Rocket launches this week: Where to watch in Sebastian, Vero, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce

Jennifer Sangalang and Rick Neale, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·4 min read

If you're hanging out on the beaches, parks or rivers in the Treasure Coast of Florida, you're already in paradise.

Add watching a rocket launch as a "thing to do in the 772." Potentially, you'll have multiple chances to do so this week.

Can you see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral in the Treasure Coast sky?

Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, yes, rocket launches from neighboring Space Coast could be visible on the Treasure Coast. Below is a calendar for upcoming rocket launches and suggestions on where to watch them. If there are changes to the launches, this story will be updated.

Is there a rocket launch today in Florida? Rocket launch calendar for Florida missions

Here's what we know about the rocket launch missions, mentioned in FLORIDA TODAY's rocket launch calendar for the month, which is updated frequently. (Check that link often for rocket launch times and dates because they are routinely subject to change for a variety of reasons.)

FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, provides interactive launch coverage at floridatoday.com/space with frequent updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or tweet him @rickneale1 on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. You also can reach out to Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com or @brookeofstars on X and @brooke_of_stars on Instagram.

When's the next rocket launch near Cape Canaveral, Florida? Wednesday, May 22: SpaceX Starlink

Though SpaceX has not publicly confirmed this mission's existence, a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning indicates a rocket launch window will open Wednesday night. More details:

  • Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites.

  • Launch window: 10:33 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22, to 3:04 a.m. Thursday, May 23

  • Trajectory: Southeast.

  • Local sonic boom: No.

  • Booster landing: Drone ship out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space

When is there a rocket launch near Kennedy Space Center, Florida? Thursday, May 23: SpaceX Starlink

A National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational advisory indicates another 4½-hour launch window will open Thursday night for a SpaceX Starlink mission.

  • Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload of Starlink internet satellites.

  • Launch: 6:45 p.m. until 11:16 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 23

  • Trajectory: Southeast.

  • Local sonic boom: No

  • Booster landing: Drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean

  • Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

Where can I watch rocket launches online?

If you want to watch live rocket launch coverage, FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team will provide updates at floridatoday.com/space, starting about 90 minutes before launch time or earlier depending on the mission. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Where can I see a Florida rocket launch in Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County?

The best views to watch a rocket launch from neighboring Brevard County, aka the Space Coast, is here along the beach. Visibility in Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County, part of the Treasure Coast, 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. Look due north. Here are some recommended spots, from closest to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center to farthest:

• Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch. That includes Melbourne Beach, which borders Indian River County, or from Grant-Valkaria along the Indian River Lagoon.

• Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)

• Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso

• Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)

• South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)

• Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach

• Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach

• Fort Pierce Inlet, 905 Shorewinds Drive

• Blind Creek Beachside North and South, South Ocean Drive or SR A1A on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce

• Blue Heron Beach, 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce

• Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

• Dollman Park Beachside, 9200 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

• Herman's Bay Beach, 7880 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

• John Brooks Park Beachside, 3300 S Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

• Middle Cove Beach, 4600 South Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

• Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach

• Pepper Park Beachside, 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce,

• Walton Rocks Beach, which has a dog park, 6700 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

• Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

• House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart

• State Road A1A causeway in Stuart

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX in Florida, NASA Starliner launch: Treasure Coast viewing spots