Falcon Heavy USSF-52 X-37B
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 11 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.
LATEST LAUNCH UPDATE: With the 24 hour launch delay to the night of Monday, December 11 and expected good launch weather, we have opened up reservations for this trip! While seas are expected to be moderately choppy around launch time, our captains have confirmed it will be safe to go out in our larger vessel, Ocean Obsession II, though we may not be able to get quite as close as usual should seas prove worse than expected. While Star Fleet leadership are not able to be present in person for scheduling reasons, due to high popular demand from our long-time, dedicated passengers, we will still be offering a trip with our volunteer hosts and our experienced captains, for those still interested in seeing the launch. As always, please reach out and ask via phone (321-209-2224) or social media should you have any questions. Thanks!
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!
Rocket Launch Viewing
Price: $99/person
Launch Time: Sunday, December 11 at 8:14 PM EST (01:14 UTC)
Key Times: Checkin 6:00 | Boarding 6:30 | Departure 7:00
Location: Sunrise Marina, 505 Glen Cheek Dr., Port 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!
Pre-Launch Pad Trip
Price: ≈$100 per person (boat-dependent)
Dates: Not scheduled for this launch
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