Starship tower under construction in 2022 Photo: Charles Boyer
Things are hopping over at Kennedy Space Center. The Artemis II crew is preparing for humanity’s first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years, and Crew-12 awaits its turn to rotate astronauts aboard the International Space Station. That’s keeping NASA and its contracting partners working hard and tightly focused on the missions.
At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration is on the verge of completing its environmental review of SpaceX’s plan to launch Starship from Launch Complex 39A.
The FAA’s first estimated completion date for the Final Environmental Impact Statement is January 30, 2026 — today — according to the federal permitting dashboard. While it may not be released today, it does indicate that the document and the Record of Decision will be released soon.
What’s At Stake
SpaceX could receive regulatory clearance to operate the world’s most powerful rocket from the same complex where Apollo 11 and dozens of Space Shuttle missions got their starts.
None of those historic missions ever concluded at LC-39A, however, and that’s part of what SpaceX is planning to do fairly regularly at KSC: launching Starship Heavy and landing Starship missions there after their job in space has been completed. Their proposal kicked off the process whose middle act could conclude any day now.
Where We Are In The Process
SpaceX Starship LC-39A Approval Milestones
SpaceX Starship Approval Milestones: LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center
FAA Environmental Impact Statement & Launch License Process
Milestone
Date
Status
Details
Notice of Intent Published FAA
May 10, 2024
Complete
FAA initiated the EIS process via Federal Register publication
Public Scoping Period FAA
May–June 2024
Complete
Public input gathered on scope of environmental review; ended June 24, 2024
Draft EIS Released FAA
August 4, 2025
Complete
Draft EIS published for up to 44 Starship launches and 44 landings per year
Draft EIS Public Comment Period FAA
Aug 4–Sept 29, 2025
Complete
Public hearings held at KSC (Aug 26), Cape Canaveral (Aug 28), and virtually (Sept 3)
Final EIS Publication FAA
Q1 2026 (expected)
Pending
FAA will address all public comments and issue the Final EIS
Record of Decision (ROD) FAA
~Jan 30, 2026 (est.)
Pending
FAA issues ROD with decision, mitigations, and monitoring requirements
Per permits.performance.gov estimated completion date
Vehicle Operator License Issuance FAA
After ROD
Upcoming
New or modified commercial launch license for Starship-Super Heavy operations at LC-39A
Infrastructure Completion SpaceX
Mid-2026 (projected)
Upcoming
Launch mount (installed Nov 2025), tank farm, deluge system, chopstick upgrades, service structure outfitting
First Starship Launch from LC-39A SpaceX
2026 (targeted)
Upcoming
Initial vehicles will be transported from Starbase, Texas via barge
Lead Agency: FAA |
Cooperating Agencies: NASA, Dept. of the Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service Source: FAA Stakeholder Engagement Portal, Federal Register, permits.performance.gov |
Updated: January 2026
The FAA Isn’t NASA Though…
At Kennedy Space Center, NASA and the FAA have distinct roles. NASA manages the spaceport and leases LC-39A to SpaceX. On the other hand, the FAA has authority over commercial launch licensing, and, as the responsible agency, it must complete an independent environmental review before SpaceX can launch or land Starship from the site.
“While the 2019 Environmental Assessment prepared by NASA provides an analytical baseline, the environmental impacts of these proposed changes to Starship-Super Heavy LC-39A development and operations will be specifically analyzed in this EIS,” the FAA noted in its project documentation.
The scope has changed dramatically since that 2019 assessment. SpaceX now proposes up to 44 Starship launches per year — nearly double the original 24 — along with booster catches at the pad using the company’s signature “chopstick” tower arms, a capability that didn’t exist when NASA issued its original Finding of No Significant Impact.
The FAA released its Draft EIS on August 4, 2025, triggering a public comment period that closed on September 29. The agency held public hearings at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, and online, collecting feedback that must be addressed in the Final EIS before a Record of Decision can be issued.
Now the Final Environmental Impact Statement is on deck, and that could come out any day.
Meanwhile, Back At The Rocket Ranch…
SpaceX hasn’t sat on its hands waiting for regulatory approval. The company has transformed LC-39A over the past year, pivoting from a Starship tower not being worked on to an active construction site steadily advancing toward operational status.
The most visible progress came in November 2025, when SpaceX transported a new orbital launch mount from its Roberts Road manufacturing facility to the pad. The original mount design was scrapped earlier in 2025 in favor of hardware matching the company’s latest configuration at Starbase in Texas.
Other work continues as well — construction of a tank farm to store propellants, outfitting the service structure and more. Clearly, SpaceX expects good news in the EIS and ROD, and given that Starship is an integral part of Project Artemis, it’s fair to say that those two legal hurdles are effectively fait accompli, and that when they are released, they will be positive for this ongoing project.
If you are visiting Florida and want to create a great launch photograph but the launch is at night, take a look at this relatively simple technique that will yield some awesome results: a launch streak shot.
Launch streaks are not difficult for nearly any photographer to create, and it doesn’t take any specialized equipment other than a wide-angle lens and a relatively inexpensive shutter release cable used to keep the shutter of your camera open for several minutes during the flight of the rocket. You’ll also need a tripod that can support the camera as well.
Below is a basic procedure and you too can create a memorable photo that will be one that you keep for years.
Here’s what you need:
Equipment Checklist
Camera
DSLR, mirrorless, or film camera
Battery
Fully charged — a dead battery mid-exposure is no fun at all
Lens
Wide-angle, preferably 24mm or less. A 35mm may work if you’re farther from the pad, but 24mm is best within 20 miles of the launch site.
Tripod
Sturdy tripod
Remote
Locking shutter release cable
Mindset
Patience
That’s it. The release cable can be purchased on Amazon for less than $50 for most major brands, and for some cameras, the price is a lot less than that: I’ve used a $15 Nikon cable for years with different cameras.
Where To Go?
That’s up to you, and I have seen great launch streak shots taken from Orlando, Daytona Beach, even West Palm Beach and Tampa.
If you are visiting the theme parks in Orlando, I’d recommend making a short trip east and going to one of the local parks on US-1 north in Titusville, or perhaps on the beaches on Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach. There are other sites, such as KARS Park (limited hours, small admission fee) or the Banana River Bridge on FL-528W, but for the purposes of this article, let’s assume that you’re going to Titusville. It’s easy to get to, easy to get in and out of, is safe and has plenty of police nearby to guide traffic and ensure public safety.
You’ll need a clear view of the horizon and sky to to the general direction of the launch itself. For example, most SpaceX Falcon 9 launches carrying Starlink satellites are to the southeast, while every launch towards the International Space Station are in the opposite direction — to the northeast. If the launch is carrying satellites to geo-stationary orbit, it’s a safe bet that the rocket will fly close to due east from the launch pad.
