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Excitement at Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Tickets | Hotels Near the Space Center and Port Canaveral

Kennedy Space Center

space coast logoThe John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), situated on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA’s ten field centers. Since December 1968, KSC has been NASA’s primary launch center for human spaceflight, research, and technology. It played a pivotal role in historic missions like Apollo, Skylab, and the Space Shuttle program. The iconic Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center are part of its sprawling 144,000-acre campus. Visitors can explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where exhibits, artifacts, and the Shuttle Landing Facility offer glimpses into our cosmic endeavors. Kennedy Space Center Tour From Orlando

Launches at Kennedy Space Center

Launch Pads at Kennedy Space Center. The Kennedy Space Center supports launches for NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance. In 2023, a record-breaking number of 69 orbital launches took off from the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. This increased tempo surpassed the previous all-time high of 57 launches in 2022, and it’s a testament to the continued advancements in space exploration and technology. The Space Coast is buzzing with activity as we witness more rockets reaching for the stars!

Tour include bus transportation from Orlando and return plus admission to the Kennedy Space Center.

Watch Rocket Launches from Your Hotel or Condo Rental on the beach

The last manned rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center brought 100,000 visitors to the Space Coast to witness this historic event. There are launches almost every week at the Kennedy Space center and the best way to witness a rocket launch is from your hotel. Now is the time to book your hotel reservations near the Kennedy Space Center.

Launch Sites

All Florida rocket launches originate from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or the Kennedy Space Center. Several launch pads are currently used at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, depending on the entity launching the rocket.

All launch sites are located on a barrier island along Florida's east coast, about 50 miles due east of Orlando and known as Cape Canaveral. Nearby Patrick Space Force Base supports security for all launches and NASA recovery efforts for manned spacecraft.

SpaceX uses several launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). The Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket will also launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station:

Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has been refitted by Blue Origin for launching its New Glenn Spacecraft.

Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center: This historic pad has been used for Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. SpaceX leases this pad and uses it for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches, including crewed missions for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. This site will be the future launch site of the SpaceX Starship which anticpates 44 launches per year.

Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B) at Kennedy Space Center is the launch site for the the rocket being used for both the Artemis II and Artemis III missions which is NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). The SLS is the most powerful rocket ever built and is designed to launch astronauts and cargo beyond Earth's orbit1. For these missions, the SLS will be in its Block 1 configuration, which includes the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS)

Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40): Located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, this pad is primarily used for Falcon 9 launches. It has been extensively modified and upgraded by SpaceX.

Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station: This area is used for Falcon 9 first-stage booster landings after launch.

Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station: This pad is used for United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket launches, but SpaceX has also used it for some of its missions.

SpaceX in Florida

SpaceX is by far the most prolific launch company at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX was the first private company to launch and return a spacecraft from Earth Orbit. The workhorse for SpaceX is the Falcon 1 rocket, designed for small satellite launches, demonstrated cost-effectiveness and innovation. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon transports astronauts to the ISS, revolutionizing space travel. SpaceX has prioritized reusable rockets, significantly reducing costs compared to traditional one-time-use vehicles.

SpaceX also delivers supplies to ISS under a NASA contract that it shares with Northrop Gruman.

In 2024, SpaceX has conducted a flurry of launches. The company aims to achieve an impressive pace of approximately one launch every two days throughout the year, totaling around 180 launches if they maintain this rate. These launches will cover a wide range of missions, from deploying satellites to crewed missions and scientific endeavors.

SpaceX Starship Program Slated to Move to Florida

SpaceX is anticipating moving its Starship launches to Kennedy Space Center in Florida from Boca Chica, Texas. It has requested governmental approval from FAA and NASA regarding the implications of such a move. SpaceX has already constructed a launch tower for the Starship on launch site 39A in anticpation of the move.

There are several reasons for such a move.

Geographic Advantage: Florida's location near the equator allows rockets to take advantage of the Earth's rotation, providing an extra boost to reach orbit more efficiently.

Infrastructure: Florida's Space Coast, particularly Cape Canaveral, has well-established infrastructure and facilities for launching rockets, including launch pads, tracking systems, and support services.

Experience: SpaceX has a long history of launching rockets from Florida, including the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, which makes it a familiar and reliable location for their operations.

