SpaceX launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, ahead of Christmas: What time is the launch?

A SpaceX rocket launch is approaching — and parts of the Space Coast may get a nice view of it… and then hear a rumble.

SpaceX may be planning to launch a series of Starlink internet satellites from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Monday, December 23. Depending on cloud cover, weather and visibility, people from Mims and Titusville to Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet may see a nice streak in the sky – given the proximity to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It’s possible the launch can be seen from Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, East Orlando or Vero Beach.

If you’re keeping watch, Florida has already broken the record for orbital rocket launches in a year, with the majority of missions flying from SpaceX in 2024. In 2023, SpaceX also helped break the record for rocket launches per year – adding to the 72 launches completed near Cape Canaveral. As of Friday, December 20, there have been 90 orbital rocket launches from the neighboring Space Coast in 2024.

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 SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Are there sonic booms at every launch?

Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, rocket launches from the Space Coast can be visible from almost any part of Brevard County. Night launches in particular offer beautiful views. After launch there is usually a rumble. Some SpaceX launches have an added bonus: the boosters return to a drone ship and sometimes there’s a sonic boom.

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.

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

Is there a rocket launch from Florida? Next up is Monday, December 23: SpaceX Starlink 12-2

• Mission: According to an advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX will launch the agency’s latest Starlink mission during a 4 1/2-hour window in the early hours of Monday. A Falcon 9 rocket could launch the next batch of Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit.

• Start window: 12:35 AM EDT Monday, December 23

• Location: Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A

• 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 in your browser.

Space Coast Weather Radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida today?

Shown is National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows real-time conditions for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando 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.

Where to watch a SpaceX rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida

You can get a view of the rocket launch almost anywhere in Brevard; in certain areas you can get a great view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility is dependent on weather conditions and people should ensure they do not block traffic or rights of way on bridges and that they follow the rules on beaches.

If you’re watching the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look directly east, across the river.

If you’re further south along the Indian River, look northeast.

Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest place to view the launch as it runs almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. At the beach, look south along the coastline (you can even see the path from some spots).

Some hotspots to check out:

• Jetty Park beach and pier400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Please note that parking charges apply.

• Playalinda Beach1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Please note: parking charges apply and access to Canaveral National Seashore is not always granted depending on capacity and time of day.

• Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Please note: parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.

• Space View Park8 Broad St., Titusville

• Zandpuntpark10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville

• Rotating park on the river4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville

• Riverfront park in Cocoa Village401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)

• Rotating park1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island

• Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island

• Port Canaveralwith ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean in port

• Alan Shepard Park299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Please note, parking fees may apply.

• Cocoa Beach Pier401 Meade Ave. The parking rate varies.

• Lori Wilson Park1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. By the way, Lori Wilson Park has a dog park.

• Sidney Fischer Park2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Please note, parking fees may apply.

• Cocoa beach in the centeralong the Minutemen Causeway

• Tables Beach197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach

• The tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach

• Several parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach

• Front Street Park near Melbourne (US 192) Causeway and US 1 in Melbourne

• Indian Lantic promenade at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A

• Paradise Beach Parkaka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachfront park)

• Sebastian Inlet Park9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (entrance fees apply)

• Ambersands beach park12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)

• South Beach Park1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)

• Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach

• Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket launch near Cape Canaveral, Florida: When is the launch?