First things first: check the weather. Check the launch status. See below for more information on how to do that. Rockets don’t launch in thunderstorms or steady rain, and winds cancel launches almost as often as rain. Thunderstorm clouds (anvil clouds) near the launch pad? Scrub. Know before you go is the key phrase to remember here. And don’t forget: things change fast with Florida weather.
Assuming everything is still a “go” my personal recommendation is to arrive at your selected viewing location at least an hour in advance – and it is better to get there before that if you can swing it. You’ll want plenty of time to park, orient yourself to the launch pad, and set up your gear and check it twice. I also like to take a quick test shot before liftoff to ensure I’m ready to go and to check my composition.
The one-hour time buffer will work for a regular launch like a SpaceX Starlink mission. If it is a major launch like Artemis II, you’ll want to be in place at least 2-4 hours in advance. Tune in to local news for up-to-the-minute information.
A Word About Scrubs and Delays
I’ve been to launches that were scrubbed with a minute or less to go and a couple after ignition of the engines. Delays of an hour or more are also possible, especially when the weather is so-so. Be aware of that, and be ready for it to happen and hope it doesn’t.
Rocket launches are peculiar beasts, and they can be delayed or postponed at any time for any reason.
On the other hand, I have waited for launches that I was 100% certain would be called off thanks to weather. Then at the last minute, things were perfect and the rocket flew off the pad at the time that was planned days in advance. You just never know.
How Do I Get Updates While I Wait?
As long as you have a good signal on your cell phone (another reason I recommend Titusville), you should be able to keep up with the launch status relatively easily. That’s important to do, because as I mention above, rocket launches are quite often delayed or scrubbed (canceled for the day) if everything is not right.
The weather has to be within acceptable limits, the rocket itself has to be in fully working order, and, on top of that, the areas at sea and in the air along the rocket’s flight path have to be clear. In short, thousands of different things have to go right for a rocket to launch, but only one thing has to not be right for the launch to be scrubbed or delayed.
No one will remember a scrub or a delay, but no one will ever forget a launch failure.
It’s free to use, is accurate, and has really nice features like a countdown clock that comes in handy while I’m waiting to see watch liftoff. They have apps for both Android and Apple, as well as a website online that has the same information. They don’t charge for access, though the site and apps are ad-supported.
If you are a Facebook user, Space Launch Schedule also has an active user group that’s a good source of information and inspiration. Later on, you can share your photo(s) there as well.
This site is part of the NASA Spaceflight but it is largely fed by the same information service as Space Launch Schedule. The real difference is that Next Spaceflight can be quicker to update in terms of changing times or even scrubs — that’s because they have the Spaceflight Now team providing information. That’s not to say Space Launch Schedule is not timely, it is, but I think Next Spaceflight is a little quicker.
Space Launch Schedule has a very accurate countdown clock for each launch. Also, check out their “Watch In Person” link — they have some great tips.
Spaceflight Now is a space news website and news service that also provides launch coverage on YouTube. They start about an hour before liftoff, and are an excellent source for up-to-the-minute status updates. SFN offers a countdown clock, views of the rocket, and informative commentary from some of the best in launch coverage.
A screen capture of Spaceflight Now’s launch feed from Starlink 6-24. The rocket and the countdown clock are clearly visible.
NOTE: Because it literally takes time for a live signal to travel from the Cape to YouTube’s servers and then back down to your phone, SFN’s video feed can be delayed anywhere from six to thirty seconds when you see it. That’s not any editorial decision by them, it’s simply a matter of physics. Refer to the Space Launch Schedule countdown clock for the most accurate time to liftoff.
There are other great sources of information, but for simplicity’s sake, I will only mention the few websites above. Between them, you’ll know what you need to know when you need to know it, and that’s what counts the most. I recommend you explore both Spaceflight Now and the scheduling sites before heading to the launch site.
Setting Up For The Photograph
Once you arrive at the launch viewing site choose where you will place your camera. I recommend being close to the water’s edge if you are on the banks of the Indian or Banana River, and adding some foreground interest to give your photograph a sense of place. There are a lot of piers on the Indian River, for example. If you can’t find an object to put in the foreground, no worries, you’ll still get a great shot. One thing you’ll want to make sure of: make sure your tripod is stable and hard to bump accidentally.
IMPORTANT NOTE: be aware of wildlife in or near the water. If you see or hear an alligator, find another spot. Don’t approach it and don’t disturb it.
Find the launch pad, if you can see it. (Some great streak shots don’t show the launch pad.) This can be tricky, and if you’re not sure and someone is nearby, ask them. Worst case, use Google Maps to orient yourself so that you’re aiming in the right direction.
My setup for a launch in the summer of 2023. One camera was used for closeup still photos, one for a streak shot, and the GoPro close to the ground was used for an animated streak shot.
This is where knowing the trajectory is critical: if the launch is to the south, you’ll want the launch pad on the left side of the frame of your planned photo. The rocket will travel left to right if you’re looking to the east.
On the other hand, if the mission is towards the International Space Station, the rocket will be traveling right to left, so orient the launch pad to the right of your frame. If you’re at an equatorial launch (one to the due east from the pad) you’ll want to center the pad in your frame.
I tend to leave as much sky in the composition as I can, that keeps me from missing the top of the arc. This is a risk with longer length lenses.
The Space Launch Schedule website has a link to a flight trajectory plot on Flightclub.io, another launch info site. Here’s one for Starlink showing it will travel to the southeast. If you are facing east, put the launch pad region on the left side of your composition.
Next, shift the camera so the sky is at least 75% of your composition. If you’re close to the launch pad – again, using the example of US1 in Titusville, I recommend making it 85% sky, just to be sure. You can always zoom in and crop later if you like, but you can’t compensate for missing part of the flight path if you’re aimed too low.
Safer is better than sorry, especially if you’ve traveled a very long way to take the photograph.
This is the raw, unedited version of my Starlink 6-24 shot, taken from next to Rotary Park in Titusville. The grass and trees were well-lit by the street-lights on the highway. This was made with a 24mm lens, and you can see that I almost aimed too low to get the whole streak.Here are the settings for the raw photo above. 405 second exposure a ISO 100 and f22. I started the exposure at t-minus two minutes. The aperture was really high because I was quite close to the launch pad and wanted to avoid a blob of light from the initial liftoff sequence.
Camera Settings
Here are the settings I’ve used successfully for a few dozen “streak shots”:
Camera Settings
Mode
MANUAL
ISO
100
Aperture
f/14 – f/22
Shutter
Bulb
Autofocus
OFF — Manually focus to infinity. To confirm focus, shine a light on an object 20–30 yards away and focus on it. Use gaffer’s tape (not duct tape) to lock the focus ring in place.
Artemis II will be one of the brightest rockets you’ll see. Consider decreasing the aperture by another stop or so (f16 or even f18).
