Watching a Florida Rocket Launch

By James | Last updated December 27, 2023

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Watching a rocket launch is a truly memorable occasion especially if you are close enough to hear the engines. You can generally watch a launch from inside the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (if it is during normal operating hours) or from nearby publicly accessible land.

To watch from inside the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex you need a normal admission ticket and for the more popular launches like the crewed launches, you need a Launch Viewing Package which sometimes includes admission.

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Whilst normal admission tickets can be purchased from several outlets, the special launch viewing packages can only be purchased directly from the Kennedy Space Center

A nighttime launch is more atmospheric though it is possible the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed.

When buying Kennedy Space Center tickets you can often save money with discounted deals from our travel partner.

As well as single-day tickets, they also sell day trips from Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex which are great if you do not want to drive.

With the routine “return to earth” landings of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy first-stage boosters, double sonic booms are once again being heard at the Cape.

Click here to see when the next rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center is due to lift off.

Watching a rocket launch from inside the Kennedy Space Center

NASA used to offer free passes to watch the space shuttle launches in Florida from the NASA causeway but now the space shuttle is no more, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex sometimes charges extra to view a rocket from the various launch viewing areas or only admits guests who have purchased a special launch package.

Today you can generally watch for free from the Space Shuttle Plaza by the Atlantis building at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex though the initial launch is obscured by trees.

You can often watch from the Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area adjacent to the Apollo Saturn V Center which is closer. Sometimes launch viewing is complimentary but other times you have to buy a Launch Viewing ticket add-on to view the launch from this location. Prices are generally around $20 plus tax. Launch viewing packages start at $75 plus tax and include admission.

If the launch is outside of normal daytime operations, then the Apollo Saturn V Center itself is usually closed but restrooms and food are generally available.

For some launches, you can purchase a Premium Launch Viewing and Admission Package which lets you watch a launch from either the LC-39 Observation Gantry area or very occasionally from the NASA Causeway. LC-39 Observation Gantry tickets generally cost around $49 plus tax and the NASA Causeway, $39 plus tax.

Tickets can be purchased online directly from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex but the more popular (and closer) LC-39 Observation Gantry area and NASA Causeway tickets often sell out very quickly.

When very high visitor numbers are expected like the first launch of the Falcon 9 Heavy and the Commercial Crew SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1, then all visitors must purchase a special viewing day ticket to gain admittance to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The largest crowd seen in many years witnessed the first launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy with three first-stage boosters in February 2018.

Viewing from the closest area, the Apollo/Saturn V Center cost $195 and from the Space Shuttle Atlantis® North Lawn Launch Viewing area cost $115 plus tax. Both deals included some exclusive offerings and souvenirs including food, drinks and a two-day admission ticket (including the day of launch).

The LC-39 Observation Gantry is closed when launching from the former space shuttle launch pads, LC-39A and LC-39B.

Rocket Launch Viewing Distances by Launchpad

The following table shows the approximate distance from the various viewing areas to the different launch pads.

RocketLaunchpadLC–39 Observation GantryBanana Creek Launch Viewing AreaNASA CausewayMain Visitor Complex
Atlas VSLC-412.3 miles (3.7 km)5.4 miles (8.7 km)5.2 miles (8.3 km)7.1 miles (11.4 km)
Delta IVSLC-375.5 miles (8.9 km)8.0 miles (12.8 km)3.0 miles (4.8 km)7.0 miles (11.3 km)
Falcon 9SLC-403.4 miles (5.5 km)6.2 miles (10.0 km)4.0 miles (6.4 km)6.7 miles (10.8 km)
SpaceXLC-39ANot available3.9 miles (6.3 km)7.0 miles (11.0 km)7.5 miles (12.0 km)
NASA SLSLC-39BNot available3.3 miles (5.3 km)8.6 miles (13.8 km)7.8 miles (12.6 km)
RelativitySLC-16Not available10.1 miles (16.3 km)Not available8.0 miles (12.9 km)

Note that SpaceX can use either LC-39A (the former shuttle launch pad) or SLC-40 to launch Falcon 9s and LC-39A for their Falcon Heavy.

You must allow sufficient time to reach the launch viewing areas as apart from the Space Shuttle Plaza, you need to drive or be taken by bus to the viewing areas.

All locations offer bleacher seating with launch commentary plus access to restrooms, food and souvenirs.

