Rocket launch at peak time? Around the time hundreds of motorists head home from work or dinner, SpaceX’s launch window begins.
A Florida rocket launch is on the horizon this week — maybe two — and the Space Coast should have a great view of the launch, weather permitting and depending on cloud cover. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will potentially lift off just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, carrying the Astra 1P satellite, and another Falcon 9 rocket will deploy the Starlink Internet satellites.
Below is a calendar of upcoming rocket launches, suggestions for where to watch them. This story will be updated if there are any changes to the launch(s).
Florida Rockets Launch Calendar:Is it launching today? SpaceX, NASA, ULA mission from Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center
Is there a rocket launch in Florida today? Florida rocket launch calendar
Here’s what we know about the rocket missions mentioned in FLORIDA TODAY’s June launch calendar, 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 and live 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 contact space reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or tweet her @brookeofstars on X or Instagram.
Is there 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 TV channels in Germany, France and Spain for Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES.
- Launch: 5:35 PM EDT Tuesday June 18th
- Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- 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 FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or write floridatoday.com/space to your browser.
When will the Florida Rockets launch next? TBA: SpaceX Starlink 10-2 from Cape Canaveral
- Mission: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deploy a batch of Starlink Internet satellites that are packed inside a fairing atop the 230-foot rocket.
- Launch: TBA − SpaceX attempted to launch this mission three times, on June 12, June 13, and June 14, before operations were halted seconds before the scheduled launch.
- Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: Northeast
- 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 FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or write floridatoday.com/space to your browser.
Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida today?
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
Sangalang is the lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider a Florida newspaper subscription.