- Falcon Heavy, consisting of three first Falcon 9 rocket stages, can be seen off the Space Coast, weather permitting.
- Playalinda Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) is the closest place to view the launch, as it runs almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Godspeed, Falcon Heavy!
The giant SpaceX rocket – more powerful than the space agency’s Falcon 9 – may take off this week.
Depending on the weather, Falcon Heavy should be visible almost everywhere on the Space Coast and in areas outside the province. Learn more about the rocket launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center here. If there are any changes to the launch, 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 from Florida? Next up is Tuesday, June 25: SpaceX Falcon Heavy GOES-U
What is SpaceX Falcon Heavy?
The Falcon Heavy consists of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages – which together provide three times the lift. The middle Falcon 9 is fully loaded with the rocket’s second stage and payload on top. The payload, in this case the NOAA satellite, is encased in fairings to protect it on its way to space.
By comparison, the Falcon 9 that launches Starlink missions is a single rocket. Only one of these single rockets with the second stage is 70 meters high and has a diameter of 3.5 meters.
With three of these Falcon 9 rockets, the monster Falcon Heavy is at the same height. However, it is much wider, giving it a width of 11 meters, which is comparable to almost three cars parked bumper to bumper.
How big is Falcon Heavy? What does SpaceX Falcon Heavy look like compared to Falcon 9 rockets?
Photo galleries accompanying this story show scenes from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch (morning, afternoon or night) from Florida’s Space Coast, which includes 70 miles of coastline from Mims and Titusville to Melbourne Beach and Grant-Valkaria.
Falcon Heavy, which consists of three first Falcon 9 rocket stages, can be seen off the Space Coast, weather permitting and cloud cover.
Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida today? Will it cancel another rocket launch?
Shown is National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which provides real-time conditions for the Space Coast and other parts of Florida.
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 will depend on weather conditions and people should ensure they do not block traffic or rights of way 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 promenade 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.