NASA SpaceX Crew-3: Can I see rocket launch from Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Martin County?

Jennifer Sangalang and Emre Kelly, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·5 min read

There's so much to do in the 772! And that includes watching an occasional rocket launch.

NASA and SpaceX are prepping for its Crew-3 launch from Kennedy Space Center in neighboring Brevard County, and folks on the Treasure Coast may get a cool view of the nighttime rocket launch.

About the SpaceX Crew-3 rocket launch

Originally set for Halloween, the SpaceX Crew-3 mission has been delayed several times since late October because of weather and a Crew-3 minor medical issue with one of the crew. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled no earlier than 9:03 p.m. ET Wednesday. An on-time launch would see that Crew Dragon dock with the ISS at 7:10 p.m. Thursday.

Things to know about NASA and SpaceX Crew-3 launch and its astronauts

Crew-3 includes NASA astronauts Kayla Barron, Raja Chari and Thomas Marshburn and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer. Their mission will include science experiments and spacewalks and is scheduled to last about six months.

Weather for a Wednesday night launch attempt looks more favorable than last week at 80% "go" around the pad. Factors not calculated into that number – upper-level winds, weather along the trajectory, at-sea conditions for a booster landing, and solar flare activity – were all listed as "low risk."

Spectators should be prepared for a northeastern trajectory when Falcon 9 vaults off the pad Wednesday night with Crew-3. About eight minutes after liftoff, its 162-foot first stage booster will target a drone ship landing in the Atlantic.

If successful, this would be the fifth SpaceX mission that launched humans into space.

SpaceX crewed launches: Tom Cruise, Netflix, other fun things to know about them

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, FLORIDA TODAY, a sister newspaper to TCPalm, will host live coverage of SpaceX Crew-3 launch, which includes an interactive chat with their space reporter, videos and a livestream. Visit floridatoday.com/space.

Can I see SpaceX rocket launch from Indian River County?

Depending on the trajectory, it is possible to see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center if you're in Indian River County.

After liftoff, the NASA and SpaceX Crew-3 launch will move toward the northeast. According to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team, the northern part of the Treasure Coast and Indian River County should see the launch, but it also depends on local weather.

Spectators should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

Here are some places in Indian River County to watch the launch:

• Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach. It's $8 per vehicle with a limit of eight people per vehicle. Call 321-984-4852 or visit floridastateparks.org/Sebastian-Inlet.

• Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach. More of a parking area than a park, this spot, which has free parking, should give you an unobstructed view of the launch.

• Alma Lee Loy Bridge aka the 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach spans the intracoastal waterway in Indian River County. For directions, the intersection is 17th Street and Indian River Boulevard.

• Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, off Indian River Boulevard and Riverside Park Drive

• Wabasso Beach Park, 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, offers free parking.

• South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach. This park has free parking.

Can I see SpaceX rocket launch from Martin County?

Depending on the trajectory, it is possible to see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center if you're in Martin County.

After liftoff, the NASA and SpaceX Crew-3 launch will move toward the northeast. According to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team, the northern part of the Treasure Coast should see the launch, but it also depends on local weather.

Spectators should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

Here are some places in Martin County to watch the launch.

• House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, a maritime museum in Martin County. Normally, if you stop by the house, it's $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children — however, according to its website, as of Nov. 9, "the House of Refuge Museum is closed for construction." Call 772-225-1961 or visit https://hsmc-fl.com/house-of-refuge.

• Jensen Beach Causeway, N.E. Causeway Boulevard

• Stuart Causeway in Stuart will have a good view, but be mindful of traffic and rights of way.

Can I see SpaceX rocket launch from St. Lucie County?

Depending on the trajectory, it is possible to see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center if you're in St. Lucie County. The best views here are along the beaches. Look north.

After liftoff, the NASA and SpaceX Crew-3 launch will move toward the northeast. According to FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team, the northern part of the Treasure Coast should see the launch, but it also depends on local weather.

Spectators should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

Here are some places in St. Lucie County to watch the launch.

• Fort Pierce Inlet, 905 Shorewinds Drive. Cost is $6 per vehicle. Call 772-468-3985 or visit floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-pierce-inlet-state-park.

• Jetty Park, 2098 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce

Contributing: Ginny Beagan, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: NASA, SpaceX rocket launch in Florida: Where to see on Treasure Coast