Get in on this if you can. More information is available at star-fleet.tours/current.

Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral states that “tickets will be on sale soon” for this launch. They offer an elevated view of launch and landing (7 stories up, on their observation deck) but do not allow folding chairs or tripods. Their website at explorationtower.com will have more information on this.

Jetty Park has not yet announced whether they will be open for this launch (which lies outside their normal operating hours) but based on past launches, it seems likely that they will be. This location will be preferable for viewing the booster landing. Their page at facebook.com/JettyParkBeachandCampground will have more information.

The pedestrian lanes of the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville will likely be available for launch viewing. Its northerly location of the Max Brewer Bridge will favor launch viewing over landing, but the elevation of the bridge may allow a better view. Open spaces and parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville, such as the location at Rt. 50 and U.S. 1, and Space View Park, will also be available for viewing.

Viewing locations that will be CLOSED and unavailable include Playalinda Beach, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and any park along U.S. 1 which has gates that can be closed to prevent cars from entering/leaving their parking lot.

Following CRS-20, the next launch scheduled from the Space Coast will be SpaceX’s Starlink 5 mission, launching another batch of Starlink satellites from pad LC-39A on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 10:40 am EDT Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 9:35 AM. Because this is a morning launch, most standard viewing locations should be available and accessible. As Starlink launches historically feature drone ship landings of the first-stage boosters, which are not visible from shore, and because these launches tend to head northward, viewing sites that are to the north and west of the pad (Kennedy Space Center’s Banana Creek/Apollo Saturn V Center, Playalinda Beach, areas along U.S. 1 in Titusville) may be preferable to more southern areas like Jetty Park and Cocoa Beach.

Watch this space for further updates, and best of luck on your launch viewing journey!

Next Launch: SpaceX Starlink 4, SLIPPED to NET 17 Feb 2020

posted on 13th February, 2020 11:01 am by

(Revised: 15 Feb 2020 6:09 pm – another slip)

Due to a potential issue with a second-stage valve component, SpaceX will now be launching their Starlink 4 mission on a Falcon 9 rocket from pad SLC-40 no earlier than Monday, 17 February 2020. No time has yet been given, but if the launch happens on Monday, it will probably be scheduled for closer to 10:00 am. The booster is expected to land on the drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) and this landing will not be visible from shore.

Launch Viewing Advice: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has offered premium viewing tickets for the LC-39 Gantry for sale; however, those tickets have already sold out. (PROTIP: never rely on this site, or any similar site, for up-to-the-minute information on such premium opportunities! Follow @ExploreSpaceKSC on Twitter for the most timely updates on launch viewing opportunities.) Viewing will also be possible from KSCVC’s Apollo/Saturn V Center (also known as the Banana Creek viewing area) and is included with the price of admission, but as the delay means that the launch will be taking place earlier in the day, viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center is now less recommended as the bus ride to that area and the line to get on the bus will take some time, and you may still be on the bus when the rocket launches. (KSCVC also offers viewing from the main visitor complex, but this is not recommended as there is significant obstruction at ground level barring a clear view of lift-off.) Due to the northerly trajectory of Starlink launches, Playalinda Beach should also offer an excellent view of the launch – however, other perspectives such as Jetty Park or the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville will still offer a good view.

Launch Day Road Closures: Kennedy Space Center has issued a road closure advisory for launch day. Please note that:

  • SR-3 will be closed from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to SR-405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way, from 6:30 a.m. until after the launch; access will be limited to authorized personnel.
  • NASA Causeway between U.S. 1 and Gate 3 will also be restricted to authorized personnel until after launch.
  • The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be open; however, once capacity has been reached, no further traffic will be permitted.
  • SR-406 in Titusville, east of the Max Brewer Bridge to Playalinda Beach, will be open to all motor vehicle traffic until capacity is reached or until 9:30 am, whichever comes first.
  • SR-3 North at U.S. 1 in Volusia County, south to Playalinda Beach, will be open to all motor vehicle traffic until capacity is reached or until 9:30 am, whichever comes first.