Turn off noise reduction or any other in-camera post-processing. I have found with long exposures like a streak shot, my camera can take 4-5 minutes to complete post-processing and that in turn is a chance for a mistake. That being said, I turn it all off in the camera, and if I need to reduce noise, I’ll do it in my photo editor. Also, turn off any VR (vibration reduction) since the camera will be on a tripod.
Consult your camera manual for directions if you’re not sure how to put it in those settings. If you don’t have your camera manual handy, ask ChatGPT.
Focusing may be a bit of a challenge, but I’ve found that I can focus my lens fairly easily by first centering on a bright light off on the horizon and then focusing on it, or using the old trick of illuminating something 30-35 yards away with a flashlight and focusing on that. Either method should set your focus to infinity. Lock it down with gaffer’s tape so you don’t defocus accidentally.
Finally. I’ll carefully adjust my composition to what I am looking for, and finally lock the tripod down so it won’t move at all while the photo is being made.
When To Take The Picture
Take a test picture once you have everything set – probably 4-5 minutes of exposure, at least. This will give you the confidence that you’ve set up everything correctly, and if not, you’ll have a chance to fix it before the launch itself. Given that it’s pretty dark, I often will tilt or level the camera a little bit after my first test shot.
For the launch itself, I will often start the photo a couple of minutes before liftoff. This accomplishes a couple purposes: if anything has gone awry, I have a last chance to fix it. Secondly, and most importantly, I like my streak shots to have a bit of color in the sky. The longer the exposure time, the bluer the sky. If there are stars out, they’ll have longer streaks. If there are clouds up in the sky, they will streak a bit too.
It’s really an artist’s choice, however, if you want a darker sky, wait closer to the liftoff to start your exposure. If you want a brighter sky start earlier. Test shots are informative here, and I can’t recommend creating them enough.
Whenever you decide to start, lock the shutter of your camera open, and don’t disturb it at all. It’s time to watch a rocket launch!
The Launch Itself
Launches are brightest in the first few seconds of flight, because that’s the closest the rocket will be to you and your camera. It’s one of the reasons I recommend a really high aperture like f20 – you’ll have a much better chance for the first part of the streak not to be “blown out” with a huge blob of light. It’s not aesthetically pleasing to me, so I account for it with the narrow aperture.
The closer you are to the launch pad, the higher your aperture needs to be. If you are 10-12 miles, f14 is fine for Falcon 9.
If you are closer, you might want to be at f18 or f22. If you are farther — for example, in Port St. Lucie, f14 is likely your best bet. Use your judgment, and remember that you can fix things up in your photo editor later if it is a little too dark to suit your tastes.
IMPORTANT: If the rocket used for the mission has solid rocket boosters — Artemis II or Vulcan, for example — you may want to decrease the aperture another stop or so (f16 or even f18).
Foreground interest never hurts a composition. I took this at Kennedy Point Park and stood back 25 feet or so to include other spectators. 10mm lens (cropped) ISO 100, f14, 270 seconds
After the launch, the rocket will appear to rise vertically for at least fifteen and perhaps even thirty seconds, depending on your location and the mission profile. Then it will begin to arc over towards the horizon. At some point, perhaps 45 seconds or so, it will reach its apparent apex and then look like it is descending. Don’t worry, it isn’t dropping, you are just seeing an optical illusion because of the Earth’s curve.
If this is your first launch, you might be surprised at how long it take the sound to arrive to you. You’re close to sea level and that means it takes five seconds for sound to travel a mile. It might be 40-50 seconds before you hear any rumble.
Falcon 9, Kennedy Point Park, f16, 300 seconds.
For a SpaceX Falcon 9, the first stage of flight is roughly two and a half minutes. The plume of the rocket will start changing colors a little after two minutes has gone by, and it will be noticeably dimmer than even just a half minute before. It’s truly a beautiful site to behold.
When the rocket stages, there will be a few seconds of darkness from your point of view. Then, you should see the second stage firing up and continuing the mission. It is usually just a little pin-prick of light, but most nights it’s clearly visible.
The dock at Rotary Riverfront Park in Titusville faces directly toward SLC-40. ISO 100, f20, 451 seconds, 10mm lens
This is another point where artist’s choice comes into play: you can stop the exposure pretty any time you like, or you can let it continue until you can’t see anything. Some nights, I’ve been able to follow the rocket’s flame plume almost to orbit – about eight minutes. If its hazy, like most summer nights, the light will disappear closer to staging. Every launch is different.
Unlock the shutter lock on your release cable, and let the camera write the file to the storage card and have a look – you’ll be able to immediately get an idea of your results!
Post-Processing
I’m not going to go too deep into this, other than to say it’s a near certainty that you will want to perfect your image in your favorite image editing software.
Me, I usually decrease the highlights a bit, perhaps increase or decrease the contrast, and just generally tweak the appearance of the final photo. Unless I’ve missed the mark wildly exposure-wise (like the time I forgot to turn off Auto-ISO, oops!) the shot will pretty much speak for itself and won’t need too much finagling to get it where I want it to be.
The most important thing in post-processing is getting your settings, focus and composition right in the camera.
The Bottom Line
It’s not hard to take a streak photo, but it does require you to pay attention in your setup. Take care of that, use a wide angle lens that can capture the whole arc and you should be golden. Have fun!
Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The test ensures the ground systems team is ready to support the crew timeline on launch day. Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
The four astronauts assigned to NASA’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century entered medical isolation on Friday as Kennedy Space Center teams push toward a potential early February launch window.
NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have begun what the agency calls a “health stabilization program”—a precautionary period designed to shield the crew from illness that could scrub their mission. The protocol typically spans 14 days before liftoff, though NASA has yet to announce an official launch date while rocket and spacecraft testing continues.
Preparations Continue At KSC
At Kennedy Space Center, preparations are accelerating around the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B. Ground crews have wrapped up checkouts of mechanical power systems, cryogenic propellant lines, and the rocket’s RS-25 engines.
Beginning Saturday, January 24th, the perimeter around LC-39B will be cleared of non-essential personnel as technicians begin servicing the twin solid rocket boosters as part of the final preparations for SLS and its first crewed flight.
Astros To Come To KSC Late Next Week If All Continues Going Well.
The astronauts are currently quarantining in Houston but will relocate to Kennedy Space Center approximately six days before launch if testing milestones continue on schedule. Upon arrival, they’ll take up residence in the astronaut crew quarters housed within the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building—the same facility that has hosted crews since the Space Shuttle era.
During isolation, the crew will complete mission simulations and medical evaluations while maintaining limited contact with pre-screened family members and colleagues in order to prevent exposure to any illnesses that might prevent them from launching.
