Best places to watch on Tuesday
The launch of the SpaceX rocket was scheduled for tonight, Monday, Oct. 21. it was delayed – and depending on weather and visibility, the Space Coast could see a show in the sky on Tuesday, Oct. 22, rather.
Florida Today reported Monday evening that SpaceX has not given a reason for rescheduling Monday’s launch.
This launch is “one to watch,” according to the space team Florida Today, because it will be the 72nd launch of 2024. In 2023, SpaceX helped break the record by participating in 72 launches which were completed near Cape Canaveral. And with just over two months to go before the end of the year, it looks like that record is about to be broken again.
Below are some suggestions on where to watch rocket launches in this area and other things you should know. If there are any changes to the launch schedule, this story will be updated.
For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com. For more news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Can you see the launch of Melbourne Beach?
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a SpaceX rocket launch should be visible from anywhere in Brevard County. And moments after a person is lifted, there is usually a lot of noise.
When there is a launch window in the middle of the night or in the early morning, there is an opportunity to make unique photos – the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail makes a great photo.
Is there a rocket launch today?Next schedule of SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket from Florida
There’s a rocket launch from Florida tonight? The next one is no earlier than Tuesday, Oct. 22: SpaceX Starlink 6-61
- Purpose: Navigation alerts show SpaceX is headed Tuesday night to launch another batch of Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit.
- Launch window: 6:14-11:45 pm EDT
- Location: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
- Sonic booms: No.
- Directions: Southeast.
- Coverage begins 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch the rocket launch from the USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, featuring FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visual reporters Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Short. Our Space team will provide the latest updates on an easy-to-access, countdown blog at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available from the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
Space Coast weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today?
Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows real-time conditions for the Space Coast and other parts of Florida. The date and time appear at the bottom right of this embedded radar; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
Just about anywhere in Brevard, you’ll see a rocket launch — in some places, you can get an amazing view of SpaceX’s rocket boosters returning to their pads. A great view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast near the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure they do not obstruct traffic or rights of way on bridges and follow the rules set on the beaches.
If you’re looking at the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look directly east across the river.
If you are farther south near the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest place to watch the launch because it is almost adjacent to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the beach, (you can see the pad from some places).
Other hotspots to check out:
- Jetty Park Beach and Pier400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there is a parking fee.
- Playalinda Beach1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there is a parking fee, and access to Canaveral National Seashore is not always available depending on the size 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.
- A place to look8 Broad St., Titusville
- Sand Point Park10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Riverfront Park in Cocoa City401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (off State Road 520 Causeway)
- Cocoa Villagenear parks and shops or near the port
- Different parks on Merritt Island
- Rotary Park1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
- Kiwanis Park On the way to Kiwanis Island Park on Merritt Island
- Port Canaveralwith ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean in port
- Alan Shepard Park299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there may be a parking fee.
- Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. Parking fees vary.
- Lori Wilson Park1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.
- Sidney Fischer Park2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there may be a parking fee.
- Downtown Cocoa Beachnear the Minutemen Causeway
- Beach table197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
- The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
- Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, are located in Satellite Beach
- Pineda Causeway
- Eau Gallie Causeway
- Front Street Park near the Melbourne (US 192) Causeway and US 1 in Melbourne
- Indianlantic boardwalk 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 (entry fee applies)
- Ambersands Beach Park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking lots)
- South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free tours)
- Merrill Barber Bridge in the Vero Beach area
- Alma Lee Loy Bridge in the Vero Beach area
(This story has been updated to include new information.)
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