What this means: YES, you may go to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or Playalinda Beach to view the launch, but you will need to get there early. For KSCVC, this means aiming to arrive at or before opening time at 9:00 am – there will be long lines of cars and delays at the checkpoint, so allow extra time. For Playalinda, I would estimate that you should plan your trip to arrive at the beach no later than 8:00 am, although the gates to the beach area may not open until later than that.

Remember, this is a Saturday morning launch, which means that more people are free of work and school obligations and thus are able to attend – so wherever you’re headed, get there at least one hour earlier than you otherwise would, to secure a parking spot and a good vantage point.

Enjoy!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX, SpaceX, ULA, SpaceX Demo-2…

posted on 11th February, 2020 12:26 pm by

Just a quick outline of what to expect in the coming weeks and months in terms of Space Coast launches… (spoiler: there’s a LOT happening!)

The next one up will be SpaceX Starlink 4, currently set to launch on a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 on February 15th at 10:46 am EST. I’ll have more specific viewing information and advice shortly, but as this launch will include a drone ship landing rather than returning to LZ-1, and due to the northerly trajectories of Starlink launches, my general advice at this time is to strongly consider Playalinda Beach for viewing.

After that, we have SpaceX CRS-20 on the schedule for March 2nd, at 1:45 am EST. CRS launches are commercial resupply missions to the ISS, and thus are usually RTLS (return to landing site) with the boosters landing at LZ-1. For this reason, and because the time of night will limit availability of other options, I recommend favoring a more southern viewing option, like the Route 401 Viewing Stands (note: parking is limited, and they fill up fast!) or Jetty Park or Exploration Tower, if those sites make viewing opportunities available.

The next confirmed launch date after that will be for United Launch Alliance’s AEHF-6 launch of their Atlas V rocket from SLC-41, currently set for March 13th at 3:45 pm EDT. As this is within normal hours of operation for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, viewing may be available from their Banana Creek/Apollo Saturn V Center; in addition, Playalinda Beach should be open and available, and both of these will be good options for viewing.

Other launches noted as TBD (to be determined) for sometime in March are SpaceX’s Starlink 5 and SAOCOM 1B launches, and SpaceX’s GPS 3 SV03 launch in April; there is also a ULA Atlas V launch of AFSPC 7/OTV-6 listed as TBD for May. More news on those as it becomes available.

The big news, however, is that we now have a working date for SpaceX’s Demo-2 launch, which will carry astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil for the first time since the end of the shuttle program. Currently, that working date is May 7th, but the launch date is very much not certain at this point; there is a strong probability that it might be delayed, or might even happen sooner. Still, it is not too soon to begin making preliminary tentative travel plans. Keep an eye on social media, and this site, for further updates as the situation progresses.

These are exciting times for the Space Coast launch community! Head on down for a launch, or several!

Upcoming Launch: Solar Orbiter, Feb 9 2020 (Update #3)

posted on 3rd February, 2020 1:50 pm by

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!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX Starlink 3 Slips to 1/29

posted on 16th January, 2020 12:07 am by

Updated: 27-Jan-2020, 6:41 pm – slippity-doo-dah.

SpaceX is now planning to launch their fourth batch of Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from SLC-40 on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 9:06 am. The launch has slipped from Tuesday due to poor weather in the recovery area.

Viewing Locations: As this is a midday launch, all of the usual places should be available for viewing. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will (as far as we know) be open, with the Apollo/Saturn V Center (Banana Creek) being accessible with the price of daily admission, but due to the time of this launch it will not be possible to get there prior to launch, and so KSCVC is not a recommended viewing location at this time. Due to the northeasterly vector of this launch, Playalinda Beach is recommended for viewing this launch, with the parks along U.S. 1 being a good backup option – Jetty Park and other points south will be less optimal for launch viewing, although still good places to be.

Viewing map for Starlink 3 (Version 2)

If you’re still in town from the IFA launch and have time to kill before Starlink, fear not; there’s still plenty to do! Double down on the space immersion with a visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Sands Space History Center, and/or the American Space Museum & Walk of Fame – tell ’em the Wayward Plane sent you!

Upcoming Launch: SpaceX Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test

posted on 9th January, 2020 3:05 am by

Last Revision: 18-Jan-2020 5:05 am – scrub-a-dub-dub.

