Category: News & Updates

Launch news and updates from the Space Coast.

Upcoming Launch: Solar Orbiter, Feb 9 2020 (Update #3)

posted on 3rd February, 2020 1:50 pm by

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!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX Starlink 3 Slips to 1/29

posted on 16th January, 2020 12:07 am by

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.

Viewing map for Starlink 3 (Version 2)

If you’re still in town from the IFA launch and have time to kill before Starlink, fear not; there’s still plenty to do! Double down on the space immersion with a visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Sands Space History Center, and/or the American Space Museum & Walk of Fame – tell ’em the Wayward Plane sent you!

Upcoming Launch: SpaceX Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test

posted on 9th January, 2020 3:05 am by

Last Revision: 18-Jan-2020 5:05 am – scrub-a-dub-dub.

The SpaceX In-Flight Abort test for their Crew Dragon capsule is currently scheduled for No Earlier Than (NET) Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8:00 am EST SCRUBBED; new time is Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 8:00 am EST, with a six-hour launch window. For this test flight, SpaceX will launch an uncrewed Crew Dragon capsule atop a reflown Falcon 9 rocket from pad LC-39A, then simulate an unplanned flight termination via rapid scheduled disassembly of the first-stage booster, at which point the capsule’s abort engines are expected to allow it to escape from the explosion to parachute unharmed into the ocean. This is a crucial test for SpaceX’s entry in the Commercial Crew program, and will pave the way for SpaceX to launch crew to the International Space Station.

The weather forecast released today by the 45th Space Wing for the new date shows a 60% go-for-launch probability, deteriorating to 40% at the end of the launch window – so stay tuned to all the usual places for more news as this situation develops.

Viewing locations: Recommendations and availability may change up until the time of launch. Note that as this is a test launch, the actual time of launch could be delayed by some hours, and so comfort should be factored into your viewing plans. As of now, we have no news of changes to any of this information; if needed (or possible), contact your preferred viewing spot directly for any news of changes in availability.

Information below this line has not been updated for the launch scrub.

Recommended:

  • Star*Fleet Tours: Will be offering boat tours for this launch; will be the closest viewing option available. $95 per person, on sale starting Jan. 9th at noon EST SOLD OUT. Note: People with tickets to the Star*Fleet tour should check their Slack or Twitter (@StarFleetTours) for information about the possibility of a Small Craft Advisory for the 18th.
  • Jetty Park: Should be available for viewing. Parking $15/car for non-Brevard county residents. More info here.
  • Exploration Tower: Offering VIP launch viewing, $50 per person. Purchase tickets here.

Also Available:

  • SR-401 Viewing Stands: May or may not be available, depending on whether SpaceX reserves the space. If this is your destination, have an alternate plan in mind. Free.
  • KARS Park: As usual, we have no firm information about this location, other than they seem to be offering viewing for many/most launches at a fee of $5/car. If you have more info, please let us know!
  • Max Brewer Bridge: Pedestrian walkways expected to be available as usual. As per KSC road closure information below, the bridge will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 am, but pedestrian access seems to be unaffected. Free.
  • Space View Park, Manzo Park, US 1 @ SR-50: Any of the parks or open space along the Titusville waterfront will offer a view of the launch. Free.
  • Cocoa Beach Pier: The Pier, or any of the beaches northward, will be available for this launch. Parking fees vary, free parking may be available.
  • Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: is not offering premium viewing opportunities, but have stated that they will open at 8 a.m. on launch day, and that viewing will be available from the main visitor complex. Note that the launch will not be visible until the rocket rises above the treeline, and thus this location is less recommended. Cost: regular daily admission or annual pass, see website for specific cost.

Not Recommended/Not Available:

  • Playalinda Beach: The park will be closed until after the launch, due to the possibility of debris and toxic fumes.

Road Closure Information:

As of 15 January, Kennedy Space Center has released road closure information related to the launch, as follows:

  • State Road 3 from Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way, will be closed to the general public at 4 a.m. Access to Kennedy Space Center, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel. The roads will reopen after launch.
  • The A. Max Brewer Bridge on State Road 406 in Titusville, east to Playalinda Beach, will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 a.m.
  • State Road 3 North at US 1 in Volusia County, south to Playalinda Beach, will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic at 3:30 a.m.

