Falcon Heavy USSF-52 X-37B

Falcon Heavy twin side boosters landing at LZ-1 and LZ-2 during the day

Join Star Fleet for the next flight of the Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful operational rocket! It'll be launching on Sunday, December 10 at 8:14 PM EST (01:14 UTC) on the classified USSF-52 mission for the US Space Force, carrying the top-secret X-37B robotic spaceplane as its primary payload. Weather-permitting, Star Fleet plans to go out for both the launch itself, and boat trip to see the rocket up close on the pad the day prior.

This launch will feature a uniquely spectacular twin booster Return to Launch Site landing, and we'll be in an ideal position to view it. Our current nominal planned viewing location, as with previous Falcon Heavy missions, provides both the closest and clearest view of the booster landing available anywhere. It has a clear view of both pads all the way down to the landing legs, and is around or less than 4 mi / 6 km from the landing trajectory as the twin boosters light their engines and arc in almost right over our heads, and around or less than 6 mi / ≈9 km from the landing pad itself. Distance from the launch pad is around 12 mi / 19 km, but also with a clear view and a more favorable angle to the trajectory than any land-based spot, at a closest approach of around 9 mi / 14 km. However, depending on the exact position of the hazard zones and subject to range and USCG clearance, we may actually be able to get up to several miles closer to both launch and landing.

Meanwhile, our pad viewing boat trip will feature an up close and personal view of the rocket standing tall on the launch mount from as close as 500 yd (m) away. Plus, you'll get to see a unique angle on the other KSC and CCSFS pads on the way there and back as well.

LATEST LAUNCH UPDATE: Marine and launch weather forecasts are both looking very unfavorable for launch Sunday evening. The Space Force predicting 90% chance of precipitation, 60% probability of lightning and a chance of severe storms for the afternoon and evening hours. Furthermore, winds are forecast to gust up to 35 knots (≈40 mi/hr, ≈65 km/h) with four to five foot waves. If this forecast holds, a launch is unlikely to occur on the scheduled date, and it would be unpleasant and potentially unsafe to be out on the water. Therefore, we are holding ticket sales for both the launch and pre-launch trips as we continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts, but will open them in the event the forecast indicates conditions will be safe or the launch is rescheduled to another available day. Thanks so much for your patience, and stay tuned for the latest from Star Fleet Command!

Be sure to check our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates on all our activities, as well as announcements of smaller/informal trips, and feel free to reach out over DM if you're interested in a private charter for a specific mission. Thanks!

Falcon Heavy launching during the day, from a public domain USAF photo

Rocket Launch Viewing

Price: $95/person (dependent on boats available)
Launch Time: Sunday, December 10 at 8:14 PM EST (01:14 UTC)
Key Times: T-2 hours | T-1.5 hours | Departure T-1 hour
Location: Sunrise Marina, Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral FL 32920

Great location to view all the key events of the launch
Typically 4-5 miles / 6-8 km from launch or landing
Favorable angle downrange of launch trajectory
Direct view of LC-39A and many other historic CCAFS pads
Magical for night launches as light reflects off the water
Close by to SpaceX landing zones for booster landings
Free parking, a guaranteed spot and no need to show up many hours early

DELAY/SCRUB POLICY: Tickets are generally non-refundable.
See our details page for more information.

Check back soon!

Close-up photo of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on its pad LC-39A, taken on a Star Fleet boat tour

Pre-Launch Pad Trip

Price: ≈$100 per person (boat-dependent)
Dates: Day of launch, TBD
Trip Time: ≈3 hours
Key Times: Checkin T-30 min | Boarding T-15 min | Departure T-0 min
Location: Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral FL 32920

Get an exclusive, up-close look at the rocket and spacecraft on the pad unavailable from any other angle
Chance to view other active rockets on their pads (subject to launch schedules)
See historic Apollo and Shuttle sites, including LC-34, LC-36 and LC-39A/B
Enjoy a unique ocean-side view of every active CCAFS and KSC launch pad
View many sites of interest in Port Canaveral harbor and along the Cape
Travel on a fast, modern 6-12 passenger deep-sea charter vessel

For pre-launch trips,
call/text 321-209-2224