Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
NASA is targeting a two-hour window Tuesday opening at 5:16 PM EDT, June 25, for the launch of the weather satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A. The payload for this mission is the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) GOES-U weather satellite, an advanced weather forecasting satellite.
The weather could be a significant concern for any launch attempt tomorrow or Wednesday as storms are expected to form in the Space Coast area. The 45th Weather Squadron is giving a pessimistic forecast of only a 30% chance of acceptable weather for launch, with a 70% chance of weather causing a launch delay.
B1087 (Center Core), B1086 and B1072 (RTLS Side Cores) are all brand new boosters set to debut on this launch. B1086 and B1072 will return and land at SpaceX’s landing zone at Cape Canaveral, and B1087 will have a short life — it will be expended as part of the mission plan. As such, sonic booms will be heard throughout the Space Coast region as the boosters herald their return to land.
Should the launch be delayed for weather-related or technical reasons, the backup window is Wednesday, June 26, at the same time as Tuesday.
At A Glance
Mission: GOES-U
Date: NET June 24, 2024
Launch Window: 05:16 PM EDT – 07:16 PM EDT*
Organization: NASA / SpaceX
Rocket: Falcon Heavy Launch
Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Payload: GOES-U Weather satellite for NOAA
* consult NASA or SpaceX media for the specific target for T-0.
Weather
In their forecast update at 1 PM EDT today, the 45th Weather Squadron states that, “By tomorrow, the ridge axis will be just south of the Spaceport as a surface boundary digs into the Southeastern US, bringing high levels of moisture and light offshore low-level winds before the afternoon sea breeze develops. This set-up will increase afternoon shower and storm chances through most of this week. Both tomorrow and Wednesday, the east coast sea breeze will form and trigger showers/storms in the early to mid-afternoon, before the evening launch window opens.”
That does not sound good, and a delay due to the weather is entirely possible, Still, with a two-hour launch window to work with, mission managers are hopeful that a a period of calm weather will allow the launch to proceed.
Payload
According to NOAA, “GOES-U will provide critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, solar and space data for advanced detection and monitoring of environmental phenomena that threaten the security and well-being of everyone in the Western Hemisphere.”
They add, “GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19 after it reaches geostationary orbit. Following a successful on-orbit checkout of its instruments and systems, NOAA plans to put GOES-19 into operational service, replacing GOES-16 as GOES East. GOES-19 will work in tandem with GOES-18, NOAA’s GOES West satellite. Together, GOES East and GOES West watch over more than half the globe – from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand.”
GOES-U Fact Sheet
More information is available GOES-U Mission Overview.
Trajectory
Eastward.
Launch Viewing In Person
Watching Online
SpaceCoastLaunchCalendar.com will have a livestream of the launch if you’re not able to watch the launch in person: Livestream
NASA will have a livestream of the launch on their website: NASA GOES-U
Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link
For official updates regarding launch times, SpaceX.com and or NASA is the best source of information.
Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.
Next Space Launch an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play.
Launch Viewing: In Person
Today’s launch is from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The Max Brewer Bridge and northern park on Washington Avenue (US1) in Titusville are your best bets.
- Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville
- Kennedy Point Park in Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park in Titusville
Restaurants With Good Launch Views
Given the early hours of the launch window (7:30AM – 11:30AM EDT) these restaurants may not be open for launch viewing. Later in the day, all three may well be, so if you are interested, be sure to call ahead to make sure they’ll be ready to serve you.
- The Space Bar ($$$) – atop the Courtyard Marriott near Kennedy Parkway
- New York New York ($$) – on the Indian River with an outdoor seating area. Is family-friendly.
- Shiloh’s ($$$) — located on the Indian River with an outdoor deck overlooking KSC/CCSFS
Indirect Views
There are several excellent viewing spots for launches that offer indirect views — meaning you won’t see the rocket until it clears obstructions such as trees, buildings, even a storm berm in one case.
Further away, but really nice views.
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral
Fee required, much be purchased in advance: Port Canaveral Store
It’s very possible to see a cruise ship coming or going.
The pier especially has great views.
Parking fees (probably). Pay with your smartphone on the parking app. There are signs everywhere telling you how.
Playalinda Beach
Playalinda Beach out on the Cape Canaveral National Seashore may be open to spectators, that is, if KSC Security and the National Park Service allow viewers for the launch. This varies launch to launch.
That’s by no means a certainty, however, and it would be very wise to call ahead before making the trip out.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore Phone: 386 428-3384 x0
If you are going to Playalinda, and if it is open, remember:
- Get there at least two hours early, or better, earlier than that. Lines are long at the entry gate and they will only allow as many spectator vehicles as there are parking space available.
- If the launch L-0 time is moved to after 8PM, you will have to leave Playalinda, as the National Park Service is very strict about closing hours.
- Cape Canaveral National Seashore has a fee to get in and cash is not accepted. Debit and credit cards are okay, or if you have one of the National Park Service’s passes for the Seashore or the National Parks, that will work as well.
- Cellphone service is spotty at best and often non-existant at Playalinda. Don’t count on your cellphone to keep up with the launch, because you might get signal or you might not.
- You are not allowed to view from the pullouts on Beach Road. They will have stanchions blocking them. You’ll have to park and you’ll have to go to the beach.
- Refreshments are not available. There are no stores at Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and that means you’ll need to bring drinks and food if you want any while you’re there.
- Rangers will keep you back a certain distance from the launch area. If the beach is open, you’ll still not be able to go all the way down to the fence that demarcates the normal security zone. There’s a line that spectators can’t go past somewhat north of the fence. That’s for safety and security.
Also, as part of both Kennedy Space Center and the US Park system, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is under federal jurisdiction and that means if you happen to get a ticket out there, you’ll be heading to federal court. Best thing to do is strictly obey traffic laws. Don’t speed!