The lights were on as SpaceX began work on preparing Launch Complex 39-A ready for its next crewed mission. Axiom-1 is a private mission to ISS-NL and is set to launch NET April 6, 2022.
On the left, a crane rises over the construction site SpaceX has opened to build a launch pad for Starship, its super-heavy booster currently under development.
Seen April 1, 2022.
As seen from the Bennett Causeway on the Banana River in Cape Canaveral.
The weather was quite iffy until the final hour before liftoff — in fact, there was a tornado warning nearby with heavy rain to start the morning. The skies dried and clouds lifted just enough for Falcon 9 to thread through them and head to space.
As you might guess, photography conditions were not ideal, with flat, dull light, but this photo came out decently enough. Not long after liftoff, more rain came into the area, albeit with less lightning, thunder and high winds.
Later that evening, I was able to see SLC-40 from the sea as the sun was about to set. Again, serendipity gave us a break in the clouds and we were able to see the sun peaking through as it fell towards the horizon. The pad was busy as SpaceX workers began to recycle it post-launch, and it was lit brightly into the night as they continued their tasks.
I get asked this question all this time: what’s the best place for a visitor to the Space Coast to go see a SpaceX crewed launch to the International Space Station?
The Best of the Best Views
The best answer is to plan ahead and buy tickets from the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center, because they will have the closest views on offer: The Apollo / Saturn V Center (see below). They do cost a good bit of money, however: the closest view of the April 4th, 2022 Axiom 1 private mission to ISS is $250 for a ~4.0 mile view.
That’s a lot of money, but if you’re only going to come here once, trust me, it is worth it. You will definitely hear the roar and see the best view of the launch, so think about whether it fits into your budget.
If $250 is beyond what you want to spend, the Visitors Center has cheaper tickets where you view from the Visitors Center grounds itself. It’s 7.5 miles to the launch pad, but you won’t see the rocket until it clears the trees. It’s still really close and you’ll hear the roar and see a lot, so it may be an alternative for you.
Star Fleet Tours
Star Fleet is a commercial tour operator out of the Cape Canaveral Port, and they are without a doubt the best one in town for viewing launches, bar none. That’s not to say the other guys are not good folks or a good value, but Star Fleet is a cut above.
They will give you outstanding views of launches from out on the water, but aren’t as close as the KSC Visitors Center tours because of the exclusion zone that extend from the launch pad and out several miles into the Atlantic.
That doesn’t matter, because you’ll see as much as you’d see anywhere off the base, and you’ll also get to view the launch from angles that very few people ever do.
As it is with the KSCVC, there is a cost associated with them, but it’s well worth the money and the time. Click the link above to view their site and definitely consider them.
(Note: I am not compensated by or represent Star Fleet Tours. This is just my honest opinion of them.)
There are are other choices off of KSC property.
Crewed SpaceX launches are from LC-39A, which is on the north end of Kennedy Space Center. Let’s start with the two I consider to be mistakes. Your mileage may vary, but I think you can get a better look at other spots.
Great Views:
Max Brewer Bridge, Titusville:
his is considered a top-class viewpoint. Get there early and park across the street at the park. Walk to the top of the bridge on the south side. 11.5 miles away, with an elevated viewpoint, you will clearly see ignition and liftoff. You will also be able to see the rocket more clearly as it flies away.
Space View Park, Titusville:
Google Maps Link
12.08 miles away, this is another great viewing area. The park is smaller, with less parking but at 6am there should be little issue getting in and out. Ignition and liftoff is visible.
Rotary Riverfront Park, US1, Titusville:
12.05 miles away, and an excellent place to go see the launch. A bit south of Space View and the Max Brewer Bridge, this park is actually closer to the launch pad and you will be able to see the liftoff. Is on the Indian River and and is an excellent vantage point. There is a small parking lot and road-side parking.
Kennedy Point Park, US1, Titusville:
12.25 miles away. More or less the same as Rotary Park but with a little less parking. Ignition and liftoff is visible.
KARS Park is an area normally reserved for NASA, on-site contractor and military guests and is a great complex for their enjoyment. While you probably don’t qualify to spend the night, you can still view launches from there. KARS is better for SLC-40 and SLC-41 launches, but it also serves as solid secondary choice for launch spectators.
It’s close to 528 (The Beachline), it’s safe and secure and easy to park. They do charge $10 for crewed launches, but that’s per car and that makes things very reasonable.
Check their Facebook page for more information, but I can say that I have seen over 100 launches from here (including Artemis I) and it was a great view every time.
Bennett Causeway – Rocket Launch Viewing Area
The causeway that extends over the Indian and then the Banana Rivers between Cocoa and Cape Canaveral are really good places to watch a launch, albeit at a long way away. You won’t hear the sound of the liftoff for over thirty seconds after ignition, but you will be able to see ignition and Falcon 9 for a good while as it heads to space.
Here’s a view of a launch from LC-39A seen from the Causeway on A1A/528
For this site for viewing launches from LC-39A (or B) I recommend binoculars and for photography, you’ll need a really long zoom lens. If you want to take closer-in photos, cell phones are not that great to take pictures with from this spot, and I recommend at least a 300mm telephoto on a good DSLR or mirrorless. Even then you’ll be cropping in when you look at the shots on your computer later.
