posted on 2nd February, 2021 5:10 pm by WaywardPlane
Two of ’em, in fact. Which are, right now, both scheduled for Thursday, February 4th: one from SLC-40 at 1:19 am local time (GMT-5) and one from LC-39A at 5:36 am.
I mean, okay, first of all, that is almost definitely NOT going to happen, one or the other of these launches is going to move. But also, both of those times can only get earlier, and that means that neither launch will be viewable from Playalinda Beach, which is favored for Starlink LC-39A launches. Alternatives include Parrish Park, the Max Brewer Bridge, anywhere along US-1 in Titusville, the beaches of Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, y’know, the usual suspects…
…but also, it’s been cold lately. Like, not just Florida cold, but COLD, and any launch viewing area is going to be by the water and thus even colder… For that reason, our recommendation for this launch is, wherever you’re going to view it from, prioritize a place where you can stay cozy in your car (so, not the Max Brewer Bridge) and honestly, if you’re not local, come see a different launch, ‘cuz neither of these is going to be comfortable.
Keep an eye on Space Twitter for the most timely updates on launch schedules; we’ll add more info here as we can.
posted on 16th January, 2021 6:19 pm by WaywardPlane
Yes, I’m lazy. Yes, I’m gonna keep editing this post for as long as I can keep reusing the same two basic paragraphs. 😉
The last Starlink launch went up as planned (yay!) but now we’re hearing that Wednesday, January 27th, is another SpaceX Starlink launching from LC-39A. Hazard maps have safety zones active from 7:33 am to 8:54 am, so… somewhere in that range? Still waiting on more definite info, but for this launch, the best viewing location is still Playalinda Beach, due to its proximity to the pad. Get there early, bring water and bug spray and probably warm clothes; it’s been Florida-chilly lately.
SpaceX Transporter 1 launched like a bazillion cubesats from SLC-40 this morning, and now we’re waiting for JRTI to come back to port with the 8x flown booster – amusingly, it was held up by the hazard zones for the Transporter launch. Sources say it’ll be this afternoon or evening.
As always, keep an eye on social media in case of launch delays, and to get info on returning drone ships after the launch. Cheers!
posted on 18th November, 2020 2:18 pm by WaywardPlane
Yeah, yeah, Crew-1 is awesome, but here on the Space Coast it’s always all about the next launch – which will be this Saturday, November 21, at 10:17 p.m. Nope! Sunday, November 22, at 9:56 p.m. local time (GMT-5), when SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites (designated V1.0-L15) aboard a Falcon 9 from pad SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral AFS.
Before that, however, we expect to see the SpaceX ship Just Read The Instructions (JRTI) arriving at Port Canaveral with the recovered first stage from the Crew-1 launch (B1061.1) some time tomorrow (Thursday, November 19)…
posted on 9th March, 2020 12:45 pm by WaywardPlane
Updated 17 Mar 2020 – closure information.
The next two launches coming up on the Space Coast will be SpaceX’s Starlink 5 launch, currently set for Wednesday, March 18th at 8:16 am EDT, and United Launch Alliance’s AEHF-6 launch on Thursday, March 26th at 2:57 pm EDT with a 2-hour launch window.
Please note that due to current Coronavirus concerns, public gathering is NOT RECOMMENDED. We recommend you stay home – or in your hotel room – rather than mingle with others to watch this launch or any other event.
SpaceX Starlink 5 will be launching on a Falcon 9 rocket from pad LC-39A, with an expected landing on their drone ship Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY); the drone ship landing will not be visible from shore. For this launch, Playalinda Beach should provide an excellent view – arrive early and bring water, sunscreen and possibly toilet paper, as facilities there are primitive – $20 per car to park gives you in/out privileges for 7 days. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will not be offering launch viewing, as they will be closed as of Monday, March 16th. Jetty Park and Observation Tower remain closed until further notice.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Road closure information has been released for the Starlink launch: roads to Playalinda Beach (SR-406 from the west, SR-3N from the north) will be closed at 8:25 am on launch day, or whenever Playalinda parking reaches max capacity. Roads in and around Kennedy Space Center, including SR-405, SR-3, Space Commerce Way and the NASA Causeway, will be closed to the general public at 5:30 am. TL;dr – wherever you’re headed, get there early.