The SpaceX In-Flight Abort test for their Crew Dragon capsule is currently scheduled for No Earlier Than (NET) Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8:00 am EST SCRUBBED; new time is Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 8:00 am EST, with a six-hour launch window. For this test flight, SpaceX will launch an uncrewed Crew Dragon capsule atop a reflown Falcon 9 rocket from pad LC-39A, then simulate an unplanned flight termination via rapid scheduled disassembly of the first-stage booster, at which point the capsule’s abort engines are expected to allow it to escape from the explosion to parachute unharmed into the ocean. This is a crucial test for SpaceX’s entry in the Commercial Crew program, and will pave the way for SpaceX to launch crew to the International Space Station.

The weather forecast released today by the 45th Space Wing for the new date shows a 60% go-for-launch probability, deteriorating to 40% at the end of the launch window – so stay tuned to all the usual places for more news as this situation develops.

Viewing locations: Recommendations and availability may change up until the time of launch. Note that as this is a test launch, the actual time of launch could be delayed by some hours, and so comfort should be factored into your viewing plans. As of now, we have no news of changes to any of this information; if needed (or possible), contact your preferred viewing spot directly for any news of changes in availability.

Information below this line has not been updated for the launch scrub.

Recommended:

  • Star*Fleet Tours: Will be offering boat tours for this launch; will be the closest viewing option available. $95 per person, on sale starting Jan. 9th at noon EST SOLD OUT. Note: People with tickets to the Star*Fleet tour should check their Slack or Twitter (@StarFleetTours) for information about the possibility of a Small Craft Advisory for the 18th.
  • Jetty Park: Should be available for viewing. Parking $15/car for non-Brevard county residents. More info here.
  • Exploration Tower: Offering VIP launch viewing, $50 per person. Purchase tickets here.

Also Available:

  • SR-401 Viewing Stands: May or may not be available, depending on whether SpaceX reserves the space. If this is your destination, have an alternate plan in mind. Free.
  • KARS Park: As usual, we have no firm information about this location, other than they seem to be offering viewing for many/most launches at a fee of $5/car. If you have more info, please let us know!
  • Max Brewer Bridge: Pedestrian walkways expected to be available as usual. As per KSC road closure information below, the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 am, but pedestrian access seems to be unaffected. Free.
  • Space View Park, Manzo Park, US 1 @ SR-50: Any of the parks or open space along the Titusville waterfront will offer a view of the launch. Free.
  • Cocoa Beach Pier: The Pier, or any of the beaches northward, will be available for this launch. Parking fees vary, free parking may be available.
  • Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: is not offering premium viewing opportunities, but have stated that they will open at 8 a.m. on launch day, and that viewing will be available from the main visitor complex. Note that the launch will not be visible until the rocket rises above the treeline, and thus this location is less recommended. Cost: regular daily admission or annual pass, see website for specific cost.

Not Recommended/Not Available:

  • Playalinda Beach: The park will be closed until after the launch, due to the possibility of debris and toxic fumes.

Road Closure Information:

As of 15 January, Kennedy Space Center has released road closure information related to the launch, as follows:

  • State Road 3 from Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way, will be closed to the general public at 4 a.m. Access to Kennedy Space Center, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel. The roads will reopen after launch.
  • The A. Max Brewer Bridge on State Road 406 in Titusville, east to Playalinda Beach, will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 a.m.
  • State Road 3 North at US 1 in Volusia County, south to Playalinda Beach, will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 a.m.

Canaveral National Seashore has confirmed that Route 406 will be closed to ALL entry beginning at 3:30 a.m. on January 18th. The southern portion of Mosquito Lagooon via BioLab Road or Max Hoek Road and the Gator Creek Roads will also be inaccessible. Please do not plan to view the launch from any part of this area.

Whichever viewing area you’re headed for, make sure your route is unaffected by these closures, and plan for delays.

Stay tuned for more information as this launch approaches!

Post-Launch Updates: Starliner, SpaceX OCISLY Return

posted on 21st December, 2019 5:03 pm by

After a picture-perfect launch aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket early Friday morning, the Boeing Starliner capsule missed its proper orbital insertion to rendezvous with the International Space Station as planned, and will instead land in White Sands, New Mexico tomorrow morning at 7:57 AM EST. Coverage will be shown live on NASA TV starting at 6:45 AM EST.