You need to be aware of the “Scrub Policy” if the launch does not go ahead as planned. Generally when you pay for a Launch Transportation Ticket and the launch is cancelled before you board the bus then your ticket is valid for the next attempted launch date or you can use the value of the ticket to buy merchandise in the Space Shop.

If the launch is cancelled after you have boarded the bus to the viewing area, then the ticket is assumed to have been used and you cannot use it for a subsequent launch. However, you will receive a complimentary one-day admission to the Kennedy Space Center for the next launch date plus a coupon to get 20% off merchandise.

You also used to be able to watch the launch from the old Astronauts Hall of Fame site by buying an “Astronaut Hall of Fame Launch Viewing” ticket (though the view was not that good). For an extra fee you could watch from the roof but these options are no longer available as the Hall of Fame has now closed.

Watching a rocket launch from outside the Kennedy Space Center

Even if you cannot obtain a pass or buy a ticket, you can still watch a rocket launch from several locations nearby, outside of the NASA complex, in particular along US Highway 1 between Route 406 and US 50 around Titusville or on the coast:

  • Space View Park on Broad Street and Indian River Avenue by the Indian River in Titusville offers an uninterrupted view of the shuttle launch pads and is about 11 miles away. You can also hear a live audio feed direct from the NASA control room and view the Astronaut Walk of Fame whilst you are waiting.
  • Sand Point Park on A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway is also on the Indian River in Titusville and offers similar views though not quite as good.
  • several homeowners with river frontage will often open their gardens for a $10 to $30 camping/parking fee.
  • in Cocoa Beach along State Road A1A. You will not see the rocket at the point of liftoff but it will be visible shortly afterwards and because of your location it will take on a more curved trajectory as it launches out over the Atlantic. You also have the benefit and amenities of the beach.
  • on the Beeline Expressway (State Road 528) where it crosses the Indian River and Banana River.
  • at the 1200-foot launch viewing pier at Jetty Park just south of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This location is the best location for watching a rocket launch (Atlas or Delta) from the more southerly launch pads
  • Port Canaveral on Route 401
  • Playalinda Beach which is part of the Canaveral National Seashore (not open 24 hours, separate fee)
  • and at many of the other beaches both north and south of the launch complex

Be aware that you may not hear the rocket engines if you are watching from more than a few miles away. Of course the bigger the rocket, the more chance of hearing it.

On a clear day, you can even see the launch from as far away as Orlando.

Space Shuttle Launches

Watching a space shuttle launch in Florida is an amazing experience. Words cannot describe the anticipation and then the sights and sounds of a space shuttle blasting off from the NASA Kennedy Space Center. At the point of engine ignition and liftoff, there is no sound (sound travels a lot slower than light) and then the ground literally shakes.

Whereas arrangements could be made to watch a space shuttle launch in Florida, there were no equivalent arrangements to watch it land. Originally space shuttles used to land at Edwards Air Force Base but they then routinely landed back at the NASA Kennedy Space Center.

With the ending of the shuttle programme, the opportunity to see a shuttle launch has now gone but you can still watch the many NASA and commercial rocket launches from the Cape and launch pad LC-39B will soon reverberate to the sound of the giant NASA SLS rocket.

If you had happened to be around when a space shuttle was coming back to Earth, then you may well have heard a double sonic boom as it returned Earthwards.

Having watched the launch of the Columbia/STS-83 mission in 1997, it was then cut short because of fuel problems and we heard the double sonic boom whilst waiting to watch the afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom a few days later when it was forced to make an early return.

Post Launch Activities At Kennedy Space Centre

After witnessing the spectacular sight of a rocket launch (or before the launch), visitors are encouraged to explore the attractions available in the area. These attractions provide educational and entertainment value, enhancing the overall experience of a space launch visit.

Visitor Complex Exhibits

Kennedy Space Center offers a wide range of post-launch activities. After immersing yourself in the Space Shuttle Launch Experience, you can take part in the Astronaut Encounter to learn about space travel from experienced astronauts.

Families can also explore:

  • Rocket Garden: A display of historic rockets that have journeyed to space.
  • Apollo/Saturn V Center: Home to a real Saturn V Moon rocket and artifacts from the Apollo moon missions.
  • Children’s Play Dome: A space-themed playground for younger visitors.

**See also:- **Kennedy Space Center main page | KSC tickets | Upcoming Launch schedule

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