Category: News & Updates

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: 9-Feb-2020 1:53 pm – Star*Fleet Tours cancellation

UPDATE: We’ve learned that Star*Fleet Tours is cancelling tonight’s launch ride due to concerns about rough seas; if you have purchased these tickets, check your email for more info. We recommend Jetty Park as a viewing alternative.

On Sunday, February 9th at 11:03 pm EST, United Launch Alliance will be launching the Solar Orbiter spacecraft for NASA and ESA aboard their Atlas 5 rocket from SLC-41 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Solar Orbiter will travel inside the orbit of Mercury to study the sun’s heliosphere.

Launch Viewing: As this is a late night launch, many viewing locations will not be accessible; Playalinda Beach, for example, will be closed to the public. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be offering premium viewing at their LC-39 Gantry, but the tickets for this have already sold out has had to cancel LC-39 Gantry viewing due to safety concerns. Since this launch seems to be expected to follow a southeast trajectory, the best viewing locations will likely be Jetty Park, the viewing stands at SR-401, or the beaches in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Viewing will also be possible from the parks along US-1 in Titusville.

UPDATE: Star*Fleet Tours will be offering launch viewing from a preferred location offshore! This will provide one of the best, if not the best, view of the launch. (Note: Location on viewing map below is very approximate, and does not reflect the boat’s actual position.) They’re also offering a separate pre-launch viewing tour of the rocket’s roll-out on Saturday. Hurry up and get your tickets – these sell out fast! More information available at www.star-fleet.tours

Viewing Advice: The launch window opens at 11:03 pm and extends for two hours, so you may be in your viewing location for some time. Florida in the winter, especially at night and near the water, can get quite chilly – make sure you have a warm jacket with you! Bring a social media device so you can keep track of any launch updates or delays. And as always, keep an eye on social media on the days and hours prior to the launch – delays are common.

Other Information: Our best information at this time indicates that the rocket will be rolled out to the pad on Saturday, February 8th, around 10 am. This will probably be visible from Playalinda Beach, so if you’re in the area, you might want to take a trip over to watch. Admission to Playalinda is $20, and allows you 7 consecutive days of access to the beach.

Stay tuned for any launch updates!