Artemis II Milestones – Talk of Titusville
Artemis II Pre-Launch Milestones
Launch window opens Feb. 6, 2026
Milestone
Target Date
Status
Details
Launch Pad Integration
Late Jan. 2026
In Progress
Connect GSE, electrical lines, fuel ducts, and cryo feeds; power up integrated systems
Crew Final Walkdown
Late Jan. 2026
Upcoming
Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen conduct final pad inspection
Wet Dress Rehearsal
NET Feb. 2, 2026
Upcoming
Load 700,000+ gallons of cryogenic propellants; full countdown practice; detanking ops
Flight Readiness Review
Early Feb. 2026
Upcoming
Mission management assesses all systems and commits to official launch date
Launch
NET Feb. 6, 2026
Launch Window
16 launch opportunities through April 30, 2026; first window 9:41 PM EST (02:41 UTC)
Artemis II does not have a launch date on February 6, 2026
In fact, Artemis II does not have a specific launch date at all—not yet—and it will be next month before one can be named. NASA has dates circled for when it could launch the big orange moon rocket, abd February 6th is the first one, but the agency has yet to set a specific L-0 day and time.
So WHEN Will Artemis II Launch?
NASA itself says. “While the Artemis II launch window opens as early as Friday, Feb. 6,” the agency said on January 21, ” the mission management team will assess flight readiness after the wet dress rehearsal across the spacecraft, launch infrastructure, and the crew and operations teams before selecting a launch date.”
As NASA states, they cannot name a launch date until a successful Wet Dress Rehearsal is completed. When is the Wet Dress Rehearsal? It starts no earlier than February 2nd. And after the WDR, there is another critical milestone to pass: a Flight Readiness Review where NASA and its contractors will assess the mission readiness of the rocket, the crew, and the facility. That’s not a minor tick-the-boxes meeting; it’s in-depth and quite thorough.
Artemis II Milestones – Talk of Titusville
Artemis II Pre-Launch Milestones
Launch window opens Feb. 6, 2026
Milestone
Target Date
Status
Details
Launch Pad Integration
Late Jan. 2026
In Progress
Connect GSE, electrical lines, fuel ducts, and cryo feeds; power up integrated systems
Crew Final Walkdown
Late Jan. 2026
Upcoming
Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen conduct final pad inspection
Wet Dress Rehearsal
NET Feb. 2, 2026
Upcoming
Load 700,000+ gallons of cryogenic propellants; full countdown practice; detanking ops
Flight Readiness Review
Early Feb. 2026
Upcoming
Mission management assesses all systems and commits to official launch date
Launch
NET Feb. 6, 2026
Launch Window
16 launch opportunities through April 30, 2026; first window 9:41 PM EST (02:41 UTC)
The Wet Dress Rehearsal is critical because it is a full-scale practice run of the launch of Artemis II, including loading thousands of gallons of liquid propellants (liquid hydrogen and oxygen) into the rocket’s tanks, running through the entire countdown procedure to test all of the systems aboard the 322-foot-tall vehicle, test some scrub scenarios, and then safely draining the fuel, all without actually launching.
These four people – the Artemis II astronauts – are relying on the final phases of preparation and testing to be thoroughly and positively completed before they depart for the Moon. Photo: NASA
The WDR was a problem for Artemis I, mainly because it was the first time new infrastructure at Pad LC-39B had been used, and that on a brand new rocket. Small leaks and other issues created delays and repairs, and as a result, the launch was pushed right on the calendar several times. Eventually, in November 2022, all of the hard work came together and Artemis I lifted off into a brisk Space Coast sky to the delight of all who saw it.
Hopefully these problems won’t repeat themselves with Artemis II. NASA and its contractors learned a lot of lessons with Artemis I and have undoubtedly made changes and improvements to the pad infrastructure and the rocket itself since 2022, when Artemis I flew.
Still, some problems may arise. Some of those problems may necessitate a return to the VAB for repairs. NASA is trying to make that clear. That’s no certainty, and everyone is hoping for a smooth Wet Dress Rehearsal, but keep in mind that it’s not something to take for granted.
While I made it clear that Artemis II is “Awaiting Confirmation,” many people will see the “Window Opens: Friday 02/06/2026 09:41:00 PM” and think the date and time is set in stone. It is not. Not yet.
My personal site is not alone. Perhaps the biggest of scheduling sites, Spacelaunchschedule.com, says the same thing:
All of those sites (mine included) rely on external data feeds for up-to-date launch times. Those feeds often prognosticate based on the best information they have: FAA and USCG filings, NASA or Space Force statements, launch vendor information, and so forth. They try to make it clear when a flight is unconfirmed, meaning “not official,” but sometimes people miss that.
Data providers usually get things right, but keep in mind that they are unofficial sources and may be wrong. Things change fast when it comes to launch plans, and sometimes unofficial sites take a while to catch up to changes. Still, at the end of the day, Spacelaunchschedule.com and Nextspaceflight.com are truly handy tools that give great information. I use both extensively, especially out in the field.
Stay Tuned To NASA
When an official launch date and target time is announced, it will be no mystery. NASA will make it available to the public, and that in turn will set things in motion for America to send four astronauts around the moon.
They have already named the potential windows between now and April, and people can use that for their planning, such as it is.
If you want to book flights and hotels, make sure you can change those reservations for a later time. If you do come to Florida to watch the launch, plan to stay through all of the days in the windows charted above, because scrubs are part and parcel of rocket launches. For example, if indeed NASA chooses February 6, plan to stay through February 11th. If the launch is planned for March 6th, plan to stay through the 11th.
Always remember that millions of things must be right and ready to send any rocket on its way, and only one thing has to be wrong to cause a scrub. And then there is the weather. It’s Florida and the weather changes about as fast as you can change the channels on your TV remote.
So all in all, be patient. Artemis II will launch when it is ready to fly. Not before. What day that is, we can’t say for sure yet. Keep you plans flexible and stay tuned.
The Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s return to lunar exploration with a crewed spacecraft for the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972. NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
The launch window opens on February 6, 2026, with additional opportunities on February 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th. Launch will occur from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center—the same historic pad complex that sent Apollo astronauts to the Moon aboard Apollo 10. After that, LC-39B was reconfigured for the Space Shuttle program, serving as the launch site for 53 missions.
The rocket is at the pad, and the launch windows are as follows:
To date (January 20th) no official launch date or time has been released by NASA. Pad integration is continuing, followed by a Wet Dress Rehearsal (currently no later than February 2) and, finally, a Flight Readiness Review to evaluate the status of all aspects of the mission. If successful, permission to proceed will be granted, and a launch date and time will be officially set.
Keep that word in mind — official — because it trumps all other information.
So, while you still have some time, here’s some information about coming to town and viewing the launch:
Understanding the Launch Location
Most visitors to the Space Coast do not realize that there are actually two space launch centers in Florida: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), operated by NASA, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), a US Space Force base. They adjoin one another and form a contiguous area, but each has its own management and security.
Launch Complex 39B is located at Kennedy Space Center, on the northern end of the Cape. This is important for selecting your viewing location—LC-39B is significantly farther north than SpaceX’s SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which means the optimal viewing spots are different.
