Rocket Launch from KSC on December 16th

[Lulubelle17]

Hello!

I just found out that there will be a rocket launch on 12/16 around 1:30 pm from KSC. Will it be visible from the ship??? My kids would be so excited!

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/...&spJobID=941242914&spReportId=OTQxMjQyOTE0S00

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello!

I just found out that there will be a rocket launch on 12/16 around 1:30 pm from KSC. Will it be visible from the ship??? My kids would be so excited!

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/...&spJobID=941242914&spReportId=OTQxMjQyOTE0S00

Best answer - maybe.

Is that your embarkation day? Then you're more likely to see it.

I will point out, however, rocket launches are notorious for NOT going off when they're scheduled for. That is, it will still launch, just not at the time everyone was prepared for. This could be due to many things - weather, electronic failures among them.

 

[Lulubelle17]

Best answer - maybe.

Is that your embarkation day? Then you're more likely to see it.

I will point out, however, rocket launches are notorious for NOT going off when they're scheduled for. This could be due to many things - weather, electronic failures among them.

Yes, that is my embarkation day, I won't tell the kids so they're not disappointed if it doesn't happen!

 

[RedSox68]

I have always wanted to see one of those. I hope it happens for you and your kids!

 

[rhinodadz]

The Atlas launches tend to go as scheduled unless weather is an issue. From the upper deck of the ship you'll pretty much have a front row seat. Just check the KSC website for delays.

 

[NS8VN]

Oh you'll be able to see it alright, the port is nearly as close as the viewing area at the KSC visitor complex. I would be following their twitter for instant updates on countdown and any delays.

Lucky, the only launch I have seen in person was a shuttle launch in '01, and that was from the Contemporary resort. Yes, the shuttle SRB's were plenty bright to see from Orlando. Now that they retired it I am glad I at least got to see that.

 

[Sytrace]

This was taken from Deck 11 from the Dream last Friday. The NASA building is to the right and pretty visible. If the launch happens as planned, you will have a very good view of it.

The night launches are very visible from our backyard in East Orlando (45 minutes away from Port Canaveral) so they will be amazing from the ship. Fingers crossed for you all that it happens as planned!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I have always wanted to see a launch! Hope it all goes well and you get to see it. We saw some of the Space X boosters that were on the platform as our cruise left in April. My teen son was so excited just to see that. I believe it was the first successful launch where they had been recovered.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Best answer - maybe.

Is that your embarkation day? Then you're more likely to see it.

I will point out, however, rocket launches are notorious for NOT going off when they're scheduled for. This could be due to many things - weather, electronic failures among them.

I agree. I can see some of the launches from my back yard (live on Space Coast) and they rarely go off at the scheduled time or even day. We had a launch a few nights ago it it was delayed. A couple of weeks ago one was delayed due to a boat in the area.

 

[steves100]

I was lucky enough to see a shuttle take off before a cruise, pure luck! Its schedule was changed like 5 times. People used to actually schedule vacation around launches, group form UK was next to us on the sand, this was their last attempt had to go back next day. It was very cool. What was weird to me was you see the action but dont hear it for like 15 seconds, due to the distance away.

 

[Lulubelle17]

Thanks everyone! I'm crossing my fingers that it goes as planned. We're going to KSC after we disembark on the 19th, so either way we'll have a chance to explore the area, but it would be really cool to see the launch!

 

[bumbershoot]

I have what feels like a silly question, but how far away from the coast can you see it? We will be in San Juan for it; is that just too far away once it gets high enough?

I was lucky enough to see a shuttle take off before a cruise, pure luck!

Saw one (my only one) by total chance while walking to the start of a wdw Half marathon one early morning. We all just stopped and stared. The Floridians around us let us know what it was.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I have what feels like a silly question, but how far away from the coast can you see it? We will be in San Juan for it; is that just too far away once it gets high enough?



Saw one (my only one) by total chance while walking to the start of a wdw Half marathon one early morning. We all just stopped and stared. The Floridians around us let us know what it was.

It goes out over the Atlantic...you might have a better chance if it was a night launch.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Off topic...If anyone wants to get kids excited in science I highly recommend this site https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/

I get email notices to see the ISS in my area. It's fun to watch it come over head on a clear night.

 

[over50visits]

Launches are very visible from the ship. One of the best seats the public can get. This last Wednesday night there was a 7pm launch. No Disney ships in port, but a Carnival ship delayed departure until just before the launch. We're guessing it was so the passengers would get a spectacular view from just offshore. And it was a clear night, picture perfect launch, and spectacular.

The best answer is YES, you will almost certainly see it. Despite what some people wrongly think, they have an excellent record for on time launches. Last minute electronic problems pop up and there is a crew standing by to effect immediate fixes/repairs as needed. As another example, launches rarely scrub completely for weather. If there is weather in the area, they can still launch over a time period after the launch (for example, the most recent launch had a 4 hour delay window possible) depending on the weather opening up for long enough to launch (even with thunderstorms nearby). Since the launch is scheduled for 1:22, and your ship doesn't leave until about 4 or so, be prepared to be awed.

 

[bobyetman]

You'll want to go the stern of the ship to get an un-obstructed view. I'm jealous, wish I was there to see it, we can never seem to time our cruises for a launch, though I did get to see a shuttle launch from KSC way back in 2000/2001.

 

[EricaG]

We are on that same cruise and also going to KSC when we disembark! Unfortunately, now the calendar is saying the launch is scheduled for the 18th, not the 16th. I suppose there is always a chance that it will get pushed to the 19th so we could try and view it from KSC, but as of now it doesn't look like we'll see it from the ship.