Launch news and updates from the Space Coast.
Yo. Folks. Let’s talk about Starlink at Playalinda.
Y’know how it is when you watch a movie, or a launch webcast, and everything’s so BIG, and so CLOSE, and it’s RIGHT THERE IN YOUR FACE… And then you go watch a launch in person, and you’re miles away, and it’s still amazing, but… you want it to be bigger, brighter, more?
Okay, so. Yeah. Starlink at Playalinda.
Brace yourselves – Crew-1 is coming! No, not on Halloween as originally announced – the launch is now set for Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 7:49 pm EST – but already, preparations are being made to cheer on the astronauts of Crew-1 as they head to the ISS.
THE BIG NEWS: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, working in cooperation with Gray Line Orlando, are offering transportation and launch viewing for the Crew-1 launch at the Apollo/Saturn V Center! Unavailable to visitors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Apollo/Saturn V Center will be the closest available viewing location for this launch, so you won’t want to miss out on this one! This premium viewing package will be available at a cost of $229 per person; more details are available at the link below.
Purchase tickets at the Gray Line Orlando site (click here!)
(Tickets are STILL AVAILABLE, get ’em while they last!)
After a temperature check, guests will board Gray Line buses from one of four locations in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista or Merritt Island, and be taken to Kennedy Space Center, where they will go through security and have a little time to explore the main complex before reboarding Gray Line buses to go to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. At the conclusion of the day, the buses will return directly to their departure locations.
This viewing package is an excellent opportunity for those who can’t easily make the drive out to the Space Coast, as well as, y’know, anyone who wants to see the launch from the best possible spot. We’ll have more info as it becomes available!
In addition to the Gray Line excursion above, KSCVC is also offering viewing at the main visitor complex’s Atlantis South lot (the Feel The Fun package, from the Atlantis north lawn, is already sold out). This location is 7.5 miles from the launch pad, and viewing of the launch will be obstructed at ground level by the treeline – but the atmosphere provided by Kennedy Space Center provides a fitting backdrop to such a momentous occasion. Those tickets are available at the Kennedy Space Center website (click here).
Be sure, in either case, to review the launch scrub policy carefully prior to purchase, and pay attention to the COVID-19 precautions in effect: masks will be required at these viewing sites, and temperature checks will be performed prior to entry.
We’ll have more information on other viewing locations and opportunities as the Crew-1 launch approaches, so be sure to check back soon. You can follow us on Twitter @LaunchRats to receive updates every time we post!
Hey there.
As of the date of this post, COVID-19 remains very much a Thing: people are still dying, there is still no vaccine, and the latest reports indicate that people who’ve contracted COVID-19 and recovered are not immune from catching it again.
As of the date of this post, it is also true that the federal government and many state and local governments have pretty much decided that as far as they’re concerned, COVID-19 is not a Thing anymore, and people can do more or less whatever they want.
So restrictions are easing and things are beginning to reopen, and while we here at Launch Rats do NOT condone unnecessary travel and exposure to others during a pandemic, we also recognize that people are going to do what they’re gonna do regardless, and so: here’s the latest updates on what’s closed and what’s open and where to go, et cetera.
Playalinda Beach: is now open for its regular summer hours, 6 am to 8 pm daily. Playalinda is a great option for viewing launches from LC-39A and SLC-41; it’s also a lovely beach. $20 per car will cover parking for 7 days.
Kennedy Space Center: is currently open 10 am to 4 pm daily, main complex only (masks required) – no buses running, so no Apollo/Saturn V center and no premium launch viewing there or at the LC-39 Gantry. They seem to be experimenting with offering launch viewing from the main complex, but note that visibility of the actual liftoff is blocked by the treeline. Still (always!) very much worth a visit. Check their website at kennedyspacecenter.com for ticket options and further updates.
Jetty Park: is currently open from 7 am to 8 pm daily at 50% capacity to annual passholders and those who buy daily passes online in advance. The campground is open on a limited basis to RVs only. Jetty Park is absolutely the best place to be for the SpaceX launches with booster returns at LZ-1. Buy day passes or get further information at their website, portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Campground.
