Launch Rats

Howdy. This is your Wayward Plane speaking.

I’m getting A LOT of last-minute inquiries about the Parker Solar Probe launch, and since I expect to be largely unavailable to answer inquiries over the next two days (I’m attending the NASA Social!) here’s the most recent information of which I’m aware:

Parker Solar Probe will be launching on a ULA Delta IV Heavy from SLC-37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch window opens on Saturday, August 11, 2018 3:33 AM EDT (local time) and will remain open for 65 minutes. Weather reports say that we are currently 70% go for launch. If the launch fails to happen at that time, the backup dates are Sunday, August 12 at 3:31 AM, and Monday, August 13 at 3:29 AM.

My best advice for launch viewing is the SR-401 Viewing Stands in Port Canaveral. Drive east on SR-401 toward the CCAFS gates; before you reach the gates, you will encounter uniformed officers who will direct you to parking. Plan on arriving at least a couple of hours early. Exploration Tower VIP Launch Viewing is also on sale is now SOLD OUT. SR-401 should provide you with an excellent view of the launch.

If you can’t make it to either of these places, any location in or around the Space Coast with a clear-ish view toward Cape Canaveral Air Force Station should allow you to view the launch as it ascends. Stay safe, obey any & all local law enforcement, and enjoy the show!

May your journey be nominal and your mission successful,

Wayward

*** 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.

(Thanks to @AmericaSpace for the launch window info!)

Rule #1: Everything Slips.

UPDATE: #SpaceX Merah Putih (Telkom-4) launch from CCAFS rescheduled to Tuesday, 8/7. Similar window, so launch hazard area in effect from 2315 ET 8/6 to 0345 ET 8/7 (0315 to 0745 UTC). #Falcon9 will attempt ASDS landing. pic.twitter.com/pZqiofspiG

— Emre Kelly (@EmreKelly) July 31, 2018

The launch of the Merah Putih satellite atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 has now slipped to Saturday, August 4th, 2018, at 1:19 AM.

‘Tis a day for launch slips, it seems…

The launch of the Parker Solar Probe atop a ULA Delta IV Heavy has now slipped to Saturday, August 11th, 2018, with the launch window opening at 3:48 am. Full details here.

We received an inquiry at LaunchRats that said:

I will be in Hilton Head, South Carolina Aug 6th… will I be able to see the Parker Solar Probe launch… even a little? If not, how far down the coast would I have to go to be able to see it?

And we have an answer! 

Glad you asked! I’m a South Carolina native myself, Greenville born and raised, and I often vacation in Charleston and Hilton Head. If you mean to say you’ll be staying on the island itself, you should see something. It’s 4 am, headed east, and you’ll just have to look generally south to see it; a Charleston friend I know said they could see a previous launch from the Isle of Palms. Granted, a lot of this depends on the trajectory it takes, so I can’t be absolutely positive. For some launches, NASA will publish viewing/visibility guides, but I haven’t seen one for Parker Solar Probe yet.

If you’re staying in a resort and they have southeast-facing coast like Palmetto Dunes, you should be fine, depending on their open hours. If not, there’s Coligny Beach Park, though it suffers from the same issue of unknown operating hours.

Of course, driving down is always going to give you the best results, but it’s roughly four hours’ drive to the Space Coast. The exit to HHI is basically the halfway point from where I start in Greenville. Not exactly a slog you’d wanna take just for the launch; maybe look into the price of Kennedy Space Center admission with your dealfinder of choice and make a day trip out of it, as there’s plenty to do at the Space Coast, and you’ll ideally be settled for the day after the launch goes up (or doesn’t) at 4 am. Maybe even bring your beachwear and scope out Cocoa Beach, see if it’s your kind of place for future beach travel. It’s nowhere near as private as Hilton Head, but it’s still fairly sleepy, with great sun and surf.

If you choose to stay put, you may want to have NASA TV open on your phone, and a pair of binoculars. Also, Hilton Head has a nice little museum, buried in the mess of overpasses at the entrance to the island. Maybe check that out after, as it’s got some space hardware in it!

– Lupi

A piece of an Atlas V fairing from the 2010 launch of an X-37B, located in the Hilton Head Museum in South Carolina. Photo courtesy of Lupi.

Update #1: As stated by NASA, the Parker Solar Probe launch is now NET August 6th, slipping two days due to a situation encountered during encapsulation of the probe. A new launch time will be announced shortly, but it will be roughly the same time, somewhere around 4:30 am. Keep an eye on the usual sources for more details and updates. NASA Social attendees, please note that your schedule has been impacted by this change; you should have gotten an email with information about this change already.

Update #2: Our team member John Eric has noticed that Exploration Tower seems to be selling VIP Launch Tickets to view the Parker Solar Probe launch on-site. Tickets are available through their website at explorationtower.com, but as of this moment the tickets still show the launch date as August 4th; it’s advised that you should wait until they’ve updated their information before making your purchase.

Stay tuned for more info and updates!