Those unfamiliar with the Cape Canaveral area are often left wondering one thing during a rocket launch: Where do I look?
While most of these launches are best viewed from Titusville, the beach offers great views as well. Of course, as the rocket climbs higher it becomes unmissable from anywhere on the Space Coast. Launches on the Space Coast are dominated by SpaceX. But with Blue Origin’s giant New Glenn soon to join the launch crowd, get ready for some spectacular launch viewing. The Blue Origin launch pad is perfectly poised for a stunning view of the entire liftoff.
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Blue Origin’s launch pad is the most visible if you’re on the beach in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. With its large building next to the launch tower, it’s often the first place people look when they come to the beach to watch a rocket launch. Obviously a launch pad, this often causes confusion. Blue Origin hasn’t launched off this pad yet. Unless you’re here for their inaugural New Glenn flight, which is expected no earlier than 1 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, you’re looking in the wrong place.
When the New Glenn orbital rocket does make its maiden flight from that location, viewers will be treated to some of the best beach launch views yet. The company also will attempt to land the rocket’s first stage on a recovery vessel on the Atlantic Ocean so it can be reused. This is similar to SpaceX’s recovery of the Falcon 9.
SpaceX launches from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A and Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40.
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Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A
Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40)
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launches rockets from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41 − which is north of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
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