A rocket launch during rush hour? Around the time hundreds of drivers head home from work or out to dinner, a SpaceX launch window opens.
There is a rocket launch scheduled for this week in Florida – maybe two – and the Space Coast should get a great view of the launch, weather permitting and depending on cloud cover. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket may lift off just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, carrying an Astra 1P satellite, and another Falcon 9 rocket will deploy Starlink internet satellites.
Below is a calendar of upcoming rocket launches and suggestions for where to watch them. If there are any changes to the launch(es), this story will be updated.
Rocket launch calendar for Florida: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 listed in FLORIDA TODAY’s rocket launch calendar for the month of June, which is updated regularly. (Check that link often for rocket launch times and dates, as they may be routinely changed for various reasons.)
FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, offers interactive launch coverage and livestream 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 Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or tweet him @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 18
- Place: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Live coverage: To watch live coverage of rocket launches, FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space beginning approximately 90 minutes before launch time. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or type 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 number of Starlink internet satellites, which are packed into the 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 ceased seconds before the scheduled launch.
- Place: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Procedure: Northeast
- Live coverage: To watch live coverage of rocket launches, FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space beginning approximately 90 minutes before launch time. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space in your browser.
Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida today?
You can get a view of the rocket launch almost anywhere in Brevard. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility depends on weather conditions and people should ensure they do not block traffic or passage on bridges and that they follow the rules on beaches.
If you’re watching the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look directly east, across the river.
If you’re further south along the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest place to view the launch as it runs almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. At the beach, look south along the coastline (you can even see the path from some spots).
Some hotspots to check out:
- Jetty Park beach and pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Please note that parking charges apply.
- Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Please note: parking charges apply and access to Canaveral National Seashore is not always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
- Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Please note: parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.
- Space View Park8 Broad St., Titusville
- Zandpuntpark10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotating park on the river4141 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 harbor
- Several parks on Merritt Island
- Rotating 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, Royal Caribbean in port
- Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Please note, parking fees may apply.
- Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. The parking rate varies.
- Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. By the way, Lori Wilson Park has a dog park.
- Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Please note, parking fees may apply.
- Cocoa beach in the centeralong the Minutemen Causeway
- Tables Beach197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- The tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Several parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Causeway
- Eau Gallie Causeway
- Front Street Park near Melbourne (US 192) Causeway and US 1 in Melbourne
- Indian Lantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
- Paradise Beach Parkaka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachfront park)
- Sebastian Inlet Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (entrance fees apply)
- 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 lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her further Tweet or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.