Written by 
On the top of the RSS with Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135 being prepared for flight
If you are planning to watch Space Shuttle Atlantis launch live then you will be one of probably 1,000,000 people contesting the small amount of real estate around Kennedy Space Center. Before you set out you should have a good idea of where you will try to get a spot to watch from. Not only will you need a plan A, but you will also need a plan B… Our list of viewpoints for the rocket launch have all been individually visited and assessed. A lot of these sites offer only a small amount of parking and often no or limited facilities.
All this information and more is available from our iPhone KSC Launch Pad App. Click here for more details.
We have broken the sites down into four main categories:
- Launch viewing locations in Titusville
- Southern shuttle launch viewpoints
- Shuttle launch viewing from a little further away
- Ticketed shuttle launch viewing locations
If you have not already bought a ticket for viewing the launch then it is unlikely that you will manage to obtain one at this short notice so it is best to focus on some of the other launch viewing sites. If you have a favorite spot to watch rocket launches that we have not covered then let us know about it.
Read on for the Final Space Shuttle launch viewing locations:
Viewing locations in Titusville
S Washington Ave
On a launch day the whole of S Washington Ave becomes a viewpoint for the liftoff. There are varying amounts of visibility and parking from the roadside. I have selected a couple where the visibility is good and the parking is OK. Bear in mind that most of Florida comes out to see a launch (or so it seems) so make sure you get here early.
There is also a new park that the city has created that is still under construction. Even if it is not finished before the launch it should still be usable, but care should be taken if it is still a construction site.
Click here for a detailed map.
Click here for a detailed map.
Click here for a detailed map.
Rotary Park, Titusville
Rotary Park is another smallish park with a pier and dock. The view from the pier and dock is unrestricted straight across the Indian River to Merrit Island and the Space Complex. If the pier and dock are full then there is limited number of places with visibility on the riverbank.
The park has no facilities and just a small parking lot. If you intend to watch from here it is advisable to get in place early.
Click here for a detailed map.
Kennedy Point Park, Titusville
For launches from LC-39 and the upper pads this is my favourite location. About 12 miles from LC-39A you get a view of the rocket on the launch pad (better through binoculars) and a great view of the launch.
Rockets tend to have an easterly trajectory so will always be flying away from you, but this site offers one of the best views available. There are benches by the river bank and some shelters a little further back in the park. There are restrooms and a limited amount of parking in the park. Normally there is an enterprising local providing light refreshments.
Next to the park there is a dock which can sometimes be used to view from as well. This is a location that you need to arrive early for.
Click here for a detailed map.
Indian River Ave, Titusville
There is a clear river bank lot right on Indian River Ave in Titusville, just before Vetrans Park. The ground here can be quite boggy if it has rained, and there are no facilities.
There is a good view of LC-39A and B. Parking is shared with Vetran’s park so may be limited. Bear in mind that most of Florida comes out to see a launch (or so it seems) so make sure you get here early.
Click here for a detailed map.
Veterans Park, Titusville
Veterans Park is THE place to watch a rocket launch in Titusville it has clear views to both LC-39A and LC39B. Just to avoid any confusion there is a jetty built out into the river that points directly to LC-39A. There are some parking spaces both at the park and the adjacent bank, but this location will get full very quickly. A great place to watch a launch with atmosphere of the crowd. An added bonus is restrooms which can be essential for a long wait.
Click here for a detailed map.
William J Manzo Park, Titusville
William J Manzo is a small park which has a board walk along the river bank. The park is heavily wooded so there is limited viewing away from the boardwalk.
There is a vacant lot next to the park that looks like it could be used, and is mainly clear of trees and scrub. This would accommodate more people. The park itself has restrooms and a number of sheltered BBQ pits so you could get there early and have a cook out. There is a small childrens play area, and parking for just 20 cars. On the opposite side of S Washington Avenue there is a vacant lot with parking, plus side streets.
Click here for a detailed map.
Pauls Smokehouse, Titusville
What could be better than a nice juicy steak and watching a rocket launch while you are eating it? Pauls Smokehouse has huge glass windows with unobstructed views over the Indian River almost due east to the VAB and slightly to the north LC-39A and 39B.
Obviously this is at the more exclusive end of rocket launch viewing. Pauls Smokehouse is always busy and even more so during launches. If you want to watch from here then early booking is essential.
Click here for a detailed map.
Southern viewpoints Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach
SR-402 Port Canaveral
SR-402 behind Port Canaveral is an ideal location to watch launches from pretty much any launch pad on Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral AFS. This is a stretch of road about a mile long running east to west. To the north of the road is space to pull off and park with a solid bank leading down to the Banana River.
The beauty of this location is that from most spots along the road you have a great view north to LC-39A and 39B. The killer reason for coming here is the direct view of LC-37B about 8 miles away.
There are no facilities at all here, but plenty of parking though may get very busy for shuttle launches. I have spent many a day sitting around getting a tan waiting for a launch from here.
Click here for a detailed map.
Washington Ave, Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach presents an different way to view a rocket launch particularly during the daytime. All the launch pads are pretty much in an arc due north to north east (along the beach line).
If there is a launch from LC-17 then this is an ideal spot. There is a good view of the upper part of the rocket on the pad. Depending on the payload and the orbit of the satellite it may very well streak past you heading south east. I once watched an early morning launch as the rocket flew overhead and was visible to the naked eye for over 5 minutes.
Click here for a detailed map.
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral
Jetty park, or more specifically Jetty Pier, is a good vantage point for any of the lower launch pads, particularly LC-17.
