Here are the next rocket launches from Florida's Space Coast, California, Texas and around the world, with times in your own time zone and a live countdown. When the FAA closes airspace for a launch, you'll see that below too.
Can you see it from your town?
Pick your town, or use your location, to see which way to look and how soon after liftoff a launch clears your horizon.
Florida launches (Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center)
- Boca Raton
- Bradenton
- Brandon
- Cape Coral
- Charleston
- Clearwater
- Clermont
- Cocoa Beach
- Daytona Beach
- Deltona
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Fort Pierce
- Gainesville
- Hialeah
- Hilton Head
- Hollywood
- Homestead
- Jacksonville
- Jupiter
- Key West
- Kissimmee
- Lakeland
- Melbourne
- Merritt Island
- Miami
- Naples
- New Smyrna Beach
- Ocala
- Orlando
- Palm Bay
- Palm Coast
- Parkland
- Pembroke Pines
- Pensacola
- Port Charlotte
- Port Orange
- Port St. Lucie
- Sanford
- Sarasota
- Savannah
- Sebastian
- St. Augustine
- St. Petersburg
- Stuart
- Tallahassee
- Tampa
- The Villages
- Titusville
- Vero Beach
- West Palm Beach
- Winter Park
California launches (Vandenberg)
- Anaheim
- Bakersfield
- Fresno
- Irvine
- Las Vegas
- Lompoc
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Oxnard
- Palm Springs
- Phoenix
- Riverside
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Maria
- Tucson
- Ventura
Texas launches (Starbase)
Virginia launches (Wallops)
How air traffic control makes room for a rocket
Before every launch, the FAA closes the airspace around the pad and along the rocket's path with temporary flight restrictions and hazard areas. Airlines are rerouted around them, and controllers at the nearby centers, like Jacksonville and Miami for Florida launches, move traffic out of the way and bring it back once the rocket is clear. Busy launch days mean careful planning between the FAA, the launch company and the airlines.
Where to watch a launch
Parks and beaches can close or fill up on launch days, and launch times often slip. Check local news before you head out.
Florida: Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: ticketed viewing areas with commentary, for some launches.
- Titusville: free views across the river from Space View Park and the Max Brewer Bridge.
- Playalinda Beach: one of the closest public spots, when it's open on launch days.
- Jetty Park, Port Canaveral, and Cocoa Beach: beach views to the south of the pads.
On a clear night, Florida launches can be seen from much of the state, including Orlando, Tampa and the Miami area. If a booster is landing back at the Cape, listen for the sonic boom.
California: Vandenberg
- Lompoc: open spots around town, like Allan Hancock College and Riverbend Park, about 10 miles from the pads.
Launches just after sunset or before sunrise often light up the sky across Southern California, when the rocket's plume catches the sunlight high above.
Texas: Starbase
- South Padre Island: Isla Blanca Park and the island beaches look across the water at the launch site. The beach next to Starbase is usually closed on launch days.
Virginia: Wallops Island
- NASA Wallops Visitor Center: opens a viewing area on some launch days.
- Chincoteague: Robert Reed Park on Main Street and Beach Road toward Assateague.
Night launches from Wallops can be seen up and down the mid-Atlantic coast, from Virginia to New Jersey and beyond, about a minute or two after liftoff.
When a rocket goes up, a team of air traffic controllers is clearing the sky around it. Thank the centers that make launch day work.
Common questions
When is the next rocket launch in Florida?
Tap Florida in the schedule above to see upcoming launches from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, with times in your time zone.
Can you see a rocket launch from Orlando or Miami?
Often, yes. On a clear day or night, a launch from Cape Canaveral can be seen across much of Florida, especially as the rocket climbs. Pick your town to see which way to look and how soon it appears.
Where can I watch a rocket launch online?
Most launches stream live for free on the launch company's own site, like SpaceX.com, NASA+ or ULA, usually starting shortly before liftoff. Each launch above has a Watch online link.
Why do rocket launches get scrubbed?
Weather, technical issues, or boats and aircraft inside the hazard area can all delay a launch to keep everyone safe.
Do rocket launches delay airline flights?
Sometimes. The FAA closes airspace around launches, so some flights are rerouted or briefly delayed, especially along the East Coast.