Get your coffee or favorite caffeinated beverage ready, as the rocket launch is scheduled for early morning.
United Launch Alliance is scheduled to launch an Atlas V rocket for the Space Force’s Space Systems Command from Cape Canaveral at 6:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 30. This will be the final national security mission for the Atlas family of rockets.
The USSF-51 mission is a secret Space Force payload.
While this will be the rocket’s final national security payload, it won’t be the last Atlas V launch. More launches are scheduled before the rocket is officially retired. The ULA Vulcan rocket replaces the already retired Delta IV and Atlas V rockets.
If the weather is good and depending on cloud cover, it should be visible from the Space Coast, and a rumbling sound can usually be heard a few minutes after liftoff.
Below are suggestions for where you can watch the launch from the area, real-time weather radar to check rain conditions, and other things you need to know.
If there are any changes to this launch, this story will be updated.
Is there a rocket launch today?SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launches scheduled for Florida
Are there any rocket launches from Florida? Next one is on Tuesday, July 30: United Launch Alliance USSF-51
Mission: The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket will launch the secretive USSF-51 mission for the Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
launch: Tuesday, July 30th at 6:45am EDT
position: Cape Canaveral Space Station Launch Complex 41
live broadcast: You can watch the live broadcast of the rocket launch below. USA TODAY Network’s space teamThe Florida Today team is made up of space reporters Rick Neal and Brooke Edwards, and visual journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Short. Our space team will keep you up to date with our mobile-friendly live blog. floridatoday.com/SpaceIt will start 90 minutes before the launch and is free to download. Florida Today App,this is App Store or Google PlayOr enter space Enter it in your browser.
Weather radar in Daytona Beach, Florida. Will weather cause the rocket launch to be canceled?
What you see is the National Weather Service Melbourne Radar. It shows real-time conditions for the Fun Coast and other parts of Florida. The current date and time are displayed in the bottom right of this radar embed. If you don’t see it, you may need to clear your cache.
Live beach webcam in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Not seeing the North Beach webcam in New Smyrna Beach? Click on this link
Just north of Brevard County, home to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Volusia County offers great views of SpaceX, NASA, or United Launch Alliance rocket launches.
The best place to watch the rocket launch from here is along the beach; look due south. Readers have also told us they can see the 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 sand beaches. Despite its reputation as the “Shark Bite Capital of the World,” New Smyrna Beach is a diverse and quaint beach town that has long been a haven for surfers looking for a wave.
Dinner and launch party:Perfect for SpaceX and NASA rocket launches, Volusia County’s best waterfront restaurants
• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Located 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park, Bethune Beach has restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers and about 800 feet of shoreline walking trail. According to the Volusia County websiteThe nearby riverside park area is across South Atlantic Avenue and features tennis, pickle ball, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, a fishing pier and restrooms. The river by the park is a great place to watch manatees, dolphins and pelicans.
• Apollo Beach in Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore stretches along Florida’s east coast in Volusia and Brevard counties. To reach Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to Exit 249, then travel east onto State Route A1A. Follow State Route A1A south to the park entrance.
• Oak Hill Riverside it is The southernmost city in South Volusia County.
• Sunrise Park275 River Road, Oak Hill
• Goodrich Seafood & Oyster House Back Deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill
• Seminole Rest National Historic Site211 River Road, Oak Hill
• River Breeze Park250 HH Birch Road, Oak Hill
• Mary Dewees Park178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill. Amenities include rental buildings, playgrounds, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoor restrooms, pavilions, picnic areas and grills.
• Nancy Cummings Park232 Cummings St., Oak Hill. Amenities include a playground, baseball fields, basketball courts, outdoor pavilions and restrooms.
• Jimmy Van Sunrise Park275 River Road, Oak Hill. The site has about 350 feet of beautifully restored shoreline, according to online information from the city of Oak Hill. Amenities include a pavilion, picnic tables and a kayak launch site.
• AC Delbert Dewey’s Municipal Pier243 River Road, Oak Hill. According to the Oak Hill city site, the facility will include a 520-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating.
• Bird Watching Pier Located on River Road, across from the AC Delbert Municipal Pier (see above), the facility features a 100 foot observation pier.
Rocket launch photo from Port Orange, Florida
Rocket launch photo from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Rocket launch photo from Daytona Beach, Florida
Rocket launch photo from Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida
Sangalang is lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. twitter Or Instagram translatorSupport local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