One of the most accurate maps there is of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. via: NASA
For Artemis II, the Titusville area offers some of the best public viewing, as it sits almost directly across the Indian River from LC-39B. Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, while still offering views, are considerably farther away.
Proximity to the launch pad is important for seeing ignition and liftoff, but it matters less and less as the rocket climbs into the sky. That’s because it will be rising rapidly, affording everyone an opportunity to see it well. That being said, if you can’t get viewing tickets at the Saturn V Center, don’t fret too much — you’re going to get a great look anywhere in the Space Coast region so long as the skies are clear at launch time.
Best Public Viewing Spots for Artemis II
In a nutshell, here are some good spots to consider:
⚠️ Potential obstruction 💵 Fee, paid parking, or ticket required
Note: Distances are approximate straight-line measures to LC-39B. Access, hours, fees, and closures may change—verify before launch day.
Looking Closer at the Options
Banana Creek Viewing Area (Apollo-Saturn V Center) – ~3.75 miles
UPDATE: Tickets went on sale for KSCVC options on January 23, and sold out in 30 minutes. Check their site, but it may be too late for this option.
This is the viewing location for Artemis II. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers ticketed viewing at the Apollo-Saturn V Center, which sits almost directly across the Banana Creek from LC-39B. This is as close as the general public can get to a launch from LC-39B.
The experience includes bleacher seating, live commentary from NASA, and the unparalleled backdrop of the actual Saturn V rocket displayed inside the center. For a once-in-a-generation mission like Artemis II, this is worth the investment. If you have kids or grandkids who want to go, there are few events that are more exciting than this.
Pricing: Expect premium pricing for Artemis II—this is a historic mission. Tickets are in addition to standard KSCVC admission and parking. Prices for other premium launches have been as high as $250 per person, and it is reasonable to expect KSCVC to have similar price tags on Artemis II ducats.
Important: Read the KSCVC Scrub Policy carefully before purchasing. If the launch scrubs after you’ve used transportation to the viewing site, your ticket may be considered “used.” Contact the Visitor Complex directly with questions, they are the only ones that can give official information about their policies.
Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park (Titusville) – ~10.75 miles
For free public viewing, the Max Brewer Bridge area is arguably the best spot for an LC-39B launch. The elevated bridge provides clear sightlines across the Indian River directly toward the launch pad. Parrish Park at the base of the bridge offers parking and waterfront access.
Arrive extremely early. For a mission of this magnitude, expect the bridge and surrounding areas to fill up many hours—potentially the night before for a daytime launch. The February launch windows are evening opportunities and that may attract even larger crowds. Parking will be in high demand, and the early birds get the best spots.
Stay tuned for news about closures and plans that the city may have for Max Brewer.
Space View Park (Titusville) – ~11.1 miles
Space View Park is one of the most famous public viewing locations on the Space Coast, featuring the Space Walk of Fame and often hosting live NASA audio feeds during launches.
The park sits on the Indian River, with direct views of Kennedy Space Center. It’s across the Max Brewer Bridge from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge entrance to Kennedy Space Center and is one of the closest off-base sites you can view the launch from.
For Artemis II, expect this park to be packed. Arrive as early as possible. The park has restrooms and is walking distance from downtown Titusville restaurants and shops.
Rotary Riverfront Park (Titusville) – ~11.5 miles
A popular local alternative to the more crowded Space View Park, Rotary Riverfront Park offers similar views with typically easier parking. It’s a good choice for families or those who want a slightly less hectic experience, but it too will be crowded for Artemis II.
Kennedy Point Park (Titusville) – ~ 11.75 miles
Located next to a marina, Kennedy Point Park offers a long stretch of riverfront with ample space for tripods and photography equipment. It’s less well-known than Space View Park, making it a good option for those seeking a bit more elbow room.
William J. Manzo Memorial Park – ~12 miles
A hidden gem, this small riverfront park offers unexpectedly great views across the Indian River. Small is the operative word, so it will be a good idea to settle in early here if that’s your plan.
Space Bar (Titusville) – ~12.1 miles
If you want to combine launch viewing with food and drinks, Space Bar’s rooftop offers excellent views toward LC-39B. Check their website for more information as the launch approaches , and expect it to be crowded for Artemis II.
Reservations, if available, would be very wise.
KARS Park – ~14.5 miles
UPDATE: KARS Park announced on February 2nd that they will not be open to the general public for launch viewing of Artemis II.
KARS Park is located on Kennedy Space Center property and offers good views across the water toward LC-39B, even if you are looking along the shoreline a long way. KARS is a great place to see the rocket after it lifts off as it is on the banks of the Banana River with a clear view over Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Entry requires a fee, and you must verify the park’s status before launch day—access to KSC property can be restricted for major launches. Unauthorized entry is trespassing on federal property.
KARS will be crowded, but it will be out ahead of the crowd after the launch.
The Port Canaveral viewing spots—including SR-528 pull-offs and Jetty Park—are farther from LC-39B than from the Cape Canaveral launch pads. You’ll still see the launch clearly, but the experience will be much less dramatic than viewing from Titusville.
Jetty Park remains a good family-friendly option with beach access, a pier, and amenities. Just be aware that cruise ships or port infrastructure can occasionally obstruct views. That’s not as likely for a night launch in February as it might be for day launches in later windows.
Cocoa Beach – ~20+ miles
Alan Shepard Park and Cocoa Beach Pier offer views of the launch, but at 20 miles distance, the rocket will appear smaller. These locations are better suited for casual viewing than for diehard space fans who want to be in the middle of the action.
Tips for Artemis II Viewing
Arrive early—very early. This is the first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years. Public interest will be enormous. For popular locations like Space View Park and Max Brewer Bridge, consider arriving the night before for a morning launch, or at least 4-6 hours early.
Check the launch time. The February 2026 window includes several potential dates. NASA will confirm the actual launch date after the wet dress rehearsal (scheduled for no later than February 2). Monitor NASA’s Artemis blog for updates.
Sound travels slowly, about 5 miles per second. At 7 miles, expect the sound to reach you about 35 seconds after liftoff. At 15 umiles, it’s over a minute. Be patient—the rumble is worth the wait.
Have a well-charged smartphone to keep up with the status of the launch. Social media sites from official sources can be invaluable, as are livestreams on Youtube. NASA, Spaceflight Now and NASA Spaceflight are three of the best. NASA’s stream is, of course, the official one.
Bring essentials: Chairs, sunscreen (even in February), water, snacks, and binoculars. A camera with a telephoto lens will help capture the rocket as it climbs*. You won’t need the chairs if you have tickets to view at Kennedy Space Center, nor will you need water and snacks because they will be nearby.
