Ignite Your Senses There’s something about witnessing a live rocket launch that leaves a person in awe. The sheer spectacle of sights and sounds is a jaw-dropping, bucket-list experience. At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have the opportunity to view rocket launches, featuring live launch commentary from space experts, with the purchase of launch viewing/transportation ticket. Within a few miles/kilometers from the launch pads, you’ll see and feel the liftoff of spacecraft as they leave Earth under the full power of mighty rocket engines. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for launch viewing announcements.
How to Watch a Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
LC-39 Observation Gantry
Amenities:
- Bleacher seating, an open lawn area and limited viewing room on the LC-39 Observation Gantry are available on a first come, first serve basis
- Live launch commentary
- Indoor restrooms
- Snacks and refreshments included in launch transportation ticket
- Retail shop
- Wheelchair accessible
Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area
Amenities:
- Bleacher seating
- Live launch commentary
- Indoor and outdoor restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
- Apollo exhibits, Moon Rock Café and The Right Stuff gift shop if the Apollo/Saturn V Center is open
Main Visitor Complex
Amenities:
- Bleacher and lawn seating next to Space Shuttle Atlantis®
- Live launch commentary
- This location offers everything included with admission to the main visitor complex
- The Space Shop and Shuttle Express® retail shops
- Indoor and outdoor restrooms
- Several restaurants are available: Orbit Cafe, Rocket Garden Cafe, G-Force Grill and Milky Way Ice Cream
- Wheelchair accessible
- ATM available
NOT ALL LOCATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT EACH LAUNCH.
Launch date, time and viewing opportunities are subject to change. Launches can be affected by technical and mechanical issues as well as range operations and weather, either in advance or at the last minute. Learn more about our Launch Scrub Policy.
Launch Viewing Tips
Rocket launch viewing is an exhilarating experience! Learn insider tips on how to watch a rocket launch in addition to a day of exploring Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex attractions and exhibits.
Once launch details are official, you will find ticket information for each launch at our Events Calendar. There you will find information on how to purchase a launch viewing/transportation ticket in addition to daily admission, if applicable.
What you need to know:
- Plan to arrive early; we open at 9:00 AM. Expect high attendance and increased traffic leading up to the visitor complex and throughout the Space Coast, and after the launch or a scrub.
- Save time by purchasing your tickets online and accessing them on your phone at the front gate.
- Anticipate longer lines for attractions, restaurants, tours, restrooms and shows on a launch day.
- Minimize food lines by planning to eat lunch either before or after peak times.
- Just as lines may have been longer when boarding the bus to launch viewing areas, anticipate that it will take time to return to the main visitor complex after a launch or a scrub.
- Be prepared for outdoor viewing in direct sunlight and sharing the viewing areas with insects.
- Check the printed Daily Schedule on site or monitor our social media for the latest information leading up to the launch.
Items to Bring:
- Sun protection: screen, hats, umbrellas and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Soft-sided coolers or lunch boxes
- Water in plastic bottles
- Cameras, tripods and binoculars
- Blankets or umbrella-style folding camp chairs carried in shoulder bags
Learn more about when tickets are sold, when to arrive, and what to expect if a launch delays or scrubs on The Payload blog: How to Watch a Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and How to Prepare for a Launch Day.
Launch Scrub Policy
Launch date, time and viewing opportunities are subject to change. Launches can be affected by technical and mechanical issues as well as range operations and weather, either in advance or at the last minute. Follow us on Twitter for up-to-date information on launches. Your Launch Transportation Ticket (LTT) provides transportation to premium launch viewing at the LC-39 Observation Gantry, Apollo/Saturn V Center or NASA Causeway viewing sites. This ticket will be collected from you when you board the bus to your particular launch viewing site.
If the launch is postponed, two scenarios are possible:
- If you are holding a LTT and the launch is postponed before you board a bus, your LTT will be valid for the next attempt to view the launch from your launch viewing site, either the LC-39 Observation Gantry, Apollo/Saturn V Center or NASA Causeway; or you may use the value of the Launch Transportation Ticket for merchandise in the Space Shop.
- If the launch is postponed after you have boarded a bus to either the LC-39 Observation Gantry, Apollo/Saturn V Center or NASA Causeway, all elements of the LTT are considered used in full. You will receive a 20 percent off coupon for use at one of our on-site retail shops. You will also receive a voucher to be exchanged for a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex daily admission ticket valid for the date of the next launch attempt. You can use this daily admission ticket to view the launch from the main visitor complex viewing area.
Daily admission, multiday passes and annual passes are valid only for entry to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Daily admission, multiday passes and annual passes do not include LTTs to premium launch viewing at the LC-39 Observation Gantry, Apollo/Saturn V Center or NASA Causeway viewing sites.
Launch Viewing Distances
LAUNCH PADS:
Rockets launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida lift off from three launch pads assigned to commercial rocket companies:
- United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket launches from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41
- ULA’s Delta IV rocket launches from SLC-37
- SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches from SLC-40 and Kennedy Space Center at Launch Complex 39A.
DISTANCES:
- LC-39 Observation Gantry
To Atlas V SLC-41 - approximately 2.3 miles/3.7 kilometers
To Falcon 9 SLC-40 - approximately 3.4 miles/5.5 kilometers
To Delta IV SLC-37 - approximately 5.5 miles/8.9 kilometers
No viewing for SpaceX LC-39A or NASA LC-39B
- Apollo/Saturn V Center
To Atlas V SLC-41 - approximately 5.4 miles/8.7 kilometers
To Falcon 9 SLC-40 - approximately 6.2 miles/10 kilometers
To Delta IV SLC-37 - approximately 8 miles/12.8 kilometers
To SpaceX LC-39A - approximately 3.9 miles/6.27 kilometers
- NASA Causeway
To Atlas V SLC-41 - approximately 5.2 miles/8.3 kilometers
To Falcon 9 SLC-40 - approximately 4 miles/6.4 kilometers
To Delta IV SLC-37 - approximately 3 miles/4.8 kilometers
To SpaceX LC-39A - approximately 7 miles/ 11 kilometers
- Main Visitor Complex
To Atlas V SLC-41 - approximately 7.1 miles/11.4 kilometers
To Falcon 9 SLC-40 - approximately 6.7 miles/10.8 kilometers
To Delta IV SLC-37 - approximately 7 miles/11.3 kilometers
To SpaceX LC-39A - approximately 7.5 miles/ 12 kilometers