NASA Collaboration: Florida is home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and other important NASA facilities, facilitating collaboration on projects like the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and eventually Mars. The SpaceX Human Landing System (HLS) will take astronauts from orbit to the moon's surface and back to the orbiting space ship..

Launching Starship from Florida would leverage these advantages and support SpaceX's ambitious goals for space exploration.

Blue Origin Florida - New Glenn Rocket

Blue Origin has expanded its facilities near the Kennedy Space Center, which are used for various purposes. One of the most notable facilities is the massive rocket factory at Kennedy Space Center’s Exploration Park, which Blue Origin moved into in December 2017. The factory is used to manufacture and provision commercial space launch vehicles, including Blue Origin’s reusable New Glenn rockets.

Additionally, Blue Origin has renovated Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to accommodate launches of the New Glenn Rocket. The first launch from launch pad is scheduled for late 2024. This will be the first live test for the New Glenn Rocket so it has a lot riding on this test.

Blue Origin has also opened a new exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The exhibit features a replica of Blue Origin’s New Shepard crew capsule, which provides a virtual-reality experience of the rocket’s journey in space. The New Shepard is a Space Tourism rocket launched from Bezzo's Corn Ranch in Texas.

United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance (ULA): ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, contributes to launches from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. In 2024, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully completed seven launches. These included missions using both the Atlas V and Vulcan rockets, supporting a variety of customers such as NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and commercial clients.

In 2025, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) will be actively involved in several key missions. ULA has been selected by the U.S. Space Force for 12 military satellite launches. These missions are part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program, which aims to provide reliable and secure launch services for national security payloads.

The Vulcan Centaur rocket is United Launch Alliance's (ULA) next-generation launch vehicle designed to replace the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. Here are some key details about the Vulcan Centaur and its capabilities:

Vulcan Centaur Rocket Launch Site: The Vulcan Centaur will primarily launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Configuration: The rocket is a two-stage vehicle. First Stage: Powered by two BE-4 engines, which use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants. The BE-4 engines are developed by Blue Origin and provide a combined thrust of around 1.1 million pounds.

Second Stage: The Centaur V upper stage is powered by two RL10 engines, which use liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants. The Centaur V is an evolved version of the Centaur upper stage used on the Atlas V rocket.

Strap-On Boosters: The Vulcan Centaur can be configured with up to six solid rocket boosters (SRBs) to enhance its lift capability. Capabilities Payload Capacity: The Vulcan Centaur can carry payloads ranging from small satellites to large interplanetary missions. It is designed to support a variety of missions, including commercial, civil, and national security space missions.

Flexibility: The rocket can be configured with different numbers of SRBs to meet specific mission requirements, providing flexibility in launch capabilities.

Reusability: The first stage of the Vulcan Centaur is designed to be recoverable and reusable in the future, which will help reduce launch costs.

Missions National Security: ULA has been awarded contracts for several national security missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. These missions include launching military satellites and other critical payloads for the U.S. Space Force.

Commercial: The Vulcan Centaur is also slated to launch commercial payloads, including satellites for communication, Earth observation, and other applications.

Interplanetary: The rocket is capable of launching interplanetary missions, making it a versatile option for deep space exploration. The Vulcan Centaur's advanced capabilities and flexibility make it a key player in the future of space exploration and satellite deployment.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman has a contract with NASA to deliver supplies to the International Space Center as does SpaceX. In the past Northrop Grumman has used its Antares Rocket for its delivery service. However, rocket components for the Antares Rockets were supplied by the Russians which subsequently became an unreliable source. Therefore, Northrop Grumman is actively working on an upgraded version called the Antares 330 in partnership with Firefly Aerospace.

This new version will feature domestically manufactured components, including Firefly's Miranda engines, to replace the Russian RD-181 engines. In 2025, the Northrop Grumman Antares 330 rocket is scheduled to make three flights from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to the International Space Station. These missions are part of the ongoing Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract Northrop Grumman has with NASA to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

Reasons for Launching from Wallops:

Proximity to the ISS: Wallops Flight Facility is located on the East Coast, which allows for efficient launches to rendezvous with the ISS.

Launch Infrastructure: Wallops has the necessary infrastructure and facilities to support Antares launches, including the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS).

Cost-Effectiveness: Launching from Wallops can be more cost-effective compared to other launch sites due to its lower operational costs and proximity to key NASA facilities.