SLS is loud. The Space Launch System generates 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff—more than the venerable Saturn V. Even from Titusville, you’re going to feel its low frequency rumbles deep in your chest. Some say it is ground-shaking, but that’s apocryphal except for viewers at the Saturn V Center.
Car Alarms Get Set Off By Launches. Don’t be surprised if it’s yours.
Plan for a lot of traffic leaving: build in time to get out of the viewing areas after the launch. Traffic will be bad everywhere. It’s simply a part of the viewing experience.
* I recommend NOT trying to photograph the launch, as watching it is a visceral experience not to be missed. Buy one of the prints that will be for sale later.
What You’ll Witness
Artemis II will send four astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have ever traveled. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will loop around the Moon before returning to Earth at approximately 25,000 mph—the fastest any humans have ever reentered Earth’s atmosphere.
Victor Glover will become the first person of color to travel to the Moon. Christina Koch will become the first woman. Jeremy Hansen will become the first non-American. All of them might end up as the farthest-traveling crew to date.
Artemis II crew. Photo: NASA
Standing on the shores of the Indian River or the sands of Cocoa Beach, you’ll watch the 322-foot-tall rocket rise on twin pillars of flame from the launch pad. LC-39B has been used in the past for Saturn V Apollo missions as well as Space Shuttle missions.
The ground won’t shake from 7 miles away—that’s a myth—but the deep rumble of those solid rocket boosters rolling across the water is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Artemis II on January 17, 2026 as it exits the VAB at KSC. Photo: Charles Boyer
After more than 50 years since the last Apollo mission, NASA is preparing to send astronauts back to the Moon. Artemis II, targeted for launch no earlier than February 6, 2026, will mark humanity’s first crewed journey to lunar orbit since 1972. The 10-day mission will carry four astronauts around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Pad LC-39B from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch (mission specialist), along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission represents several historic firsts: Glover will become the first person of color to travel to deep space, Koch will be the first woman to venture beyond low Earth orbit, and Hansen will be the first non-American to journey to the Moon. There is also the possibility that the Artemis II crew will set a new record for the furthest humans away from Earth, but that is dependent on several different mission factors and has yet to be determined.
Getting Here
The Space Coast, and Kennedy Space Center is roughly fifty miles east of Orlando, Florida.
Flight options include Orlando, Melbourne, Florida and Sanford, Florida. Most people use Orlando.
Driving is straightforward: from the north or south of KSC, I-95 is the best way to get here. From Orlando and points west, FL-528, sometimes called “The Beachline” is the fastest route.
Launch Viewing at Kennedy Space Center
The SLS rocket completed its rollout to Launch Pad 39B on January 17, 2026. NASA is targeting a launch window that opens February 6, 2026, with backup opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11. Additional launch windows are available in March (6, 7, 8, 9, and 11) and April (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) if needed.
Important: Standard daily admission tickets and annual passes will NOT be valid for Artemis II launch viewing. Special launch viewing packages are required and typically include access for two launch attempt dates, a 30-day return visit to the Visitor Complex, and commemorative items.
For the latest information on launch viewing ticket availability, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex website and sign up for email alerts. Viewing locations include the Atlantis North Lawn and the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Banana Creek, which offers views across the water toward Launch Pad 39B.
The Space Coast offers accommodations ranging from beachfront resorts to budget-friendly options near I-95. Book early for launch events, as hotels fill quickly.
Titusville
Titusville is the closest community to Kennedy Space Center and offers excellent views of launches from along the Indian River. The city is home to Space View Park, a popular free launch viewing location.
Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center – Features The Space Bar, a rooftop bar with spectacular views of the Kennedy Space Center launch pads. Space-themed rooms, resort-style pool, and on-site dining.
Hyatt Place Titusville / Kennedy Space Center– The closest hotel to the space center with spacious family-friendly rooms, some featuring launch views. Near the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame.
Holiday Inn Titusville – Kennedy Space Center – Features The Local Kitchen & Tap restaurant, outdoor pool, and 24-hour fitness center. Pet-friendly with on-site meeting facilities.
Budget options include the Comfort Suites Titusville, Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center, and Days Inn by Wyndham Titusville Kennedy Space Center, all offering free breakfast and easy I-95 access. Some are better than others, and in all cases, paying careful attention to reviews is a wise idea.
Port St. John
Port St. John is a residential community located just south of Titusville, offering a quieter alternative with easy access to Kennedy Space Center. While the community has limited hotel options within its borders, nearby hotels in Titusville (about 3 miles north) and Cocoa (about 5 miles south) provide convenient accommodations.
The Courtyard by Marriott Titusville and Fairfield Inn & Suites Titusville are among the closest major hotels to Port St. John.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is Florida’s quintessential surf town, offering oceanfront accommodations, the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier, and a vibrant dining and entertainment scene. It’s approximately 20 minutes from Kennedy Space Center.
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront – Steps from the beach and minutes from Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Beautiful ocean views from most rooms, on-site dining, and pool.
Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort – Luxurious two-bedroom suites with direct beach access. Features the Wakulla Water Play Experience with lazy river, tiki bar, and complimentary shuttle to Cocoa Beach Pier. Pet-friendly.
The Inn at Cocoa Beach – Consistently rated #1 on TripAdvisor for Cocoa Beach. This 50-room oceanfront boutique hotel offers complimentary breakfast, beach chairs and umbrellas, and an honor bar. Adults-only atmosphere.
Beachside Hotel & Suites Cocoa Beach – Port Canaveral – Features a lazy river pool, Duck Dive poolside bar, and retro Florida vibe. Free bike and beach rentals. Popular for pre-cruise stays with Park N Cruise packages available. Pet-friendly.
Additional options include Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral, and Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach.
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral sits adjacent to Port Canaveral and offers convenient access to both cruise terminals and Kennedy Space Center. Many hotels here cater to cruise passengers and space enthusiasts alike.
Hyatt Place Cape Canaveral – Features rooftop Altitude360 bar with 360-degree views perfect for watching rocket launches. Modern rooms, outdoor pool, and The Placery restaurant. Pet-friendly with treats at check-in.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach – All-suite hotel with fully equipped kitchens, free hot breakfast, and complimentary Wednesday evening social. One mile from cruise ports and close to Kennedy Space Center. Features tiki bar and Peloton bikes.
SpringHill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach– All-suite hotel with separate sleep, work, and relaxation areas. Complimentary breakfast, on-site restaurant, pool, and fire pit. Minutes from Port Canaveral.
Holiday Inn Express Cape Canaveral – Located near Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral with splash zone pool and cabanas. Free hot breakfast. Just 15 miles from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Additional options include Hilton Garden Inn Cape Canaveral, Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Port Canaveral.
Merritt Island
Merritt Island sits between the mainland and the barrier islands, offering Indian River views and proximity to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Vacation rentals – Many visitors opt for vacation rental homes on Merritt Island, which can offer river access and private launch viewing from docks and yards.
