Artemis II may be launching on its crewed moon mission as soon as April 1, but there are multiple ways to see the SLS rocket sitting on the launch pad ahead of its historic Florida liftoff.
SLS is not hidden away, and you do not have to wait for liftoff to see it.
Multiple parks on the Indian River in Titusville provide a view directly across to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral launch pads. At the right location, the general public can get an unobstructed glimpse of history sitting on the launch pad.
NASA’s large Space Launch System moon rocket initially rolled to Pad 39B in late January for the launch of the Artemis II mission. Originally set to launch in February, the mission encountered delays after a prelaunch test saw hydrogen leaks. Then the obstruction of helium flow prompted the rocket to be rolled back to the VAB in late February. Repairs were completed and it was brought back to the launch pad March 20.
The rocket will launch the Orion spacecraft sending commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency on a 10-day journey around the moon.
This will mark the first time since the 1972 Apollo 17 mission that humans have flown in the vicinity of the moon. The test flight of Artemis II will pave the way for Artemis IV, which will land humanity back on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. That is targeting 2028.
To date, the Artemis program saw an uncrewed SLS launch once in late 2022. It was during the reentry that the Orion spacecraft suffered an issue with the heatshield — delaying the launch of Artemis II multiple times as NASA and Lockheed Martin investigated.
Here’s where to spot the SLS rocket on the Florida launch pad before it sends the four astronauts on a journey around the moon.
Best spots see NASA’s SLS ahead of Artemis II in Florida
- Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville
- Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
- Kennedy Point Park, 4915 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32780
- Parrish Park at Titusville, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Pkwy, Titusville, FL 32796
Get closer to NASA’s SLS before the launch of Artemis II
Meanwhile, those seeking a closer view are in luck. Included with admission price, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s bus tour drops visitors off at the Gantry at 39A, which sits approximately one mile from Pad 39B. From the bus tour stop, guests can gaze upon the massive moon rocket looming just down the road.
History meets the present as visitors then board the bus again and travel to the Apollo Saturn V Center. That center looks back at NASA’s first missions to the moon, including the chance to stand under a real Saturn V rocket.
Single day tickets are $77 per person and $67 per child. Locals can purchase annual passes for a year beginning at $149 per adult and $120 per child.
Be aware that space launches can see delays for numerous reasons.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.
