Launch Rats

Carol R. writes:

“I’m trying to find the best place to watch a rocket launch on July 31st 37B and was wondering if you could tell me some places to look into?”

It’s easy to figure out where you want to view a launch from, when that launch occurs during regular daylight hours: Kennedy Space Center often offers excellent viewing options, and the parks along U.S. 1 are always a safe bet. But what do you do when the rocket is launching in the late night or early morning hours, when Kennedy Space Center and many parks are closed?

This is a dilemma many of us face, especially during the course of the next few anticipated launches: SpaceX‘s CRS-15 launch to the ISS is currently slated to go up at 5:41 am on June 29th, and ULA‘s Parker Solar Probe launch is currently scheduled for August 4th at 3:57 am. Where, exactly, does one go at this time of day (night) to watch the rocket launch?

Because Brevard County parks are listed as being open to the public from dawn until dusk only, and in fact the parking areas for many of the U.S. 1 parks are gated at night, this limits many options ordinarily available. At this point, I don’t yet know what’s technically allowed after hours. We’re currently researching this, and hope to have a complete and official list of Do’s and Don’ts available here in the near future.

In the meantime, note that Exploration Tower is – rather unexpectedly! – offering VIP Launch Viewing for the upcoming CRS-15 launch, and will be opening at 5 am on June 29th to accommodate ticket holders only. For tickets and more information, click here.

Hope to see you soon at an upcoming Launch Day!

It took two and a half hours for the LC-39 viewing for the TESS launch on April 16th to sell out. Tickets for Apollo/Saturn V Center remain available.

Welcome to the post-Falcon Heavy world.

Update: LC-39 Observation Gantry tickets are sold out. Apollo/Saturn V Center tickets are still available. https://t.co/eaABZaYLpT

— Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (@ExploreSpaceKSC) April 5, 2018

Rocket Garden at KSCVC. Photo by Wayward.

If you’re planning to view a launch from Kennedy Space Center, this is a must-read!

www.kennedyspacecenter.com/blog/05/prepare-for-a-launch-day

As reported by FloridaToday.com, Milliken’s Reef has closed its doors for good.

The restaurant – a popular fixture in Port Canaveral since 2008 – was a popular venue for local and visiting space enthusiasts. Its location across the water from OCISLY’s dock (Of Course I Still Love You, SpaceX’s East Coast booster landing and retrieval barge) made it a spot often frequented by Falcon hunters and barge spotters.

There are rumors that a new restaurant will be opening in that location shortly; nevertheless, Milliken’s will be greatly missed.

CRS-14 Launch from ITL Causeway, by Hunter

On April 2, 2018, SpaceX successfully launched a Dragon capsule to the ISS on their Falcon 9 rocket. Unexpectedly, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was a complete sell-out, filling not only their premium viewing at the LC-39 Observation Gantry, but also filling the Apollo/Saturn V Center and their North Lawn viewing areas to capacity many hours before launch.

A few of us Launch Rats had the privilege of viewing the launch from the ITL Causeway within Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and have pictures and videos to share! Expect a more complete update shortly, as well as more information on alternate launch viewing locations (as always). For now, here’s a few tidbits to enjoy:

Hunter’s Photos (flickr.com)
Wayward’s Video (twitter.com)

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!