Exploration Tower: is currently open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, ground floor gift shop and 7th floor observation deck only (masks required) but has not been offering launch viewing recently. At this time, they are not charging admission fees. More information is available at their website at explorationtower.com.
SR-401 in Port Canaveral: At last report, the viewing stands here were still closed to the public due to COVID restrictions.
KARS Park, Merritt Island: We have absolutely no information on whether this location has been open and allowing launch viewing; if you know anything, please drop us a line.
Max Brewer Bridge & the parks and open areas along US-1 in Titusville: remain open and available for launch viewing at all times, although various parks may lock their parking lots from dusk to dawn – if you see a gate on a parking lot you’re planning to remain in during those hours, be warned! you might be there til morning.
New Addition! The Hyatt Place Titusville/Kennedy Space Center is newly-opened, and according to friends who’ve stayed there, is nicely situated for launch viewing – even featuring rooms with launch views! For those visitors who want to stay isolated while launch viewing, or for whom mobility or Florida’s excessive heat are a concern, this could be an excellent solution. We’ll have a better write-up on this hotel in the near future, but in the meantime, do have a look at their website at www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-place-titusville-kennedy-space-center/.
We’ll add more information as it becomes available.
Meanwhile, we’re using this enforced down-time to make some changes to Launch Rats, both behind the scenes and on the site. We’ll be moving to a new logo soon, and doing some stuff to make this site more useful. We’ve also got a new merch store! still being built, but nevertheless currently live and offering t-shirts and other things for sale. Launch Rats accepts no advertising and generates no income (while still costing money to keep the site up and running) so every little bit helps! Check out the new store and see if there’s anything you might want to buy, at the temporary URL of shop.spreadshirt.com/launchrats.
That’s it for now! We’ll keep you posted on any changes. Stay safe!
Last updated: 16th May 2020, with virtual viewing information.
Dear Friends,
As of today – May 4th, 2020 – there is no cure for COVID-19, no vaccine; we are not even certain whether catching and recovering from it confers even temporary immunity from catching it again.
As of today, we are in the same situation, as regards this pandemic, as we were on March 12th, when I first advised you to postpone your launch trips until a safer time and STAY HOME.
DM-2, the first crewed launch from American soil since the days of the space shuttle, is currently scheduled for May 27th – and everyone wants to go see it. I know I do. But the fact that this is a historic launch does not change the fact that the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 in crowds is as great as it ever was.
The best viewing locations remain closed and inaccessible. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex remains closed (as do the other Florida theme parks in the area). Jetty Park and Exploration Tower are still closed. Playalinda Beach, part of the Federal National Parks system, is still closed. The viewing stands at SR-401, to the best of my knowledge, will be unavailable. Most beachside parking in Cocoa Beach remains closed. What this means, in a nutshell, is that the areas that remain open to the public for launch viewing will be even more crowded, with locals and visitors who choose not to heed common-sense cautions. Social distancing will not be possible. Statistically, some (if not many) of the people at these sites will be carriers of COVID-19, and the disease will spread. It may well spread to you.
What you need to ask yourself, at this point in time, is: Do I want to risk my life, and the lives of my loved ones, to watch a rocket launch that will be webcast with much better vantage points over the Internet?
The best answer to this question, my friends, is no. It is not the most emotionally appealing answer… but it is by far the most sensible.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has gone on record as encouraging people to come to Brevard County to watch this launch. And why shouldn’t he? By the time people start getting sick from their launch viewing trips, they will be back in their home cities and towns, and their illnesses will not be Florida’s problem. Florida, as a state, is largely fueled by tourist dollars, and so there is a concern that by urging people to stay away, our economy will be (is being) negatively impacted. This is not an invalid concern.
But in my opinion – in most people’s opinions – the risk presented by COVID-19 is a far more important concern to consider.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell have both urged people to stay home and watch the webcasts – and the coverage on NASA Live will no doubt be extensive and thorough. These are the voices you should be listening to, as you consider the possibility of making a launch viewing trip: the voices of caution, of reason. These are the voices that want you to stay safe.
And mine is another. Much as I think everyone should watch at least one rocket launch, much as I enjoy helping people find the best viewing location, much as I miss being able to provide that service… I cannot, in good conscience, do so now.
Enjoy DM-2 over the Internet. Stay safe. Stay home.
