Hey there.
As of the date of this post, COVID-19 remains very much a Thing: people are still dying, there is still no vaccine, and the latest reports indicate that people who’ve contracted COVID-19 and recovered are not immune from catching it again.
As of the date of this post, it is also true that the federal government and many state and local governments have pretty much decided that as far as they’re concerned, COVID-19 is not a Thing anymore, and people can do more or less whatever they want.
So restrictions are easing and things are beginning to reopen, and while we here at Launch Rats do NOT condone unnecessary travel and exposure to others during a pandemic, we also recognize that people are going to do what they’re gonna do regardless, and so: here’s the latest updates on what’s closed and what’s open and where to go, et cetera.
Playalinda Beach: is now open for its regular summer hours, 6 am to 8 pm daily. Playalinda is a great option for viewing launches from LC-39A and SLC-41; it’s also a lovely beach. $20 per car will cover parking for 7 days.
Kennedy Space Center: is currently open 10 am to 4 pm daily, main complex only (masks required) – no buses running, so no Apollo/Saturn V center and no premium launch viewing there or at the LC-39 Gantry. They seem to be experimenting with offering launch viewing from the main complex, but note that visibility of the actual liftoff is blocked by the treeline. Still (always!) very much worth a visit. Check their website at kennedyspacecenter.com for ticket options and further updates.
Jetty Park: is currently open from 7 am to 8 pm daily at 50% capacity to annual passholders and those who buy daily passes online in advance. The campground is open on a limited basis to RVs only. Jetty Park is absolutely the best place to be for the SpaceX launches with booster returns at LZ-1. Buy day passes or get further information at their website, portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Campground.
Exploration Tower: is currently open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, ground floor gift shop and 7th floor observation deck only (masks required) but has not been offering launch viewing recently. At this time, they are not charging admission fees. More information is available at their website at explorationtower.com.
SR-401 in Port Canaveral: At last report, the viewing stands here were still closed to the public due to COVID restrictions.
KARS Park, Merritt Island: We have absolutely no information on whether this location has been open and allowing launch viewing; if you know anything, please drop us a line.
Max Brewer Bridge & the parks and open areas along US-1 in Titusville: remain open and available for launch viewing at all times, although various parks may lock their parking lots from dusk to dawn – if you see a gate on a parking lot you’re planning to remain in during those hours, be warned! you might be there til morning.
New Addition! The Hyatt Place Titusville/Kennedy Space Center is newly-opened, and according to friends who’ve stayed there, is nicely situated for launch viewing – even featuring rooms with launch views! For those visitors who want to stay isolated while launch viewing, or for whom mobility or Florida’s excessive heat are a concern, this could be an excellent solution. We’ll have a better write-up on this hotel in the near future, but in the meantime, do have a look at their website at www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-place-titusville-kennedy-space-center/.
We’ll add more information as it becomes available.
Meanwhile, we’re using this enforced down-time to make some changes to Launch Rats, both behind the scenes and on the site. We’ll be moving to a new logo soon, and doing some stuff to make this site more useful. We’ve also got a new merch store! still being built, but nevertheless currently live and offering t-shirts and other things for sale. Launch Rats accepts no advertising and generates no income (while still costing money to keep the site up and running) so every little bit helps! Check out the new store and see if there’s anything you might want to buy, at the temporary URL of shop.spreadshirt.com/launchrats.
That’s it for now! We’ll keep you posted on any changes. Stay safe!