ULA AEHF-6 will be launching on on an Atlas V from SLC-41, another northern launch pad. Playalinda Beach will provide a good view – as stated above, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Jetty Park and Exploration Tower remain closed until further notice.
Remember: Rocket launches often slip to later dates, and can scrub and require rescheduling at any time up to the moment of launch! In the days leading up to these (or any) launches, keep an eye on Space Twitter or other social media for any updates to the launch schedule. There are many potential sources of timely information, but if you can only keep track of one source, Chris G. of NASASpaceflight.com is an excellent choice.
As always, if you have additional questions or need more specific information on any viewing locations, please feel free to reach out to Wayward Plane via the links in the sidebar! I’m happy to help, and generally respond to inquiries within two hours or less of receipt.
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.
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 EDTSaturday, 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!
posted on 13th February, 2020 11:01 am by WaywardPlane
(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.
posted on 16th January, 2020 12:07 am by WaywardPlane
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.
posted on 21st December, 2019 2:24 pm by WaywardPlane
(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.
posted on 12th December, 2019 9:52 pm by WaywardPlane
UPDATED: 16 December 19, 11:26 AM, with Jetty Park Viewing Info
Looks like it’s going to be a busy month on the Space Coast!
Monday, December 16th, 7:10 pm EST: SpaceX will be launching a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral bearing the JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 communications satellite. The launch window will be open for a little less than an hour and a half, closing at 8:38 pm. Landing is planned to take place on the SpaceX drone ship Of Course I Still Love You, and therefore is not expected to be viewable from land. Viewing Locations: Exploration Tower is offering VIP launch viewing for $30 per person. Jetty Park will be open, and have 4 food trucks on site for visitors’ convenience; parking for non-Brevard County residents is usually $15 per car. Free locations include SR 528/A1A and any of the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville, like Space View Park. Playalinda Beach will not be open due to the time of day. UPDATE! Kennedy Space Center has just opened up premium viewing for this launch at their Apollo/Saturn V Center! This will be the closest available viewing, and will cost $20 per person on top of regular daily admission (or annual pass). Get your tickets before they sell out, at the KSCVC website. (Thanks, Gordy L., for the heads up!)
Friday, December 20th, 6:36 am EST: ULA will be launching Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule on its Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Center, the penultimate uncrewed test flight before ULA/Boeing begin carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. This launch will be on an Atlas 5 rocket, launching from SLC-41 in Cape Canaveral. Due to the pre-dawn timing of this launch, there is a very high chance of the noctilucent effect, leading to some amazing launch viewing! As with all ISS launches, this one has an instantaneous launch window, so it will either launch on time or not at all. Viewing Locations: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering their Feel The Heat viewing package at the Apollo/Saturn V Center for $195 per person; this is the closest available viewing for this launch. (The Feel The Fun package, at the Atlantis North Lawn, will have launch viewing obstructed by the treeline, and is less recommended for that reason.) Exploration Tower has stated that they will be offering VIP launch tickets, but no information is available yet. Jetty Park will be open starting at 5 am; parking for non-Brevard County residents is usually $15 per car. Free locations include SR 528/A1A and any of the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville, like Space View Park. Playalinda Beach will not be open due to the time of day.
Monday, December 30th, 11:40 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 also 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 SR 528/A1A and any of the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville, like Space View Park. Kennedy Space Center is NOT offering premium viewing, Playalinda Beach will not be open due to the time of day, and Exploration Tower has not stated whether they will be offering VIP viewing packages at this time.
For the two SpaceX launches, assuming all goes as planned, the drone ships will return to Port Canaveral bearing the landed boosters within a few days; at that time, the drone ships and boosters 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 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.
