Star-Fleet Tours offers launch viewing boat tours, and pre-launch guided history boat tours of the spaceport! For more information, check out their website at www.star-fleet.tours.
Category: Merritt Island/KSC
South of (and housing) Kennedy Space Center, west of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, this island is located between the mainland and the barrier island.
KSCVC North Lawn
★ www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/see-a-rocket-launch
★ SR 405
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
★ SR 405
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 8554334210
This is the “Visitor Complex” viewing included with your main admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The actual moments of ignition and liftoff will be obscured by trees, but the launch will be visible once the rocket clears the treeline. Landings at LZ-1 and LZ-2 are not visible from here.
NASA LC-39B
NASA will be launching their SLS from here.
SpaceX LC-39A
SpaceX launches their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets from here.
United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
★ www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/heroes-and-legends/us-astronaut-hall-of-fame
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 (855) 433-4210
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 (855) 433-4210
Listed separately for clarity – Google Maps still shows this in Titusville, but it is now located inside Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and is included with your admission.
Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
Listed separately for mapping purposes, the VAB is part of Kennedy Space Center. It is the largest single-story building anywhere, and dominates the eastern horizon when viewed from the mainland. Not publicly accessible, but KSC bus tours will offer a drive-by, or a quick stop outside.
Kennedy Space Center Apollo/Saturn V Center
★ www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/race-to-the-moon
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 (855) 433-4210
★ Kennedy Space Center FL 32899
★ +1 (855) 433-4210
Listed separately for mapping purposes, the Apollo Saturn V center is part of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and is included with admission. Here is where you’ll see the Saturn V rocket. Launch viewing is also sometimes offered from this location; check website for specific launch details.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
If you are a launch rat on the Space Coast, this is THE place to go. All the history, all the rockets, the Atlantis space shuttle, bus tours, IMAX movies, rocket launch viewing; space nerd paradise. Don’t bother with the multi-day ticket; buy a season pass, it will pay for itself by day 2, and you will want more days here than that. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by just about every launch rat ever.
KARS Park
★ nasaexchange.ksc.nasa.gov/KARSParkInformation/AboutKARS
★ Merritt Island FL 32953
★ +1 (321) 867-3891
★ Merritt Island FL 32953
★ +1 (321) 867-3891
To the best of our ability to tell, KARS Park and its surroundings are restricted to NASA/KSC staff and guests ONLY. We therefore do not recommend non-credentialed people using this as a potential viewing location.
Playalinda Beach
Intelsat 35e launching on 5th July 2017 from LC-39A on a Falcon 9, as seen from Playalinda Beach. Photo by Lupi (original)
Spectacular spot for launch viewing; however, due to distance from the launch pads, often subject to closure. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan. Parking $20; restrooms available (“basically brick-and-mortar porta-potties,” per Lupi). Elevated boardwalks are accessible via ramps; beaches themselves are not. Always bring water and bug spray!