Only the top of the rocket can be seen from this point (unless you are right at the end of the pier), but once the rocket has cleared the gantry then there is a very clear and close view of the launch.
From the pier you are just under 3 miles away from the pad of LC-17B. The roar of the rocket motor only takes a few seconds to reach you once it lights up.
This viewpoint is also good for any other launch with the proviso that you will not see the rocket until it is in the air. At just under 14 miles with no view of the pad it is not the best for viewing anything from LC-39.
The park has restrooms and ample parking but may become crowded at peak times. Especially for shuttle launches.
Click here for a detailed map.
Beach access from SR528, Port Canaveral
The beach areas along the SR528 provide excellent vantage points to view launches from all launch pads. Most of the pads on Cape Canaveral AFS will be obscured by the tree line, but the NASA pads will mainly be distant but visible.
About 14 miles from LC-39A at the top of the range, 10 Miles from LC37B mid range and 6 miles from LC17B the locations provide good coverage for almost all launches from the spaceport. In some cases the actual launch pads will not be visible but the rocket will be clearly visible as it tops the tree line.
There are no facilities on the beaches, but there are also no restrictions on what you can bring with you. To pass the time away whilst waiting for the launch why not have a beach party, go fishing, or just relax and watch the dolphins playing in the river.
Click here for a detailed map.
Viewing from a little Further Away
Haulover Canal
Haulover canal is a great place to watch a launch from. Situated North of Titusville and Cape Canaveral it covers a large area with lots of parking and plenty of spots where you can set up and watch launches. The viewpoint is just north of the roadblock that is set up for shuttle launches from 39A and 39B.
Launch Pads 39A and 39B can be seen fully from here along with LC-41. Varying in distance from 12 to 15 miles these pads will be right on the horizon. The advantage is that you do get to see the full launch albeit from a distance, but it is often far less packed than Titusville itself.
There are two slight problems with the location: sometimes it can be quite hazy making it difficult to see detail on the launch pads, and the area can be quite boggy. You could stay on the road or bridge, but then you may not get the best view. These are offset by the view of the shuttle as it normally launches north and east providing a spectacular view of the solid Rocket Booster separation.
There are no facilities at this location so make sure you bring everything you need with you.
Click here for a detailed map.
Boat ramp near Christmas
Although this is about 7 miles further away than the main Titusville viewing locations this site has two advantages. Because of it’s distance away it is quite easy to find space here. When the launch is finished you can head west on 50 and get away from the area before the main traffic hits.
The terrain is very flat and there are no bushes spoiling the view out to the coast and the launch pads. There is no view of the launch pads directly, but once the rocket has left the pad it should be visible.
The LC-39 Launch pads are slightly north of due east, with LC-40 and LC-37B due east. SR-50 is your orientation point as it runs east heading directly out to LC-37. For LC-39 the location is just to the north of the VAB, which is on the line of sight of the northern part of the S bend on the SR-50.
Click here for a detailed map.
Nasa Parkway, Kennedy Space Center
This is a great location to view a rocket launch. It is only available for shuttle launches and requires pre-booking. To reach the viewpoint you need to go to a marshalling area at the Kennedy Space Centre you will then be bussed out to NASA Parkway. Each vehicle entering the area must be badged. If you cannot get on the list then there are a couple of tour companies that can get you out to this location.
The viewing area along the NASA causeway is the closest public viewing site available. This viewing area is an open field with standing room only and is approximately six miles from the shuttle launch pads located directly on the banks of the Banana River.
Although this is an open outdoor area there are some limited facilities: Launch commentary, some food and drinks, and portable restrooms. This is an outdoor viewing site with no seating or covered viewing. You are free to bring blankets, and collapsible camping/umbrella-style folding chairs that can be carried in shoulder bags, but flat folding chairs, lawn chairs and large beach umbrellas are not permitted.
Click here for a detailed map.
Rocket Garden, Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center offers a package to view rocket launches. These are based at the visitor center and do not have a direct view of the launch pad. Most visitors viewing from the Visitor Complex view the launch from the Rocket Garden lawn or Space Shuttle Plaza. This is an outdoor viewing area at the main Visitor Complex with limited seating and no covered viewing. There are many activities planned for launch days including special astronaut appearances.
This package does not contain a Launch Transportation Ticket, therefore you will NOT be boarding a bus to go out to the NASA Causeway. However, even though you will not be able to see the space shuttle sitting on the launch pad from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you will have a direct view of the space shuttle immediately after it has cleared the tree line following initial lift-off.
A large outdoor screen is located directly adjacent to the viewing area and will broadcast images of launch preparations and the actual launch. Plus of course there are extensive catering and restroom facilities.
Click here for a detailed map.
Astronaut Hall of Fame
The Astronaut Hall of Fame is located just outside the gates of Kennedy Space Center and is approximately 12 miles from the Space Shuttle Launch Pads. The viewing area is an open field in the Northwest corner of the Astronaut Hall of Fame property, with standing room only.
Remember, even though you will not be able to see the Space Shuttle sitting on the launch pad from this location, you will have a direct view of the Space Shuttle after it has cleared the Vehicle Assembly Building, immediately following initial lift-off. Additionally, a large outdoor screen is located directly adjacent to the viewing area and will carry images of the launch preparations and the actual launch.
In addition to the outdoor viewing area, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame features the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, plus historic spacecraft, hands-on activities and astronaut training simulators. Sit at a mission control console, take a virtual ride on Mars and feel the pull of 4G’s in the G-Force Trainer.
Click here for a detailed map.