South Cocoa Beach
The southern end of Cocoa Beach provides a quieter beach atmosphere while still offering easy access to Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.
South Beach Inn– A charming beachfront option with a relaxed atmosphere. Pet-friendly with oceanfront rooms available.
Beachside Hotel & Suites– Located close to Patrick Space Force Base, offering a lazy river pool and convenient beach access. Great for families.
Satellite Beach
Just on the other side of Patrick Space Force Base, Satellite Beach is a quiet community with some decent restaurants and beaches. The area is not a resort area like Cocoa Beach, but it does have one good option for travelers: Paradise Beach Club Rentals.
Indialantic
Located south of Melbourne Beach, Indialantic offers a quieter beach experience. It’s farther from Kennedy Space Center (about 45 minutes) but provides a more relaxed atmosphere.
Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront – A full-service oceanfront resort with multiple restaurants, pools, and spa services. Excellent for those who want to combine launch viewing with a beach resort experience.
Tuckaway Shores Resort– Boutique beachfront resort with a laid-back vibe and direct beach access.
Windemere Inn by the Sea– A bed-and-breakfast style inn right on the beach, offering a more intimate experience.
Where to Eat
The Space Coast offers diverse dining options, from waterfront seafood to Southern soul food. Here are some local favorites across the region, but don’t be afraid to explore the many other options — there are just too many good restaurants to name in a single article.
That said, in no particular order of preference:
Titusville
Playalinda Brewing Company – Brix Project (5220 S Washington Ave) – A 16,000-square-foot craft brewery and restaurant in a renovated lumberyard with 20 rotating taps, wood-fired grill, and beer garden. Creative elevated pub fare from Executive Chef Justin Medina pairs perfectly with award-winning craft beers. Outdoor patio is pet-friendly. Weekend brunch, Tuesday trivia, and live music events.
Loyd Have Mercy (3434 S Washington Ave) – Family-owned soul food restaurant serving homestyle Southern fare since 2013. Known for fried chicken with mac & cheese, BBQ meatloaf, collard greens, and sweet potato cake. Owner Loyd creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere with occasional live jazz. Lunch and dinner with catering available. Closed Mondays.
New York New York (5401 Riveredge Dr) – Italian-American dining with views across the Indian River toward Kennedy Space Center. A local favorite for watching launches from the restaurant. Don’t go here expecting fancy — it’s not, and that’s the way the locals like it. Don’t be put off by the weathered facade either – the food is great, the staff helpful and locals are friendly.
El Leoncito (4280 S Washington Ave) – Family-owned Mexican and Cuban restaurant serving the community for over 18 years. Features a patio overlooking the Indian River with views toward the space center. Jeff Bezos has eaten here, as have more astronauts than you can count. Take some time to look at the photos on the wall, you will be surprised at the sheer number of VIPs and celebrities who’ve eaten here.
Port Canaveral
Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill (610 Glen Cheek Dr) – Waterfront dining with views of cruise ships and the Canaveral Barge Canal. Known for fresh seafood, Caribbean-influenced dishes, and a laid-back tiki bar atmosphere. Their outdoor deck offers excellent views for rocket launches. Live music most evenings.
Gator’s Dockside(683 Dave Nisbet Dr) Waterfront dining across the port from SpaceX’s wharf where it unloads Falcon 9 boosters and fairings. The food is good, staff is friendly and this place is a go-to for a lot of locals.
Cocoa Beach
Coconuts on the Beach (2 Minutemen Cswy) – Iconic oceanfront bar and restaurant right on the sand in downtown Cocoa Beach. Fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and live music with stunning Atlantic views. Try the coconut crusted shrimp or fresh catch of the day. Tiki huts, full bar, and legendary sunset vibes make this a must-visit for any Space Coast trip. First come, first served – no reservations.
The Tiny Turtle (249 Minutemen Cswy) – Award-winning Caribbean fusion restaurant in the heart of downtown Cocoa Beach. Chef Moises Correa brings Puerto Rican heritage to creative dishes like island pork tacos, sofrito bowls, and the famous Tripleta sandwich. Recognized as a Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurant for sustainability efforts. Full bar with craft cocktails, outdoor tiki seating, and pet-friendly patio. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4th Street Fillin Station(382 N Orlando Ave) – A unique gastropub housed in a converted 1950s gas station. Known for creative craft beers, elevated bar food, and homemade ice cream. The retro atmosphere and outdoor seating make it a local favorite.
Planning Tips
Book accommodations early as possible. Hotels fill up quickly for major launches, especially historic missions like Artemis II. Consider booking refundable rates in case of launch delays.
Don’t book until a launch date is announced. Launch dates and times are highly variable and they can and will change often. Rely on official sources for the best information. If you can book and cancel without penalty, things are different, of course, but there have been more than a few folks who booked a vacation around a launch only to learn that the launch date has been changed due to one reason or another.
Possible Artemis II launch dates
Sign up for alerts. Register at kennedyspacecenter.com to receive email notifications about launch-viewing ticket availability.
Have backup plans. Launches can be delayed due to weather or technical issues. Build flexibility into your travel dates if possible. Refer to the launch window chart below for potential launch dates.
Cocoa Village is the historic downtown district of Cocoa, Florida, located along the Indian River. It features unique shopping, restaurants and even a pirate museum that make a visit well worth the time.
There may be other launches: The Eastern Range is a very busy place, with over 100 launches per year. Most of those are SpaceX flights, and they make for remarkable viewing, especially if you’ve never seen a launch. Refer to Upcoming Florida Launches for more information.
Arrive early on launch day. Traffic will be heavy, and you’ll want to secure your viewing spot well in advance of the scheduled launch time. “Well in advance” means hours, not minutes, so be sure to have what you need to get you through the wait: a cellphone for keeping up with launch news, bug spray, chairs, refreshments and the like.
The combined Mobile Launch Platform and SLS rocket moving towards LC-39B on Saturday, January 17, 2026 Photo: Charles Boyer
SLS began its slow and deliberate journey to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehical Assembly Building (VAB) early Saturday morning at Kennedy Space Center, marking a major milestone in the agency’s quest to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.
The 322-foot-tall rocket emerged from the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:04 a.m. EST, carried atop Crawler-Transporter 2 for the four-mile trek to the historic launch complex. The combined stack — rocket, Orion capsule, and mobile launcher — weighs approximately 11 million pounds and is traveling at a top speed of just under one mile per hour, with the journey expected to take between eight and twelve hours. At the time of this writing, that journey is still underway and should conclude late this afternoon or early this evening.
Artemis II reflecting on the Turn Basin at Kennedy Space Center on January 17, 2026. Photo: Charles Boyer
Hundreds of space center workers, family members, and guests gathered along the crawlerway to witness the spectacle as the towering white rocket inched past against a clear Florida sky. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the four Artemis II astronauts were on hand to mark the occasion.