Canaveral National Seashore has confirmed that Route 406 will be closed to ALL entry beginning at 3:30 a.m. on January 18th. The southern portion of Mosquito Lagooon via BioLab Road or Max Hoek Road and the Gator Creek Roads will also be inaccessible. Please do not plan to view the launch from any part of this area.

Whichever viewing area you’re headed for, make sure your route is unaffected by these closures, and plan for delays.

Stay tuned for more information as this launch approaches!

Post-Launch Updates: Starliner, SpaceX OCISLY Return

posted on 21st December, 2019 5:03 pm by

After a picture-perfect launch aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket early Friday morning, the Boeing Starliner capsule missed its proper orbital insertion to rendezvous with the International Space Station as planned, and will instead land in White Sands, New Mexico tomorrow morning at 7:57 AM EST. Coverage will be shown live on NASA TV starting at 6:45 AM EST.

Due to what is believed to be a software issue, Boeing’s capsule did not make the planned burn to reach the orbit needed for ISS rendezvous. The problem occurred due to automation and a communication challenge with TDRS, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites; according to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during a press conference yesterday morning, if the capsule had been crewed, the astronauts aboard might have been able to provide data and take action to complete the mission as planned, and in any case, would have been safe. ULA CEO Tory Bruno confirmed during the same press conference that ULA’s Atlas V rocket performed nominally throughout the launch to spacecraft separation. Despite the issues encountered, a great deal of information is being gathered to help ensure that future problems of this sort can be prevented. At this time, it has not been determined whether there will be another uncrewed test mission prior to the first crewed launch of the Starliner capsule.

Meanwhile, the launch itself was viewable along the eastern coast of the United States, resulting in spectacular photos from viewers far north of Florida, as well as the usual stunning work by the recurring cast of Space Coast launch photographers:

And while all the pre-launch prep and post-launch drama was going on elsewhere, SpaceX’s drone ship Of Course I Still Love You sailed serenely into port on Thursday, carrying the landed booster from the successful JCSAT-18/Kacific1 launch on December 16th. By Friday evening, the booster was horizontal and being offloaded from OCISLY.

Don’t forget to tune into NASA TV tomorrow for coverage of the Starliner capsule landing, and stay tuned for more exciting Space Coast rocket launches!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX Starlink 2 Moves to January 6

posted on 21st December, 2019 2:24 pm by

(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.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Traffic Advisory, 12/20

posted on 18th December, 2019 10:12 am by

Per media advisory from Kennedy Space Center, please note the following road closures for Friday, December 20th, in conjunction with the ULA Starliner launch from SLC 41 in Cape Canaveral:

“Beginning Friday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 a.m., Kennedy Space Center Security Police will be enforcing restricted access from the Kennedy Space Center boundary lines for the duration of the launch attempt. Security police will operate checkpoints at the property lines listed below:

  • State Road 3 from Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way. Access to Kennedy Space Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel and invited launch guests.
  • The A. Max Brewer Memorial Bridge on State Road 406 in Titusville, east of Playalinda Beach. The Playalinda Beach area will be closed to the general public.
  • The Haulover Canal Bridge will be closed at 3:30 a.m. which will restrict access from the Oak Hill area

Please expect delays and plan accordingly.

Launch Day Update: Food Trucks @ Jetty Park Tonight

posted on 16th December, 2019 11:11 am by

As per the Jetty Park Beach & Campground Facebook page: Four food trucks are scheduled to be on site for the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch tonight! Cosmos Ice Cream, Bizzle’s Bistro, Simple Soup N Sammich and The Melting Box will be serving food from 5 pm onward to hungry launch viewers. Tonight’s launch window opens at 7:10 pm, and weather reports are showing 90% favorable conditions for launch. C’mon out to the Space Coast and see what we do best!

Upcoming Launches: SpaceX JCSAT 18, ULA Starliner OFT, SpaceX Starlink 2

posted on 12th December, 2019 9:52 pm by

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.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Welcome to the Space Coast, JRTI!

posted on 11th December, 2019 11:50 am by
Photo by @baserunner0723

Space Coast launch life isn’t just about rockets and space – in fact, for the past few days, our focus has been fixed on the water.

Yesterday, on a bright sunny Florida winter day, the SpaceX drone ship Just Read The Instructions (JRTI) was brought into Port Canaveral to join sister ship Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) for the first time since their shipyard days 4+ years ago.

