A SpaceX rocket launch is on the horizon this week — weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, the Space Coast should get a great view of liftoff.
Below is more information on the event as well as a calendar for upcoming rocket launches and suggestions on where to watch them. If there are changes to the launch, this story will be updated.
Is there a rocket launch today in Florida? Rocket launch calendar for Florida missions
Here's what we know about the rocket launch missions, mentioned inFLORIDA TODAY's rocket launch calendarfor the month, which is updated frequently. (Check that link often for rocket launch times and dates because they are routinely subject to change for a variety of reasons.)
FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, provides interactive launch coverage atfloridatoday.com/spacewith frequent updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, emailSpace Reporter Rick Nealeat rneale@floridatoday.com or tweet him@rickneale1on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You also can reach out to Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or @brookeofstars on X and @brooke_of_stars on Instagram.
When's the next rocket launch near Cape Canaveral, Florida? Friday, May 31: SpaceX Starlink
A National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational advisory indicates another 4½-hour launch window will open Friday evening for a SpaceX Starlink mission.
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload of Starlink internet satellites.
- Launch: 6:43 p.m. until 11:14 p.m. EDT Friday, May 31
- Trajectory: Southeast
- Local sonic boom: No
- Booster landing: Drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean
- Live coverage:If you want to watch live rocket launch coverage,FLORIDA TODAY's Space Teamwill provide updates atfloridatoday.com/space, starting about 90 minutes before launch time. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
Where to watch SpaceX or NASA rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, or Kennedy Space Center
Pretty much anywherein Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocketlaunch. 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 liftoffbecause 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).
Some hotspots to check out:
- Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road,Port Canaveral. Note, there's a charge to park.
- Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there's a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn't always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville.Note,parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.
- Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville
- Sand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary RiverfrontPark, 4141 S. Washington Ave.,Titusville
- Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
- Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docks
- Variousparks on Merritt Island
- Rotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
- Kiwanis Parkon Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
- Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port
- Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parkingcosts.
- Cocoa Beach Pier,401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.
- Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.
- Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parkingcosts.
- Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen Causeway
- Tables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- The Tideson SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Variousparks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Causeway
- Eau Gallie Causeway
- Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne
- Indialantic boardwalkat Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Park, aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)
- Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)
- Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
- South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
- Merrill Barber BridgeinVero Beach
- Alma Lee Loy BridgeinVero Beach
Rick Nealeis a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories,click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 orrneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X:@RickNeale1
