A SpaceX rocket launch is on the horizon this week – weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, the Space Coast should have a great view of the launch.
Below is more information about the event, as well as a calendar of upcoming rocket launches and suggestions for where to watch them. This story will be updated if there are any changes to the launch.
Is there a rocket launch in Florida today? Rocket launch calendar for Florida missions
Here’s what we know about the rocket missions mentioned in FLORIDA TODAY’s calendar of rocket launches for the month, which is updated frequently. (Check this link often for rocket launch times and dates, as they routinely change for various reasons.)
FLORIDA TODAY, the USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, provides interactive launch coverage at floridatoday.com/space with frequent updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email or tweet Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com @rickneale1 on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You can also reach space reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or @brookeofstars on X and @brooke_of_stars on Instagram.
When will the next rocket launch be near Cape Canaveral, Florida? Friday, May 31: SpaceX Starlink
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s navigational advisory indicates that another 4½-hour launch window for the SpaceX Starlink mission will open on Friday evening.
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry a payload of Starlink Internet satellites.
- Launch: Friday, May 31 from 6:43 PM to 11:14 PM EDT
- Trajectory: Southeast
- Local sonic boom: No
- Landing Booster: A drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean
- Live Streaming: For live coverage of the rocket launch, FLORIDA TODAY’s space team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space beginning about 90 minutes before launch. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or write floridatoday.com/space to your browser.
Where to watch a SpaceX or NASA rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida or the Kennedy Space Center
Pretty much anywhere in Brevard has a view of a rocket launch. 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 ensure they do not block traffic or the right of way on bridges and beaches and follow posted rules.
If you’re watching the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.
If you are further south along the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest place to view the launch since it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coast (you can even see the pad from some places).
Some hotspots to try:
- Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Please note that parking is subject to a charge.
- Playalinda beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Please note that parking is subject to a fee and access to the Canaveral National Seashore is not always guaranteed depending on capacity and time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Please note that parking is available on both sides of the Max Brewer Bridge.
- A park with a view of space8 Broad St., Titusville
- Sand Point Park10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just off State Road 520 Causeway)
- Cocoa Village, close to 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 in Merritt Island
- Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean in port
- Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Please note that parking fees may apply.
- Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. The 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. Please note that parking fees may apply.
- Downtown Cocoa Beachalong the Minutemen Causeway
- Beach tables197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- High tide and low tide on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Causeway
- Eau Gallie Causeway
- Front Street Park near the Melbourne (US 192) Causeway and US 1 in Melbourne
- Indian Promenade at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Parkaka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beach park)
- Sebastian Inlet Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (admission fee)
- Ambersands Beach Park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
- South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
- Merrill Barber Bridge at Vero Beach
- Alma Lee Loy Bridge at Vero Beach
Rick Neale is a space reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1