What time does it start, where to see from Daytona, New Smyrna Beach

Not one, but two potential rocket launches are on the horizon – and the Fun Coast might get a good view of it.

SpaceX is targeting Sunday and Monday, November 17 and November 18, to launch an Optus-X satellite and GSAT-20 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Depending on weather and visibility, parts of Volusia County may see a nice streak in the sky.

Below are suggestions on where to watch the rocket launch from this area and other things you need to know. If there are any changes to the launch schedule, this story will be updated.

For questions or comments, please email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Where can I see a rocket launch in Florida? Are SpaceX rocket launches visible from Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach?

Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, rocket launches from the neighboring Space Coast may be visible in the Volusia County area. Night launches in particular offer beautiful views.

If there is a launch window in the middle of the night or very early in the morning, there is a chance for unique photos: the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail behind it makes for a great photo.

Below are suggestions on where to watch them and photos of past rocket launches as seen from the Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange areas of Florida.

Is there a rocket launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule from Florida

Is there a rocket launch from Florida? Next up is Sunday, November 17: SpaceX Optus-X

• Mission: SpaceX has not yet publicly announced this mission, but an operating plan advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration shows the company will launch the Optus-X satellite for an Australian telecommunications operator on Sunday.

• Start window: 4:29 PM to 6:57 PM EDT Sunday, November 17

• Location: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

• Live coverage begins 90 minutes before launch at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, which includes FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide timely updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before launch. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

When is there a rocket launch in Florida? Monday, November 18: SpaceX GSAT-20

• Mission: Navigation alerts from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Coast Guard indicate that SpaceX will launch the GSAT-20 communications satellite on Monday afternoon.

• Start window: 1:31 PM to 3:50 PM EDT Monday, November 18

• Location: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

• Live coverage begins 90 minutes before launch at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, which includes FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide timely updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before launch. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Live weather radar for Daytona Beach, Florida. Will it cancel another rocket launch?

Shown is National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which displays real-time conditions for the Fun Coast and other parts of Florida. The current date and time appear in the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise you may need to clear your cache.

In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County – home to the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station – you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch.

The best views to watch a rocket launch from here are along the beach. Look due south. Readers have also said they saw a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Here are some recommended spots:

• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore), parking fees may apply. New Smyrna Beach has 17 miles of white sandy beaches. An eclectic and quaint beach town, despite its reputation as the ‘Shark Bite Capital of the World’, New Smyrna Beach has always been a haven for surfers who come for the waves.

• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach, which is located 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and a mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park, has restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers and nearly 800 feet of beach pride, according to the Volusia site County. The nearby riverfront park area is located on South Atlantic Avenue, with a playground, fishing pier and restrooms. The river at the park can be a great viewing spot for manatees, dolphins and pelicans.

• Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along the east coast of Florida in Volusia County and Brevard County. To reach Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249 and then drive east until it becomes State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.

• Oak Hill riverbank is the southernmost city in South Volusia County.

• Sunrise ParkRiver Road 275, Oak Hill

• Goodrich’s Seafood and Oyster House rear deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill

• Seminole Rest National Historic SiteRiver Road 211, Oak Hill

• Riverbreeze Park250 HH Burch Road, Oak Hill

• Mary Dewees Park178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a playground, outdoor toilets, pavilions and picnic areas.

• Nancy Cummings Park232 Cummings St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a playground, outdoor pavilion and toilets.

• Jimmie Vann Sunrise ParkRiver Road 275, Oak Hill. This location has approximately 300 feet of beautifully restored shoreline, according to the City of Oak Hill online. Facilities include a pavilion, picnic tables and kayak launch facilities.

• Municipal pier AC Delbert DeweesRiver Road 243, Oak Hill. Facilities include a 500-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating, according to the city of Oak Hill.

• Birdwatching pier on River Road across from the AC Delbert Municipal Pier (see above). Facilities include a 30-metre observation pier.

Rocket launch photo from Port Orange, Florida

Rocket launch photos from New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Rocket launch photos from Daytona Beach, Florida

Rocket launch photo from Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her further Tweet or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: SpaceX rocket launch in Florida: How to watch in Daytona, New Smyrna