(This story was updated with new information. ULA Atlas V rocket launch scrubbed. A new time and day was announced.)
Will people in Fort Myers and Naples see a rocket in the sky?
A so Florida thing is coming up − and it’s possible people can see it far beyond the Sunshine State.
United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket attempted to launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, Nov. 5, during a 44-minute window opening at 10:24 p.m. ET. A scrub was announced before 11 p.m. Wednesday. Next attempt is 10:16 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 6. A visibility map from ULA shows the trajectory and flight path (see below).
Depending on weather and cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville, Cape Coral and Miami could see it light up the sky after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Visibility from most of Florida is possible, according to ULA.
What’s on board ULA Atlas V? The ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2), described as an “ultra-high-capacity broadband spacecraft” for the company Viasat. The spacecraft is expected to greatly increase the current capability of Viasat’s satellite fleet.
This Atlas V launch will see the rocket quickly propelled off the pad under the power of five solid rocket boosters — giving a great show to those watching.
In Florida, we can best see this moment in person, particularly if you’re anywhere on the Space Coast (Melbourne, Florida, area), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce).
This satellite rocket launch is extra special because of the potential to see it in other states. In the past, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of SpaceX Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach. Other rocket launches have been spotted in New Jersey and Georgia.
ULA’s Atlas V rocket should be visible for most of Florida pending weather and clouds.
Below is information on ULA’s powerful rocket, the Atlas V, how to watch the Viasat rocket launch and suggestions on where to watch it from Florida and beyond.
What time is Viasat rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? When does United Launch Alliance Atlas V liftoff?
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the second mission for Viasat, the second of a planned constellation of three Ka-band communications satellites. A scrub was announced before 11 p.m. Wednesday. Next attempt is 10:16 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 6. Launch location is Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Equipped with five side-mounted rocket boosters, the Atlas V may be visible for most of Florida and in other states.
Which cities, states can see ULA Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida?
ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Atlas V launch of ViaSat-3 F2 for the company Viasat and its intended flight path and launch visibility. Note: Cities in the Space Coast of Florida, which is in Brevard County and measures 72 miles of coast, include Titusville, Mims, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Grant-Valkaria and Sebastian.
Launch, Space Coast, east Orlando, near University of Central Florida, Bithlo, the northern part of the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, parts of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill
1: Launch + 60 seconds, Space Coast, Orlando, the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill, Volusia County, St. Augustine, Ocala, Lakeland area
2: Launch + 90 seconds, which includes PLF Jettison or separation and jettison of the payload fairing: Space Coast, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Port Orange, Volusia County, Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee, Central Florida, Ocala, Lakeland, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach
3: Launch + 150 seconds, which includes solid rocket booster jettison, visibility extends to Sebring, Winter Haven, Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Collier County, Lee County, Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, southern Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, parts of the Caribbean, the Bahamas; visibility extends beyond Florida to Georgia
4: Launch + 210 seconds, which includes booster separation, possibly Tallahassee, Leon County; parts of the Big Bend area of Florida; visibility extends beyond Florida to Georgia, the coast of South Carolina, parts of the coast of North Carolina
5: Launch + 270 seconds, ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other states and cities:
6: Launch + 330 seconds, ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these areas:
7: Launch + 390 seconds, visibility of Atlas V rocket may be possible in these locations:
The above guidelines are estimates based on the graphic provided by ULA.
Photos of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida
How to watch Viasat rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. What time does ULA Atlas V liftoff?
When and where: Full coverage of the launch, including a live webcast with live tweets and updates, kicks off 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space (you can type this on your browser on your phone) and will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our FLORIDA TODAY space team reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards questions and strike up a conversation. You also can watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser. FLORIDA TODAY is part of the USA TODAY Network.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
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Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, may be visible in Fort Myers and Naples
Reporting by Jennifer Sangalang, Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