“Wow. LETS GO!!!” Commander Reid Wiseman posted on X alongside a photo of the rocket moving out of the VAB. In a subsequent post, he called the SLS and Orion “engineering art.”
Once the rocket reaches Launch Pad 39B, teams will immediately begin connecting ground support equipment, including electrical lines, environmental control system ducts, and cryogenic propellant feeds. Engineers will then power up the integrated systems for the first time to verify everything functions properly with the mobile launcher and pad infrastructure.
A wet dress rehearsal is scheduled for late January or early February. During this critical test, ground crews will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the rocket’s tanks and conduct multiple countdown sequences, including several holds and recycles in the final minutes to validate launch procedures.
Closeup of Artemis II on Saturday, JAnuary 17, 2026. Photo: Charles Boyer
Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said a February launch remains possible but emphasized that the timeline depends on the outcome of upcoming testing. “We need to get through wet dress,” she said during a pre-rollout briefing yesterday.
NASA’s launch window opens February 6, with additional opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11. Due to the orbital mechanics governing the mission’s trajectory to the Moon, only about one week of launch opportunities exists each month, followed by roughly three weeks without viable windows.
The Artemis II rollout is scheduled to begin no earlier than 7 AM ET NASA tomorrow (Saturday, January 17). The four-mile journey from the VAB to Launch Pad 39B should take between 8-12 hours at about one mile per hour, so you’ll have a long window to get a glimpse of the proceedings as they happen.
Best Places To Watch
Playalinda Beachwill be ideal since it’s the closest public land to both the VAB and Pad 39B (as close as 3.6 miles to 39B from the parking lots). Lot 1 (the southermost) gives you the best angle toward the crawlerway route.
While the National Park Service has not announced any specific closures related to the rollout, it would be a good idea to call ahead to confirm that Playalinda is open and has not reached capacity. That’s when all the parking lots are full, and if it reaches that level of attendance, new entrants are denied. Also, keep in mind that an entrance fee is required. The best way to pay for that is to visit the NPS website here.
In Titusville
The Titusville waterfront on the Indian River is another great place to see Artemis II emerging and then heading towards LC-39B. The parks are free, there’s plenty of parking, with food and other options nearby.
Space View Park – Free, always open, and directly across the water with views of both the VAB and 39B
Max Brewer Bridge itself offers an elevated perspective if you can access it on foot (often closed to traffic for launches, but rollouts may be different).
Rotary Riverfront Park – a favorite for launch viewers, this easy-in, easy-out location off of US-1 will be a great spot to see Artemis II.
William J. Manzo Memorial Park one of Titusville’s lesser known parks, this location has a great view across the river to the VAB and LC-39B.
KSC Visitor Complex– They don’t appear to be offering special rollout viewing packages, and the VAB obstructs direct sightlines from many spots there anyway, so later in the day may be the best time to try to view Artemis II.
The Saturn V Center is the closest public facility within the complex grounds, but it is unclear if tour buses will be affected by the rocket move. Assuming everything works out and the public can get to the SVC, it will be a nice day after a cool start, so that may be the best option. Enquire at KSCVC for more information — things change fast around Kennedy Space Center and we do not want to mislead anyone by posting old or incorrect info.
Relax, You’ve Got All Day To See This
Since the rollout is a slow, multi-hour event rather than a blink-and-miss-it launch, you’ve got flexibility. About an hour after rollout begins, the rocket is expected to emerge from the VAB, offering the public its first full look at the United State’s first crewed moon rocket in over fifty years. Arriving around 8 a.m. should let you see it emerge and begin the trek to the launch pad. If you arrive at 10am, that’s fine, the rocket will have traveled only part of the way.
Boeing provided a photo of the location of the new strakes.
When NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket rolls out to Launch Complex 39B this weekend, sharp-eyed observers will notice something new on the core stage: four thin metal fins that weren’t there for Artemis I.
They’re called strakes, and they exist because the rocket’s first flight revealed a problem nobody fully anticipated.
After Artemis I launched in November 2022, Boeing and NASA engineers dug into the flight data and found that the Space Launch System experienced higher-than-expected vibrations near the points where the twin solid rocket boosters attach to the core stage. The culprit turned out to be turbulent airflow swirling through the gap between the boosters and the orange core stage during ascent—an aerodynamic nuisance that needed fixing before astronauts climbed aboard.
A closeup of a new strake. Courtesy: Boeing
The fix itself is elegantly simple. Strakes are fin-like structures commonly used on aircraft to manage airflow, but they’d never been added to the SLS core stage. Boeing’s engineering team ran the numbers through wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamics simulations, then designed four strakes sized and positioned to calm the turbulence and dampen vibrations for Artemis II and all future flights.
Getting them installed on an already-aggressive schedule required some hustle on NASA and Boeing’s part. “We immediately pulled together a team—the best of the best,” said Brandon Burroughs, who led the strake implementation effort. “The team worked around the clock and even through the year-end break. By working closely with NASA and streamlining processes, we did in weeks what would normally be done in years.”
Before drilling a single hole at Kennedy Space Center, technicians practiced the procedure in Huntsville, Alabama. The strakes were ready to install before the core stage was fully stacked on the mobile launcher—a critical bit of timing that avoided the access headaches that would’ve come once the solid rocket boosters were in place.
It’s a small addition with big implications.
Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a roughly 10-day trip around the moon, the first crewed flight beyond Earth orbit in more than half a century. Every improvement to the rocket brings NASA one step closer to landing crews on the lunar surface—and eventually, Mars.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out of High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time to Launch Complex 39B, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASA’s Artemis I flight test, the fully stacked and integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will undergo a wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 39B to verify systems and practice countdown procedures for the first launch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
NASA’s moon rocket is finally hitting the road.
The agency announced that the fully stacked Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will begin their four-mile trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B no earlier than Saturday, January 17, with first motion expected around 7 a.m. ET. The journey aboard Crawler-Transporter 2 will take up to 12 hours.
Artemis II Rollout Details
Artemis II Rollout: VAB to LC-39B
Distance
Approximately 4 miles (6.4 km)
Speed
0.82–1 mph (1.3–1.6 km/h) loaded
Total Time
10–12 hours, depending on conditions and stops
Method
Crawler-Transporter 2 (CT-2), a 6.6-million-pound vehicle
Purpose
Transport the fully assembled rocket from the VAB to Launch Pad 39B for wet dress rehearsal and final launch preparations
Teams have been working around the clock to close out remaining tasks ahead of rollout, though the date could shift if additional time is needed for technical preparations or weather.
The rollout marks the beginning of final integration and testing for what will be the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit in more than 50 years. Once at the pad, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will conduct a final walkdown before launch preparations continue.
A wet dress rehearsal is planned for late January, during which teams will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants and run through countdown procedures. The earliest launch window opens February 6, with additional opportunities on February 7, 8, 10, and 11.
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