(Featured Image by @baserunner0723.)

Since their acquisition by SpaceX, these ships have been supporting first-stage landings at sea on opposite sides of the United States – OCISLY on the east coast, JRTI on the west coast. Recently, however, the frequency of west coast launches from Vandenberg AFB has waned, while the cadence on the east coast has increased, due in part to SpaceX’s launches of satellites for their Starlink constellation. Presumably, this is the reason for moving JRTI to Port Canaveral.

For some months, JRTI had been undergoing repairs and/or upgrades in Louisiana – until the day when sharp-eyed onlookers reported that the drone ship was no longer there:

Diligent ship trackers soon confirmed that the tug Alice C was towing JRTI toward Port Canaveral, and anticipation grew as we awaited their arrival.

By Monday, it was confirmed that Alice C and JRTI were sitting outside the entrance to Port Canaveral. Naturally, the usual Space Coast crew headed to Port – to wait, and hypothesize, and take lots of pictures.

Savvy onlookers like Julia quickly deduced that SpaceX’s two fairing-catcher boats, Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief, would have to relocate to make room for JRTI.

In order to berth JRTI, a dock wedge needed to be installed – essentially, a bumper, to allow the ship to be moored without scraping anything.

While this work was done, Alice C and JRTI waited patiently outside Port Canaveral. Their proximity inspired new speculation, as to what else (besides the dock wedge) they might be bringing.

Meanwhile, the booster from CRS-19 – remember the booster? ‘cuz there was a booster – serenely waited for its ride to arrive.

Alas, the day’s work could not be completed before the arrival of several scheduled cruise ships (you know, those big fancy boats that don’t haul rockets) and so the ship stalkers had to take their leave of Port Canaveral, and await the next morning – a day which would be free of such issues.

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny, as the ship-stalkers once again assembled in Port Canaveral to keep watch for JRTI:

Heck, I even made it down there myself for awhile!

Logistics and maneuvering proceeded apace, as workers made room for all their kids at the dock.

Finally, at around 2:30 pm, it happened: JRTI and company made their way into the port!

Upon entry into the Port, onlookers were finally able to catch a glimpse of that cargo JRTI was carrying: among other things, six thrusters, to help JRTI (or perhaps OCISLY) with their booster-catching shenanigans.

I bet you wish you could’ve been there, huh? Fortunately, Julia was gracious enough to stream the arrival, and so you can relive those moments from the comfort of your easy chair, and without having to spend two days in the sun to do it:

Whether it’s at the space port, or the ship port, or out on the beaches, launch life on the Space Coast is always an adventure!

Slip-sliding away: JCSAT 18, Starliner OFT

posted on 7th December, 2019 7:41 pm by

As is not-at-all unusual, the next two launches scheduled for the Space Coast have slipped to later dates.

SpaceX’s JCSAT 18/Kacific 1 launch on a Falcon 9 rocket, originally scheduled to launch on the 15th, is now slated to launch from Pad SLC-40 on Monday, December 16th. The launch window opens at 7:10 pm EST, and remains open until 8:38 pm. As the payload is being launched to geostationary orbit, the booster is expected to land on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You, and thus will not be visible from shore. Due to the time of this launch, best viewing locations are probably Jetty Park in Port Canaveral, the beaches of Port Canaveral and the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville.

The CST-100 Starliner Orbital Test Flight to the ISS, launching on a ULA Atlas 5 rocket, formerly scheduled to launch on the 19th, is now set to launch from Pad SLC-41 on Friday, December 20th. As is usual for ISS launches, this one has an instantaneous launch window, starting and ending at 6:36 am EST. This launch is the penultimate step before Boeing/ULA’s entry to NASA’s Commercial Crew program can begin sending astronauts to the ISS from American soil. As it is occurring just before sunrise, it’s possible that the noctilucent effect will cause a unique and spectacular visual effect on the plume of the launching rocket, making it a sight not to be missed! Again, due to the time of this launch, preferred viewing locations are probably Jetty Park, Port Canaveral beaches, and the parks along U.S. 1 in Titusville.

There is still a SpaceX Starlink 2 launch on the schedule for “late December”, but no further details have been specified, and this launch may well slip to January.

Stay tuned for further details!