NASA and SpaceX will launch Dragon spacecraft on Falcon 9 rocket to International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center at 4:15 am EDT Monday, April 21, 2025.
Watching a rocket launch on the beach is a total “so Florida,” very Instagram-worthy thing to do.
Though rockets here launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island, Florida, or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, people from Palm Beach County can sometimes see this #SoFlorida phenomenon.
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast could be visible from Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach to Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. When there’s a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there’s an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.
Below is more information on rocket launches from NASA and Cape Canaveral and suggestions on where to watch them from this part of Florida.
For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space.
In Florida, we can best see a rocket launch in person if you’re anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). However, people in Jacksonville, far north of Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach, far south of Cape Canaveral, have posted rocket launch photos and video on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram (see below). Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, especially on Florida’s Space Coast, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic.
Can a rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, Florida, be seen outside of Florida? Once again depending on weather and on cloud cover, yes. For example, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach.
A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a “rumble” can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County after liftoff. And some rocket launches have had an added bonus: The SpaceX boosters return to a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean or, occasionally, to the company’s landing zone at Cape Canaveral. If a booster returns to the landing zone, there’s a sonic boom.
When is Florida rocket launch? Monday, April 21: NASA-SpaceX CRS-32Mission: NASA and SpaceX will launch a Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket on the 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station.Launch time and day: 4:15 a.m. EDT Monday, April 21, 2025Location of rocket launch: Launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space CenterSonic booms: YesTrajectory: NortheastLive FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.When is SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Monday, April 21: SpaceX Bandwagon-3Mission: SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rideshare mission carrying dozens of small satellites and nanosatellites for an array of commercial and governmental customers, the Space Coast Office of Tourism reported.Launch window: 8:43 p.m. to 9:23 p.m. EDT Monday, April 21, 2025Location of rocket launch: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, FloridaSonic booms: YesTrajectory: SoutheastLive FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch?
Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
Whenever there is a rocket launch in Florida, check the live weather radar above to see conditions around the Space Coast and surrounding areas.
Where to watch a SpaceX, NASA or ULA Atlas V rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida
Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you’ll get a view of the rocket launch − in certain areas, you can get an amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.
If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.
If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast.
Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots).
Some hotspots to check out:
Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there’s a charge to park.Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there’s a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn’t always granted depending on capacity and time of day.Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.Space View Park, 8 Broad St., TitusvilleSand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, TitusvilleRotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., TitusvilleRiverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docksVarious parks on Merritt IslandRotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt IslandKiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt IslandPort Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at portAlan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen CausewayTables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite BeachThe Tides on SR A1A in Satellite BeachVarious parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite BeachPineda CausewayEau Gallie CausewayFront Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in MelbourneIndialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1AParadise Beach Park, aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.