Artemis Launch Viewing: How to Witness Our Return to the Moon
A beginner’s guide to viewing the historic launch of NASA’s Mega Moon Rocket.
Note: Edited to reflect Monday’s scrub and current launch date of September 3.
NASA is planning to launch its new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on its maiden voyage later this month. The uncrewed Artemis I mission will be the first integrated test of NASA’s new deep space exploration systems, designed to return humanity to the Moon and, eventually, explore Mars. Currently targeting Saturday, September 3, at 2:17 PM ET (6:17 PM UTC), with a two-hour window from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B), the mission is anticipated to bring hundreds of thousands of spectators into the area with hopes of witnessing history. With paid viewing options selling out near-instantaneously and large crowds flocking to the area, many launchgoers are scrambling to find the best spots to watch the historic launch.
As a lifelong space nerd, former spaceflight media, and current NASA engineer, I’ve seen launches from practically every viewing location on the Space Coast, from our gorgeous beaches to the rooftop of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). In this guide, I will provide my recommended viewing locations for launch and give some pro tips to help ensure you have an unforgettable viewing experience.
Scrubs Happen!
After the scrub on Monday, August 29, I wanted to include this little section to help manage the expectations of first-time launchgoers. Scrubs and delays happen, more so with the first launch of a new vehicle. Keep in mind that a million things must go right for a liftoff, and only one needs to go wrong for a scrub. While scrubs are disappointing, engineers will always prioritize safety and mission assurance. As history has shown time and time again, “go fever” leads to disaster. As many veteran launchgoers will tell you, scrubs are part of the business. Always plan for a launch as if it were going to scrub. Include extra days to account for delays. If we happen to scrub on Saturday (knock on wood), the backup date is currently Monday, September 5. Pay attention to the NASA broadcast and local officials to get updates on the status of the launch.
Safety First!
As exciting as rocket launches are, please don’t do anything that would jeopardize your safety or the safety of others. NOTAMs, NOTMARs, launch hazard areas, and exclusion zones will be issued by the FAA, Coast Guard, Space Force, and other local authorities in the days leading to launch. Violating these can result in legal prosecution, heavy fines, and even delay the launch. It is best for everyone to follow the direction of local officials.
Pack Enough Supplies and Charge Up!
It is best to plan for a day of intense sun and traffic, even if you only plan on being out for a few hours! Bring enough sunscreen, food, and water to last the entire day. Be sure to fully charge your devices and bring a power bank or two. Keep in mind that cellular coverage will be spotty due to the influx of traffic on launch day, so plan accordingly. Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget bug spray! Despite our beautiful beaches and parks, this is still swampland!
COVID-19
As much as we all hate hearing it, the pandemic hasn’t disappeared, and Brevard County is still considered a high transmission community — even without the large crowds. Please do your best to maintain social distancing. Make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccines, and wear a mask if you are indoors. Most importantly, stay home if you are feeling sick or have been exposed to/tested positive for Coronavirus. Don’t risk the health of others just to get a closer view of the launch. Be responsible.
Traffic, Traffic, Traffic!
Due to the high number of spectators traveling to the area for launch, officials will be enforcing special traffic flows on launch day. Please drive carefully, remain vigillant, and follow the directions of local authorities. Yield to pedestrians, be patient, and drive defensively. Be sure to look over the traffic flow map below before heading out to your chosen viewing area!
Paid Viewing Options
While there are many fantastic areas to view from for free, paid options offer amenities and stability that public viewing simply can’t. That said, this does not mean that paid locations are always better when it comes to the view. Public areas often offer a comparable, sometimes even better, view than their paid counterparts. I only recommend paid viewing to families, those physically unable to camp roadside for hours with limited amenities, or those interested in a more exclusive viewing experience. Most paid viewing options have sold out, and thus been removed from the list. Of those still available, here are my recommended paid viewing locations:
- Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.
Another option for private launch viewing with maximum comfort is renting a house/room via Airbnb, Vrbo, etc. Prices and locations vary widely, though I recommend looking for rentals along the Indian River.
NOTE: Be weary of resale scams and scalpers. KSCVC does NOT allow the resale or transfer of purchased viewing packages.
Free Viewing Options
The Space Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and parks, all of which are excellent areas to view from! Free viewing options can often offer better views than paid viewing. However, they do require a bit more planning.
When to Arrive
You will need to get to your planned location EARLY! The most determined launch enthusiasts will be camping at their spots overnight. Unless you are a photographer needing the absolute best spot your site has to offer, you do not need to do that. With liftoff targeting 2:17 PM ET on a Saturday, I recommend arriving early in the morning for the best chance at viewing from your chosen location.
