Jennifer Sangalang and Rick Neale, Florida Today
Updated ·6 min read
Editor’s note: SpaceX launch was scrubbed Tuesday, June 18, with the next attempt Wednesday, June 19, which also is the federal holiday Juneteenth. More information below from FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team.
Original story posted Sunday, June 16:
A rush-hour rocket launch? At about the time hundreds of motorists will be heading home from work or dinner out, a SpaceX launch window begins.
AFlorida rocket launch is on the horizonthis week — maybe two — and the Space Coastshould get a great view of liftoff, weather permitting and depending on cloud cover. A SpaceXFalcon 9 rocketwill potentially lift off Wednesday just after 5 p.m., carrying an Astra 1P satellite and another Falcon 9 rocket will deploy Starlink internet satellites.
Below is acalendar for upcoming rocket launches, suggestions on where to watch them. If there are changes to the launch(es), this story will be updated.
Florida rocket launch calendar: Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA, ULA missions from Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center
Is there a rocket launch in Florida today? Rocket launch calendar for Florida
Here's what we know about the rocket launch missions, mentioned inFLORIDA TODAY's rocket launch calendarfor the month of June, 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 and livestream 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 contact Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or tweet her@brookeofstarson X orInstagram.
Is there a rocket launch from Florida? Wednesday, June 19, Juneteenth: SpaceX Astra 1P/SES-24
This mission − Astra 1P/SES-24 − will attempt to launch at 5:25 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 19, or Juneteenth, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This payload is a communications satellite for an SES and Astra partnership, which are European communication organizations. The Ku-band geostationary satellite, which was developed by Thales Alenia Space, will provide satellite TV service for Germany, France and Spain. According to the SES website, Astra satellites have been providing TV and radio for Germany since 1988.
Mission:A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Astra 1P satellite, which will broadcast satellite TV channels across Germany, France and Spain, for Luxembourg-based satelliteoperatorSES.
Launch:5:25 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 19; previously 5:35 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 18
See AlsoCan SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center be seen in Jacksonville?SpaceX launch recap: Starlink mission Sunday from Cape Canaveral, FloridaSpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch: Best spots to view in Sebastian, Vero Beach, Fort PierceCan SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center be seen in West Palm Beach?Location:Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
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 freeFLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in theApp StoreorGoogle Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
When's the next Florida rocket launch? TBA: SpaceX Starlink 10-2 from Cape Canaveral
Mission:A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites, which are packed inside the fairing atop the 230-foot rocket.
Launch:TBA − SpaceX attempted to launch this mission three times June 12, June 13 and June 14 before operations ceased seconds before the scheduled launch.
Location:Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Trajectory:Northeast
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 freeFLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in theApp StoreorGoogle Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today?
Where to watch a SpaceX rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida
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
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her onTwitteror Instagram at@byjensangalang. Support local journalism.Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida: How to watch it