Here’s a closer view.
If you are coming in from I-95, go to the exit for the port (the cloverleaf above) and then head back west on A1A (it’s the same road as Florida-528.) Cross the first bridge (views are better there,) and pull off and park. Unless you are getting there super-early, you’ll see cars and tracks (and some campers) and fellow launch-watchers on the shore of the river.
While you wait, you’ll no doubt see pelicans, probably osprey hunting, and other waterbirds. More often than not folks will also enjoy seeing dolphins swimming just off shore. This is a wild area, so beware of wildlife. I’ve never seen an alligator at this site, but your mileage may vary. Just keep your eyes open and remember you’re in a natural area and you won’t have any problems.
Most visitors ask me about these two places the most: Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral and the Cocoa Beach Pier. They’re great spots to visit, but are only okay for crewed launches.
You’ll definitely see the rocket in flight, but they are not what I would consider the best views for KSC-side launches. They’re a little better for launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, but even then, not the best of the best.
(Note: when Blue Origin starts launching New Glenn, Jetty Park will be a prime time spot. Stay tuned.)
Jetty Park Pier:
Views of the launchpad are pretty good, but it is 13 miles to LC-39A from there. More than likely, there will be surf mist between you and the rocket. Since it is flying NE and away from you.
Cocoa Beach Pier:
Google Maps Link
About 15.5 miles from LC-39A. Decent views, but again, you will not see ignition on the launch pad and the rocket will be flying away from you.
One of the best (if not the best) places to see a launch on the Space Coast is from Playalinda Beach on the Canaveral National Seashore. From the first beachside parking lot to the launch pad is only four miles, and generally, one can walk at least another quarter-mile closer on the shoreline for an even better view.
It’s one mile down the beach to the property line between CCNS and Kennedy Space Center, but lately, there have been Park volunteers about 0.25 to 0.5 miles down the beach stopping anyone from walking all the way to the fence. That’s understandable, given security and safety concerns, and the place that they’ve drawn the line in the sand (nearly literally) is plenty close to get great views and awesome sounds of the rocket at it leaves the pad.
Uncrewed Launches Only
One important thing to note is that Playalinda is closed for crewed launches, for obvious reasons. In the event of an emergency requiring activation of the Launch Escape System, the crew could land anywhere nearby, and Playalinda is definitely nearby. That’s a a safety issue on many levels, and it’s simply easier to close the beach than take the risks.
This link will give you the current status of Playalinda. And if you’re not sure, call to doublecheck.
Uncrewed or not, it’s also safe to assume that any launch from LC-39B (the Artemis launch pad) will also result in a beach closure. At 2.5 miles from the first parking area, it is well within the safety zone for people on or off KSC and Artemis launches will result in a closure. Please note that is not an official statement, but I say that based on experiences from previous launches from LC-39B.
Fees Charged
Another thing to remember is that as part of the National Park System, an entrance fee is collected unless you have an annual US Parks Pass. Today, in 2022, that fee is $20 per car. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate.
Walk South Down The Beach
Area 1 is the place to go, if there is parking. If not, park at the lowest numbered Area you can find a spot and then walk down the beach towards Area 1. You will see a lot of people, both on the beach and on the boardwalks that go over the dunes. Generally, there are volunteers that stop people from going all the way down to the fence marking the start of Kennedy Space Center property, for safety reasons.
Note: Area 13 is clothing optional, and if you are going with kids, you may want to skip that place. Remember that what is seen cannot be unseen.
Professional Media Will Be There
The boardwalks are especially popular with launch photographers, and a lot of them are professionals or freelancers who are there to photograph the launch for various news outlets. They are a friendly bunch, but keep in mind that they are working so when it’s close to launch time they’re best left alone.
Afterwards, they’ll again be happy to talk to most anyone, and maybe even give you a peek at what they’ve shot.
The Launch View and Sounds
Look down the beach line and slightly inland and you should be able to see the rocket and the launch tower. Cell phone service at Playalinda is very spotty, so keep an eye on your watch or phone for the expected launch time to come. That will happen without much warning, but when it happens it will be unmistakable.
It takes a 15-20 seconds for the sound to travel from the launch pad to viewers — about five seconds a mile — so you will see the rocket before you hear it. When you do hear it, it will be loud, like close thunder. A Falcon 9 is a powerful rocket, but it is not an earth-shaker like a Saturn V was…those could shake the ground and were deafening. A Falcon 9 is more like a storm, but it is definitely a loud sound.
Here’s a video I made with a GoPro of a Playalinda launch. The rocket is louder than you hear and seems to be a little closer than the video shows. Still, it shows what the sights and sounds are pretty accurately:
On a clear day, you will be able to see all the way up to staging, when the first stage is done and separates from the rocket. On a really clear day you’ll be able to watch the second stage for some time. Keep in mind it is only about an eight minute trip to orbit, and that the rocket is travelling away from you and quickly going thousands of miles an hour. (Orbital speed is 17,500 miles per hour.) It is still an incredible sight and one that you likely won’t forget for a very long time.
See also: Spots To View A Crewed SpaceX Launch on the Space Coast
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 3, 2022 from LC-39A. The Starlink 4-9 mission lofted 47 Starlink broadband satellites to orbit.
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