Watching a Rocket or Shuttle Launch

Watching a space shuttle launch in Florida is a truly memorable occasion. 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 lift off there is no sound (sound travels a lot slower than light) and then the ground literally shakes.

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

Columbia STS-83 launch Columbia/STS-83 launch April 1997, viewed from the causeway

If you happen to be around when a space shuttle is coming back to earth, then you may well hear a double sonic boom as it returns 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.

Watching a launch from inside the Kennedy Space Center

NASA used to offer free passes to watch a space shuttle launch in Florida from the NASA causeway but like Spaceport USA itself, NASA now charges for tickets though if you have contacts within NASA you may still be able to get a pass.

You can watch the launch from the Astronauts Hall of Fame by buying an Astronaut Hall of Fame Launch Viewing ticket (though the view is not that good). For an extra fee you can watch from the roof.

Alternatively you can watch from the Space Shuttle Plaza at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex by buying a normal Maximum Access Launch Viewing ticket.

For a few extra dollars, you can purchase a Launch Viewing and Admission Package which gives you all the facilities offered by the Maximum Access Launch Viewing but with the added bonus that you can watch the launch from the NASA causeway.

This is by far the best option as the causeway offers a clear view of the launch pad; from the other sites, the initial lift-off is obscured by trees.

Watching a launch from outside the Kennedy Space Center

Even if you cannot obtain a pass or buy a ticket, you can still watch a space shuttle launch or rocket launch from a number of 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.
a number of home owners with river frontage will also open their gardens for a $10 to $30 camping/parking fee.
in Cocoa Beach along State Road A1A. You will not see the shuttle at the point of lift off but it will be visible shortly afterwards and because of your location it will take on a more curved trajectory as it launches out of 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.
and 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 17A and 17B which are only 2.9 miles away.