- Archived Page

Launch: Viewing the Launch In-person:



Viewing a Launch
All expendable vehicles launched in Central Florida lift off from pads on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station next door to Kennedy Space Center. There are several off-site viewing locations that can be used to view the launch:
  • The Bee Line Expressway, also called State Road 528. The portions of the Bee Line crossing over the Banana River are good vantage points.

  • Jetty Park (407) 783-7111 at Port Canaveral, on the Atlantic Ocean just south of the Cape Canaveral Air Station border. Both Space Shuttle and expendable launch vehicle liftoffs can be viewed from here. There is a minimal admission fee. The park typically closes at 9 p.m. but adjusts its hours to accommodate launch viewing.

  • Off State Road A1A along the Atlantic Ocean on the beach in Cocoa Beach.

  • Along the Indian River on U.S. Highway 1, especially in Titusville.

  • Boaters viewing launches should tune to Channel 17 VHT-FM for instructions from the Coast Guard pertaining to restricted areas. The Coast Guard will patrol those areas in the rivers and offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters may not enter the southern part of Mosquito Lagoon (past the Haulover Canal). However, the Canal, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, will remain open to traffic. Boaters may not set foot on any land that is part of the Kennedy Space Center or the Cape Canaveral Air Station.

Although not an official source of NASA information, the Launch Information Service and Amateur Television System (LISATS) retransmits both NASA audio and video signals for launches. Audio transmissions are at 146.94 Mhz and video is transmitted on amateur television at 421.75 Mhz. LISATS transmissions may be somewhat sporatic, but generally begin about three hours before liftoff and continue through landing. These are not official NASA transmissions and are not subject to NASA oversight or quality standards. NASA does not endorse or otherwise sponsor or support the LISATS and/or its retransmission efforts.

You can visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to view the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launch (see the Visitor Complex Launch Details page for detailed information). No special tickets or reservations are required; viewing this launch is included in the admission price. The Visitor Complex will open at 6:30am on the day of the launch to accommodate those wishing to view the launch.

For additional information about visiting Kennedy Space Center, please view their website: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html

More information about viewing launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center