Clean Before You Leave
When viewing at any location, please clean up after yourself! Leave the area better than you found it. Help keep our beaches and parks safe and beautiful.
Public Viewing Areas
Some of the best public viewing areas available are located just west of KSC along the Indian River. Many of these locations offer an unobstructed view of launch. However, because of this, you can expect the majority of the traffic to be centered there. If you don’t mind viewing a bit farther away, or don’t need an unobstructed view of the pad, there are plenty of areas to the south that offer decent viewing and may escape the worst of the traffic.
Keep in mind that you can view from practically everywhere in the area. This is the one of the largest, most powerful rockets ever launched. Trust me, you’ll see it no matter where you are. However, if you want the best possible viewing spots, here are my recommendations:
NOTE: Playalinda Beach will be CLOSED for launch due to its close proximity to LC-39B. Max Brewer Bridge will likely only allow foot traffic on launch day.
- Max Brewer Bridge / Parrish Park
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms
Parking: Extremely limited - Space View Park
Distance: 11 miles (18 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms
Parking: Extremely limited - Sand Point Park
Distance: 11 miles (18 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions
Parking: Extremely limited - Marina Park
Distance: 11 miles (18 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions
Parking: Extremely limited - William J. Manzo Memorial Park
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions, Electric Outlets
Parking: Extremely limited - Rotary Riverfront Park
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Amenities: Pavillions
Parking: Extremely limited - Chain of Lakes Park
Distance: 13 miles (19 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions, Observation Tower
Parking: Limited - Cherie Down Park
Distance: 16 miles (26 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions
Parking: Extremely Limited - Cocoa Beach Pier
Distance: 18 miles (29 km)
Amenities: Bathrooms, Pavillions, Restaurants
Parking: Available
Remote Viewing Options
Can’t make it over for launch or simply want to enjoy from the comfort of your home? No worries! Here’s where you can watch, listen, and follow along with the launch of Artemis I!
NASA TV
NASA will be streaming live coverage on NASA TV and NASA social media. A livestream of the vehicle standing on LC-39B is already live on the NASA Kennedy YouTube channel. Coverage will include celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans, and Keke Palmer, as well as a special performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock. It also will feature a performance of “America the Beautiful” by The Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
If celebrity appearances and live concerts don’t strike your fancy, a clean feed will be carried on the NASA TV media channel featuring views of the rocket and audio from a commentator in the Launch Control Center (LCC) throughout. Mission audio will be available starting at T-15 minutes.
Content Creators and Online Streams
There will be plenty of content creators and spaceflight media outlets hosting their own streams of the launch as well! Check in with your favorite creators to see when their coverage begins.
NOTE: Be weary of clicking links posted to social media. Double-check to ensure the poster is a trusted source BEFORE clicking. Be on the lookout for phishing attacks and malicious links, which tend to increase during large events like this.
Radio
The best option for those viewing the launch in-person. Get live launch updates while circumventing the area’s overburdened cellular coverage! Coverage will be broadcast on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz and UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz, FM mode. Only availble to those in the Brevard County area.
Dial-In
The second best option for those viewing in-person. Want live updates but don’t have a radio or enough signal to stream a video? No worries! Countdown activities with audio of the launch control commentator will be available starting at 12:00 AM ET (4:00 AM UTC). by dialing 1–844–467–4685; Passcode: 687630; listeners will hear a single channel of mission audio beginning at T-15 minutes. Full audio from the launch broadcast will begin at 6:30 AM ET (10:30 AM UTC) and will be carried on 321–867–1220, -1240, -1260 or –7135., -1240, -1260 or –7135.
We Are Going
As someone lucky enough to play a small role in this incredible program, thank you for sharing your excitement and coming out to witness this historic launch. We are going because of individuals like you, those who look up and see not an empty void but a vast sea of stars beckoning our exploration. Launches, especially ones of this magnitude, ignite the curiosity and imaginations of people far and wide. It was in the final years of the Shuttle Program that my passion was realized. I hope that, with Artemis, the next generation will hear their calling too. Through Artemis, we are going to push further than ever before and test the true might of human adaptability and ingenuity. We. Are. Going.
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DISCLAIMER: All opinions and recommendations in this article are mine and mine alone. They do not represent those of NASA or related entities. No paid advertisements are included in this article; all recommendations are genuine.
