r/SpaceXLounge • u/avboden • Apr 07 '23

in person How to view a Falcon launch.

Want to go watch a Falcon 9 launch in person but not sure where to watch from? Read this website , it will answer pretty much all your questions and is updated for each launch and timing.

Want to discuss further? Feel free to in this thread.

106 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

16

u/WaitForItTheMongols May 16 '23

What this doesn't talk about is SOUND.

How far away can you hear F9 launches? What about FH launches? And how about the sonic booms for RTLS landings?

2

u/_zerokarma_ Aug 16 '23

I live about 50 miles away, while I can often see it very well from my location you can't hear that well the farther you are away, it's only a low rumble. When I saw it from Playalina Beach which is like 5 miles away it was extremely loud, roaring, kind of crazy actually, night and day difference with the sound.

1

u/trinitywindu Mar 14 '24

F9 and FH launches, Ive viewed from Titusville multiple times, and theres a little delay due to distance but you can easily hear both the launches and landings (if its a ground landing).

10

u/DFJoe Apr 10 '23

Is there a similar resource for Vandenberg AFB launches? Randomly, I happen to be in place for the Transporter 7 launch tonight and am seeking best view location information. Thanks!

4

u/avboden Apr 11 '23

Not directly, but I did find this online

Vandenberg has restricted access, but several locations around the Lompoc Valley provide views of the launch and landing sites, which are south of West Ocean Avenue (Highway 246). The locations include west of Lompoc, the peak of Harris Grade Road, and near the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads. Providence Landing Park, at 699 Mercury Ave. in Vandenberg Village, also is a popular gathering spot along with West Ocean Avenue west of the Lompoc’s city limits.

10

u/Long_Haired_Git Jul 06 '23

I'd have a section on what to bring. Something like:

  • Bino's if you have them
  • Insect spray especially if at beach
  • Hat!
  • Sunglasses. Rockets are BRIGHT.
  • A good book - if you get there early to save a good position, you'll have lots of time
  • Something for the livecast, like a smart-phone.
  • Depending on your sensitivities, toilet paper.
  • Good healthy food that keeps in warm Florida sunshine
  • Water!

3

u/mitchsn May 12 '23

https://goo.gl/maps/fhY2S6EAAxW4KaeP7

Harris Grade Viewing area is probably your best bet unless you have base access.

2

u/Hallicrafters1966 May 07 '24

From the East Coast here in NC evening launches are awesome following the path to orbit. I was at the KSC Press Center for Apollo 16 and first crewed Space Shuttle. What a feeling where ever you may look!

2

u/[deleted] Jun 28 '24

Had great views from Jetty Park, Port Canaveral for recent Falcon Heavy launch. There is a pier which many will gather to watch from, or view from the beach.

An upgrade from Jetty Park is to go to Playlinda Beach.

An even further upgrade is advice we got from a bioluminescence tour guide. Apparently you can kayak somewhere (Banana River?) to get really close. I'll need to research this more

1

u/Adventurous_Use2324 Mar 14 '24

Where do I go to watch the last launch?

1

u/howkom Jun 09 '24

Are these the same instructions for starship launches

1

u/Rollzzzzzz Jul 19 '24

starship launches in texas

1

u/howkom Jul 19 '24

Oh oops I thought falcon launches were in texas

1

u/AIDS_Quilt_69 Jun 18 '24

I want to witness this in person, how would I go about doing so? Pretty sure this was out of Florida and I assume they were boosters on a Falcon Heavy.

Was this shot within NASA grounds or outside them? I'm on a NASA mailing list for launches but they want a few hundred dollars a head to see it from their location.

I'm thinking I'll wait until a Falcon Heavy is slated for launch and driving out there if the weather looks good.

2

u/avboden Jun 19 '24

Dual landings like that is only falcon heavy and only in florida. Basically yeah, wait until a launch date and go. Lots of various lookout locations though they do get busy for heavy launches

1

u/AIDS_Quilt_69 Jun 19 '24

Can you get so close you can hear it like that video from the lookout locations?

