A rocket launch during rush hour? Around the time when hundreds of drivers are driving home from work or to dinner, SpaceX’s launch window opens.
There’s a rocket launch coming up in Florida this week — maybe in two weeks — and the Space Coast should have a great view of the launch, weather permitting and cloud cover dependent. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket may lift off shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday carrying an Astra 1P satellite, and another Falcon 9 rocket will launch Starlink internet satellites into space.
Below you’ll find a calendar of upcoming rocket launches, along with suggestions on where to watch them. If there are any changes to the launches, this article will be updated.
Rocket launch calendar for Florida: Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA and 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 listed in FLORIDA TODAY’s rocket launch calendar for the month of June, which is updated regularly. (Check this link regularly for when and where rocket launches are taking place, as they can change regularly for a variety of reasons.)
FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, will provide interactive launch coverage and livestreams at floridatoday.com/space with regular updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email space reporter Rick Neale at [email protected] or tweet him. @rickneale1 on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You can also contact space reporter Brooke Edwards at [email protected] or tweet her @brookeofstars on X or Instagram.
Will there be a rocket launch from Florida? Tuesday, June 18: SpaceX Astra 1P/SES-24
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Astra 1P satellite, which will broadcast satellite television channels in Germany, France and Spain for Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES.
- Begin: 5:35 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 18
- Location: Launch Complex 40 on the Cape Canaveral Space Station
- Live broadcast: To follow live rocket launch coverage, FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team will provide updates starting approximately 90 minutes before launch at floridatoday.com/space. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or enter a floridatoday.com/space in your browser.
When is the next rocket launch in Florida? TBA: SpaceX Starlink 10-2 from Cape Canaveral
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will deploy a series of Starlink internet satellites packed into the fairing atop the 230-foot-tall rocket.
- Begin: TBA – SpaceX attempted this mission three times, on June 12, 13, and 14, before shutting down operations seconds before scheduled launch.
- Location: Launch Complex 40 on the Cape Canaveral Space Station
- Trajectory: Northeast
- Live broadcast: To follow live rocket launch coverage, FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team will provide updates starting approximately 90 minutes before launch at floridatoday.com/space. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or enter a floridatoday.com/space in your browser.
Will it rain today in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida?
You can watch the rocket launch from pretty much anywhere in Brevard. The best view of a rocket launch is from the beach on the Space Coast. However, visibility is dependent on weather conditions and people should be careful not to block traffic or the right of way on bridges and to follow posted rules on the beaches.
If you watch the launch on the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, you will be looking directly east across the river.
If you are further south on the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach, or Canaveral National Seashore, is the closest place to watch the launch, as it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. From the beach, look south along the shoreline (from some spots you can even see the ramp).
Some hotspots to check out:
- Jetty Park Beach and Pier400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Please note that parking is subject to a fee.
- Playa Linda Beach1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Please note that parking is subject to a fee and access to Canaveral National Seashore is not always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note: Parking is available on both sides of the Max Brewer Bridge.
- Space View Park8 Broad St., Titusville
- Sand Point Park10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary Park on the river bank4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
- Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docks
- Various parks on Merritt Island
- Rotary Park1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
- Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
- Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean in port
- Alan Shepard Park299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Please note that parking fees may apply.
- Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.
- Lori Wilson Park1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. There is also a dog park in Lori Wilson Park.
- Sidney Fisher Park2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Please note that parking fees may apply.
- Downtown Cocoa Beachalong the Minutemen Causeway
- Tables Beach197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- ebb and flow on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Dam
- Eau Gallie Dam
- Front Street Park near Melbourne (US 192) Causeway and US 1 in Melbourne
- Indialantic Promenade at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Parkalso known as Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beach park)
- Sebastian Inlet Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (admission fee applies)
- Ambersands Beach Park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
- South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
- Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach
- Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach
Sangalang is a senior digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Þjórsárden or on Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider a subscription to a Florida newspaper.