–Wayward
ETA: NASA is running a virtual NASA Social via Facebook; to join, click here.
In addition to NASA and SpaceX’s webcast coverage, NASASpaceFlight.com will have their own coverage, featuring unique perspectives from Kennedy Space Center and elsewhere. Their YouTube channel can be found here.
On Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 2:57 pm EDT, United Launch Alliance will be launching the AEHF-6 payload aboard their Atlas V Rocket from SLC-41 in Cape Canaveral. Currently, the weather forecast from the 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron predicts an 80% chance of favorable weather.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, we recommend that you watch this launch via webcast, at youtube.com/watch?v=YBkB1BbblN0. We will have the Keep an eye on ULA’s Twitter account for further updates about the webcast and the launch!
Last Updated: 25th March 2020
Dear Friends,
As of the evening of March 12th, 2020, both Disney World and Universal Orlando have announced plans to close for the rest of the month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been closed as of Monday, March 16th. Jetty Park, Exploration Tower and Playalinda Beach are closed until further notice. All beachside public parking in Brevard County is closed as of Thursday, March 19th.
The first known case of COVID-19 in Brevard County was identified on March 16th, which makes it even more imperative that all of us take suitable precautions to help avoid transmission of this virus to others. The best way to do that is to avoid large gatherings of people… even for the most exceptional events.
My fervent and heartfelt suggestion to all prospective launch viewers, at this time, is therefore: STAY HOME. Save that special trip for a better time. There will be other launches. Be prudent. Be safe.
We will continue to post upcoming launches and webcast viewing information in as timely a manner as possible.
– Wayward
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.
Best of luck on your launch viewing journey!
(Updated: 3-Mar-2020, Gantry sellout & Starlink slip)
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.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has just announced that they WILL be offering premium viewing at the LC-39 Gantry location SOLD OUT and at the Apollo Saturn V/Banana Creek location. These tickets will sell out fast! More info at https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/2020/march/rocket-launch-spacex-falcon-9-crs-20
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 EDT Saturday, 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!
(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:
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.
Enjoy!
Just a quick outline of what to expect in the coming weeks and months in terms of Space Coast launches… (spoiler: there’s a LOT happening!)
The next one up will be SpaceX Starlink 4, currently set to launch on a Falcon 9 from SLC-40 on February 15th at 10:46 am EST. I’ll have more specific viewing information and advice shortly, but as this launch will include a drone ship landing rather than returning to LZ-1, and due to the northerly trajectories of Starlink launches, my general advice at this time is to strongly consider Playalinda Beach for viewing.
After that, we have SpaceX CRS-20 on the schedule for March 2nd, at 1:45 am EST. CRS launches are commercial resupply missions to the ISS, and thus are usually RTLS (return to landing site) with the boosters landing at LZ-1. For this reason, and because the time of night will limit availability of other options, I recommend favoring a more southern viewing option, like the Route 401 Viewing Stands (note: parking is limited, and they fill up fast!) or Jetty Park or Exploration Tower, if those sites make viewing opportunities available.
The next confirmed launch date after that will be for United Launch Alliance’s AEHF-6 launch of their Atlas V rocket from SLC-41, currently set for March 13th at 3:45 pm EDT. As this is within normal hours of operation for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, viewing may be available from their Banana Creek/Apollo Saturn V Center; in addition, Playalinda Beach should be open and available, and both of these will be good options for viewing.
Other launches noted as TBD (to be determined) for sometime in March are SpaceX’s Starlink 5 and SAOCOM 1B launches, and SpaceX’s GPS 3 SV03 launch in April; there is also a ULA Atlas V launch of AFSPC 7/OTV-6 listed as TBD for May. More news on those as it becomes available.
The big news, however, is that we now have a working date for SpaceX’s Demo-2 launch, which will carry astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil for the first time since the end of the shuttle program. Currently, that working date is May 7th, but the launch date is very much not certain at this point; there is a strong probability that it might be delayed, or might even happen sooner. Still, it is not too soon to begin making preliminary tentative travel plans. Keep an eye on social media, and this site, for further updates as the situation progresses.
These are exciting times for the Space Coast launch community! Head on down for a launch, or several!