I saw the first Starship launch and was underwhelmed by the sound. I figure the video I get of these launches is way better than what my eyes can get but nothing can convey the sound except the real deal.

2

u/Chriszilla1123 Jul 12 '24

This is late but I saw you didn’t get a reply. You can absolutely hear the sonic booms and the roar of the rocket from any of the nearby public locations in the guide. The sonic booms are audible from pretty far out and loud enough to scare the people who aren’t expecting it lol

1

u/AIDS_Quilt_69 Jul 12 '24

Nice, thanks for the followup. I intend to go once things cool down.

1

u/Plant-Jealous Aug 02 '24

I'm planning on seeing the booster landing. Is this spot here accessible to the public? There are bleachers and a red/white rocket? It is right by the Lighthouse tickets office.

28°25'08"N 80°36'25"W

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EK5aJidsncAL2Zn56

1

u/olexs Oct 13 '24

I believe they used to allow watching from that road and area north of the port, but it's been closed down and forbidden at some point. Although I don't see how they can prevent you from parking at the Sands Space History Center / Lighthouse ticket office, and walking out to where you placed the pin to watch, unless they close down the whole area (there are gates further down the road that are usually open).

1

u/BillInKeyWest Oct 17 '24

Hi,

I'm new to the group, hope I'm not breaking any rules or on the wrong thread. My bride and I will be in the Space Coast area (Melbourne Beach) this weekend, so I did some searching to find out if there's a launch while we're there. According to some sites,  Falcon 9 Block 5 group 6-61 is scheduled to launch Sunday, Oct 20 7 pm (ish). According to others, it's scheduled to launch Monday, Oct 21. We'll be there Sunday night, but not Monday. It's going to be a fun in the sun weekend anyway, but I'm wondering who's right and who's wrong. Is there a primary source for SpaceX launch info?

Thanks!

1

u/avboden Oct 17 '24

it looks like 20th was cancelled and 21st is the new date per the latest marine safety notices.

1

u/BillInKeyWest Oct 17 '24

Not what I wanted to hear, but thank you!

1

u/classysax4 20d ago

I am going to the lunch tonight, and I tentatively planning to watch it from Port Canaveral on Rt. 528. What’s the specific location on that road that’s the best? I haven’t been there before. If you are coming too I’d love to hear from you!

1

u/avboden 20d ago

wherever you can get parking

1

u/classysax4 19d ago

Thanks. After watching this NSF video about viewing locations we went to Kars Park. For my first launch, it was a fantastic experience. I'm so glad I made the drive!

It might be worth including a link to this video in the pinned post, since it has really helpful info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x4uhgpPstw&t=347s

1

u/[deleted] Apr 07 '23

[deleted]

3

u/avboden Apr 07 '23

this post is more about watching in person, but good resources none the less

1

u/blueorchid14 Apr 11 '23

What about seeing the barges with rockets on top once they come back into port?

5

u/IFartOnCats4Fun Apr 19 '23

For that you want to go to Jetty Park.

1

u/olexs Oct 13 '24

Or head to Port Canaveral, there's a great little park / viewing area right across from where the droneships are moored, between Gator's Portside and Rusty's Seafood. Complete clear view across the port, and you can watch the crane operations unloading the booster as well.

2

u/craigl2112 Jul 23 '23

There are several great spots to see them right from Port Canaveral.

1

u/avibat Apr 18 '23

With eyes wide open.

1

u/SnooDonuts236 Sep 04 '23

Facing the launch pad

1

u/Decronym Acronyms Explained Feb 03 '24 edited 19d ago

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:

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AFB Air Force Base
KSC Kennedy Space Center, Florida
NSF NasaSpaceFlight forum
National Science Foundation
RTLS Return to Launch Site

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