Due to what is believed to be a software issue, Boeing’s capsule did not make the planned burn to reach the orbit needed for ISS rendezvous. The problem occurred due to automation and a communication challenge with TDRS, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites; according to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during a press conference yesterday morning, if the capsule had been crewed, the astronauts aboard might have been able to provide data and take action to complete the mission as planned, and in any case, would have been safe. ULA CEO Tory Bruno confirmed during the same press conference that ULA’s Atlas V rocket performed nominally throughout the launch to spacecraft separation. Despite the issues encountered, a great deal of information is being gathered to help ensure that future problems of this sort can be prevented. At this time, it has not been determined whether there will be another uncrewed test mission prior to the first crewed launch of the Starliner capsule.

Meanwhile, the launch itself was viewable along the eastern coast of the United States, resulting in spectacular photos from viewers far north of Florida, as well as the usual stunning work by the recurring cast of Space Coast launch photographers:

And while all the pre-launch prep and post-launch drama was going on elsewhere, SpaceX’s drone ship Of Course I Still Love You sailed serenely into port on Thursday, carrying the landed booster from the successful JCSAT-18/Kacific1 launch on December 16th. By Friday evening, the booster was horizontal and being offloaded from OCISLY.

Don’t forget to tune into NASA TV tomorrow for coverage of the Starliner capsule landing, and stay tuned for more exciting Space Coast rocket launches!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX Starlink 2 Moves to January 6

posted on 21st December, 2019 2:24 pm by

(Updated: 31 Dec 2019, with new NEW launch time.)

The SpaceX Starlink 2 launch, previously scheduled for December 30th and January 3rd, will now launch on January 6, 2020, no earlier than 9:20 PM EST.

SpaceX will be launching a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral bearing the third batch of satellites for their Starlink broadband network. It is expected that this will be a first-stage landing at sea on one of SpaceX’s drone ships, and thus not viewable from land. Viewing Locations: Jetty Park will probably be open; parking for non-Brevard County residents is usually $15 per car. Free locations include Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach beaches, and any of the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville, like Space View Park. Exploration Tower is selling VIP viewing tickets, $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Kennedy Space Center is NOT offering premium viewing at this time, and Playalinda Beach will not be open due to the time of day.

Assuming all goes as planned, the drone ship will return to Port Canaveral bearing the landed booster within a few days; at that time, the drone ship and booster should be briefly viewable from Port Canaveral’s “restaurant row” (for example, Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill) as the booster is being unloaded. Booster returns are a sight not to be missed! Do try to catch this one if you can.

If you need further guidance on any of these, please feel free to reach out via the Contact links – we’re happy to help people on their launch viewing journeys.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Traffic Advisory, 12/20

posted on 18th December, 2019 10:12 am by

Per media advisory from Kennedy Space Center, please note the following road closures for Friday, December 20th, in conjunction with the ULA Starliner launch from SLC 41 in Cape Canaveral:

“Beginning Friday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 a.m., Kennedy Space Center Security Police will be enforcing restricted access from the Kennedy Space Center boundary lines for the duration of the launch attempt. Security police will operate checkpoints at the property lines listed below:

  • State Road 3 from Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way. Access to Kennedy Space Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel and invited launch guests.
  • The A. Max Brewer Memorial Bridge on State Road 406 in Titusville, east of Playalinda Beach. The Playalinda Beach area will be closed to the general public.
  • The Haulover Canal Bridge will be closed at 3:30 a.m. which will restrict access from the Oak Hill area

Please expect delays and plan accordingly.

Launch Day Update: Food Trucks @ Jetty Park Tonight

posted on 16th December, 2019 11:11 am by

As per the Jetty Park Beach & Campground Facebook page: Four food trucks are scheduled to be on site for the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch tonight! Cosmos Ice Cream, Bizzle’s Bistro, Simple Soup N Sammich and The Melting Box will be serving food from 5 pm onward to hungry launch viewers. Tonight’s launch window opens at 7:10 pm, and weather reports are showing 90% favorable conditions for launch. C’mon out to the Space Coast and see what we do best!