Who's ready for a late-night rocket launch? Weather permitting,
a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will lift the first of two next-generation Airbus-built satellites into orbit to provide communications for the Spanish government, its allies and international organizations, the Space Coast Office of Tourism reported.
The time and day for the launch SpaceX is potentially the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 29. The launch window lasts just over five hours, according to SpaceX. Rockets launch from Kennedy Space Center and
Cape Canaveral, Florida , in Brevard County, which is an hour east of the Orlando theme parks. Depending on cloud cover, weather and visibility, people from Daytona Beach to Titusville to Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach might see a nice streak in the sky — given the proximity to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Below are suggestions on where to watch the rocket launch from this area and other things to know. If there are changes to the launch schedule, this story will be updated. For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at
[email protected] or Space Repoter Brooke Edwards at
[email protected]. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit
floridatoday.com/space .
Where can I see a rocket launch in Florida ? Are there sonic booms with every launch from Cape Canaveral or Kennedy Space Center?
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, rocket launches from the Space Coast could be visible from almost every part of Brevard County. Night launches, in particular, offer a beautiful view. After launch, there’s typically a rumble here and some possible window-shaking. Some rocket launches have an added bonus: The SpaceX boosters return to a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean or, occasionally, to the company's landing zone at Cape Canaveral. If a booster returns to the landing zone, there's a sonic boom. When there’s a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there’s an
opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.
What time is the next rocket launch from Florida? Wednesday, January 29: SpaceX SpainSat NG-1
Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch?
Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
Where to watch SpaceX rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida
Pretty much anywhere
in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch − in certain areas, you can get an
amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches. If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river. If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast. Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots).
