residents of Vero Beach and the wider Treasure Coast are in for a potential celestial display this Thursday night. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, and the late-night timing suggests it could provide a spectacular light show for observers along our local coastline.
The mission aims to send a batch of 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Because the rocket will follow a southeast trajectory, the ascent is expected to be highly visible from Indian River County beaches and bridges, provided the weather cooperates and cloud cover remains minimal.
Launch Details to Know:
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 29
- Time: 11:01 p.m. ET
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Launch Site: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Trajectory: Southeast
Night launches are favorites among locals and photographers because the contrast between the dark sky and the bright rocket exhaust often creates a visual phenomenon.
When there’s a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there’s an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky, and the contrail after makes for a great photo.
Where to Watch in Vero Beach and Indian River County
If you are planning to stay up late to catch the liftoff, heading to the beach or an elevated viewpoint is your best bet for an unobstructed view of the horizon. Here are the specific local viewing locations recommended for this launch:
- Sebastian Inlet State Park: 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (Note: State park entry fees apply).
- Wabasso Beach Park: 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso.
- Ambersands Beach Park: 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (Free parking is available).
- South Beach Park: 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (Free parking is available).
- The Bridges: Both the Merrill Barber Bridge and the Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach offer elevated vantage points facing east.
For our neighbors to the south, excellent viewing spots include Fort Pierce Inlet State Park in St. Lucie County and the House of Refuge in Martin County.
While sonic booms are not expected for this specific launch, the visual spectacle of the rocket climbing over the Atlantic Ocean is a hallmark of life on the Treasure Coast. Be sure to check the skyline to the north-northeast just after 11:00 p.m.
