More Rocket Launches… oh my!


November 27, 2019–It’s projected to be a very busy launch season in the Titusville, Florida area. We sit right across the Indian River Lagoon from the VAB (the Vehicle Assembly Building, once the world’s largest building by volume and still in the top ten) and multiple Launch Complexes, including within perfect viewing distance to historic Launch Complex 39A (launching rockets since 1969) and SpaceX Falcon 9’s LC40.

European Space Agency Solar Orbiter

The ESA Solar Orbiter will be launched from Florida’s Space Coast

Locals know all the places to go to view a launch, and you can learn about some of them at LaunchFromHere.com. Go directly here and download your own Launch Viewing Sites Map, or stop by the Welcome Center in downtown Titusville, and get additional tips. Learn more about this area of the Space Coast here.

Here are the highlights of the projected launches in the rest of 2019 and first part of 2020. And keep watching the skies, because we #LaunchFromHere.

  • Dec 4 SpaceX Dragon will launch a resupply mission to the International Space Station—the Dragon will eventually carry U.S. Astronauts to the ISS
  • Dec 15 SpaceX Falcon 9 launches a jointly owned satellite for a company in Singapore and one in Japan
  • Dec 17 Boeing Starliner on a ULA Atlas V makes the first of two demonstration flights for Boeing Starliner Aircraft,which will eventually carry U.S. Astronauts to the International Space Station
  • Dec (date tbd) SpaceX Falcon 9 plans to launch another 60 satellites for Starlink (As recently as Nov 11, SpaceX launched 60 satellites to the constellation which, when complete, will consist of thousands of small satellites, working in combination with ground transceivers to provide internet access.)
  • Jan (date tbd) SpaceX Falcon 9 will carry a Lockheed Martin built Air Force Satellite destined for the Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Feb 5 Solar Orbiter will launch on a ULA Atlas V, a joint mission of NASA and the European Space Agency to study the Sun
  • March 1 SpaceX Falcon 9 sends Dragon on another resupply mission to ISS
  • July (date tbd) Mars Rover launches aboard a ULA Atlas V to search for habitable conditions and signs of life on Mars
Mars Rover 2020

Artist’s concept of NASA’s Mars 2020 rover exploring Mars. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Remember though that all launch dates are subject to change, due to weather or any number of other factors, so keep updated at one of these:
https://www.visitspacecoast.com/launches
https://www.floridatoday.com/space/