Support for Commercial Missions: Wallops is designed to support both government and commercial missions, making it an ideal location for Northrop Grumman's resupply missions.

Boeing Starliner Fails

Space Launch System (SLS): Boeing is the prime contractor for the design, development, and production of the SLS core stage, which is part of NASA's Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the moon and eventually Mars.

Communications: Boeing builds advanced satellites, including the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), which provide high-bandwidth communications between Earth-orbiting spacecraft and ground facilities.

In view of problems with the Boeing Starliner project one option being considered is a Starliner cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS). This uncrewed mission would test the spacecraft's repairs and help pave the way for certification for operational crew missions. However, Boeing has not yet made a final decision on the future of the Starliner program.

Update: NASA Clears Boeing’s Starliner From 2025 Schedule. In a move that should surprise no one, the folks at NASA officially pulled Boeing’s Starliner off of the federal space agency’s 2025 lineup this week.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing is considering putting some of its space businesses, including Starliner, up for sale. This suggests that if Boeing can get a return on its investment in Starliner, it probably would be inclined to take the money. To date, the company has reported losses of $1.85 billion on Starliner. As a result, Boeing has told NASA it will no longer bid on fixed-price space contracts in the future.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASA is a United States government agency that manages the country's space and aviation-related science and technology. While not a commercial company, NASA is a key player at the Kennedy Space Center. Their crewed missions, scientific endeavors, and lunar exploration programs contribute to the spaceport’s activity. Notably, the Commercial Crew Program collaborates with SpaceX for crewed missions to the International Space Station.

Artimis Program

The Artemis program is NASA's initiative to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there by the late 2020s. Named after the Greek goddess of the moon and twin sister of Apollo, the program aims to build on the legacy of the Apollo missions. The Artemis program consists of a series of missions, starting with uncrewed tests and culminating in crewed landings on the lunar surface.

The key components of the Artemis program include the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built, and the Orion spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts to the Moon and back. The program also involves the development of the Lunar Gateway, a space station that will orbit the Moon and serve as a staging point for lunar landings and other deep-space missions. Artemis I, an uncrewed mission, tested the SLS and Orion in 2022.

Artemis II, slated for September 2025, will be the first crewed mission, taking astronauts around the Moon. Artemis III, planned for the future, aims to land the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface. The program's ultimate goal is to enable long-term lunar exploration and prepare for future missions to Mars.

Artemis II will launch from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This historic pad has been used for many significant missions, including the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs.

The Artemis II mission involves collaboration between several key players: Lockheed Martin is responsible for building the Orion capsule, which will carry astronauts around the moon. Boeing is producing flight hardware for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will launch the Orion capsule. Northrop Grumman provides the solid rocket boosters for the SLS and other components for the Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System.

Launch Delays

On occasion there are launch delays caused by local weather or weather down range. Delays may also be generated by technical issues, but those are more infrequent than in the past. If you book your hotel for several days you will still be able to see a delayed launch and enjoy the great beaches and sea food in a meantime .

Come for the Launch - Stay for the Beaches

Many of these launch hotels are on the beach so you can enjoy the ocean views and beach activities as you long as you want. There are few people on the beach early in the morning so it is a good time to take a walk or swim. The Space Coast features 72 miles of pristine beaches so you can walk all you want.

Port Canaveral and Florida Cruises

Another great cruise season is beginning in Florida and there is no better cruise port than Port Canaveral, just 45 minutes east of Orlando on Florida's Space Coast. Voted the best cruise ship port in the world, and already the second busiest, Port Canaveral is a destination in itself. The Port is home to Disney Cruise lines, and also hosts Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Two Fantastic New Cruise Ships now sailing from Port Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast

The Royal Caribbean's spectacular new natural gas powered and largest ship, Icon of the Seas, cruises from Port Canaveral weekly. Additionally, Disney's newest and largest ship, the Disney Treasure, has joined the other Disney cruise ships at Port Canaveral. Both of these ships will offer the most spectacular cruise ship experiences ever. Book a great cruise and book Hotels at Port Canaveral

Drive to Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is a drivable destination for most areas of the Southeast United States and frequent flights into Orlando International Airport are available from everywhere. Rental cars or busses are the favorite mode of transportation for the fifty mile trip east from Orlando to Port Canaveral for those who fly in to Orlando International Airport (MCO).


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