Launch Rats

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has just announced launch viewing availability for SpaceX’s CRS-19 launch on a Falcon 9, set for no earlier than Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 at 12:51 pm EST. LC-39 Gantry tickets are available for $49 per person in addition to KSCVC daily admission, and will provide the closest possible view of the launch. Viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center will be included with daily admission, and will offer the second-closest view of launch. More information available here: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/2019/december/rocket-launch-spacex-falcon-9-crs-19

As SpaceX CRS missions to the International Space Station are generally RTLS missions, featuring boosters landing at LZ-1 in Cape Canaveral, some may prefer to seek this vantage point. For those, Jetty Park is the preferred viewing location. (Exploration Tower and SR-401 may or may not be available, depending on whether SpaceX has reserved the space for their own use.)

Hope to see you at the launch!

Is the long launch drought over? Looks like it might be!

Currently on the Space Coast launch schedule (per spaceflightnow.com) is SpaceX’s Starlink 1 launch, slated for Monday, November 11th at approximately 10 AM EST, launching from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral AFS. Good viewing spots for that pad include KSCVC’s Apollo/Saturn V Center (if available), the Max Brewer Bridge, and any of the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville. For the best view of landing (if there is a landing?) you’ll want to try Jetty Park or perhaps SR-401 – though the latter is iffy, nowadays; parking is far more restricted, and the area is often reserved for SpaceX use. Spaceflight Now is also showing a prospective launch for Starlink 2, also from SLC-40, as “TBD” for the month of November. Stay tuned for more details on that.

December is shaping up to be potentially much busier, with SpaceX’s CRS-19 cargo mission to the ISS currently slated for Wednesday, December 4th at 12:48 pm EST, and SpaceX’s JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 listed for Sunday, December 15th at 7:10 pm EST. Also on the schedule is ULA/Boeing’s CST-100 Orbital Flight Test on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:45 am, in which a ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on an unpiloted test flight to the ISS. Also listed as “TBD” possibilities are SpaceX Starlink 3 and 4 launches, and – this is a very big deal! – SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Demo 2, which (when it happens) will be the first crewed launch from American soil since Shuttle days. Note that all launches are subject to change, and the CST-100 and Crew Dragon launches particularly so… don’t make travel plans just yet!

Stay tuned to this site and all the usual information outlets for further news on any/all of these, and check out Launch Rat Jared-Base’s Beginners Guide to SpaceX site at spacex-guide.weebly.com for more info on those SpaceX launches!

As of 6th August, 2019, upcoming launches scheduled from the Space Coast are as follows:

August 6, 6:50 pm EDT: SpaceX Amos 17, launching on a Falcon 9 from SLC-40, CCAFS – Kennedy Space Center is offering premium launch viewing opportunities at the Banana Creek Viewing area; more info here. LC-39 Gantry is now SOLD OUT. Other launch viewing locations include Playalinda Beach, Jetty Park in Port Canaveral, and any of the many coastal parks along US-1 in Titusville.

August 8, 5:50 am EDT: ULA AEHF 5, launching on an Atlas V 551 from SLC-41, CCAFS (launch window closes at 7:50 am) – Kennedy Space Center has converted all Gantry viewing to Banana Creek and is offering partial refunds if you still want to go, full refunds if you no longer can. Check with them for more info. VIP launch viewing tickets are currently available for Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral, and can be purchased here. Jetty Park will be open for launch viewing; Playalinda will not. The coastal parks along US-1 in Titusville remain a solid choice.

August 22, time TBD: ULA GPS 3, launching on a Delta IV Medium+ from SLC-37B, CCAFS – As the time of this launch is not yet known, no premium or other launch viewing information is available at this time; when in doubt, head for US-1 in Titusville.

At this time, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean that may present weather problems for Florida in the coming days. This may affect launch scheduling (among many other things). If you are planning a trip for the Amos 17 or AEHF-5 launches, keep a close eye on weather forecasts and all the usual launch news outlets for further updates.

As always, we wish you the best of luck in your launch viewing journey!

(Last edited: 6th August, 4:52 pm.)

Static fire for the ARABSAT6A mission was successfully completed on 5th April. Per the Titusville, FL Police Department, SpaceX is now targeting Wednesday, 10th April 2019 for this launch. Chance of weather violation (which would prevent launch) is currently 20% for Wednesday.

If you have Feel The Heat or other premium launch tickets, contact Kennedy Space Center for details and updates on scheduling for those; keep an eye on social media and relevant sources (ChrisG et al.) for cutting-edge news on what happens next.

(Last updated: 8th April 2019, 12:02 pm EDT)

Parking and road closure advisories are beginning to be issued for this Sunday’s Falcon Heavy launch. Major takeaway information is:

• SR-401 will be entirely unavailable. If you are planning to head to Route 401, you need to make other plans. (CONFIRMED: no part of SR-401 will be available for launch viewing.)
• No parking on the SR-528 median anywhere.
• The Max Brewer Bridge to Playalinda Beach will be closed entirely at some point during the day. Playalinda itself will close when capacity is reached. If you are heading there, get there early in the morning.
• Kennedy Space Center will be closed to anyone who does not have PREMIUM launch viewing tickets. Regular tickets and annual passes will not be honored. The road to KSCVC and the causeway will be closed.
• Exploration Tower and its parking lots will be closed for a private event.
• Port Canaveral parking will cost $15.00, CASH ONLY. In fact, assume you’re going to need cash for parking wherever you go.

Current LaunchRats viewing recommendations based on this information: Jetty Park, U.S. 1 in Titusville, or the beaches at Cocoa Beach.

The full text of the advisories is posted below, along with maps on the PortCanaveral.com page.

Stay tuned to this space, and to your favorite launch-related social media, for further updates!

Traffic/Parking Advisories:

Parking Advisory from PortCanaveral.com

Roads Advisory from FloridaToday.com

Useful Social Media Accounts:

Titusville Police Department (Twitter)
PortCanaveral.com (Twitter)
Florida Today (Twitter)
45th Space Wing (Twitter)
Chris G./NASAspaceflight.com (Twitter) – for updates on the launch itself
WaywardPlane (Twitter) – the author of this post

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is now offering launch viewing for the upcoming ULA WGS-10 launch on a Delta IV rocket on March 15th! Launch viewing opportunities for WGS-10 are available at the following locations from the visitor complex:

• SOLD OUT LC-39 Observation Gantry, approximately 5.5 miles/8.9 kilometers from launch pad – $49 in addition to daily admission.
• Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area, adjacent to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, approximately 8 miles/12.8 kilometers from launch pad – $20 in addition to daily admission.
• Main visitor complex, approximately 7 miles/11.3 kilometers from launch pad – included with daily admission.

These tickets go FAST, so get yours now!