Launch · Falcon 9 · Space Launch Complex 40

Where to watch Bandwagon 5

Dedicated Mid-Inclination Rideshare

Is it worth the drive?

• Could go either way

  Steven's Outlook puts the odds of acceptable launch weather at 50 to 65%. Main concern: Wind near 25 mph at the pad; the limit is 30.

• Booster recovery: moderate to high risk

  Seas 9–14 ft every 10 s, wind 15–25 mph where the ship waits.

  Ship position from the published notice · The 45th says moderate to high risk

• 10 of the last 10 went on the first try

  That is how Falcon 9 launches from Florida have gone lately, not counting Starlink. The rest scrubbed at least once before flying.

• Playalinda Beach

  Usually open at liftoff: park hours are 6 AM–6 PM.

What you'll see

• Direction of flight: south-east (per Ben Cooper, launchphotography.com)
• Booster: The booster lands at sea (A Shortfall of Gravitas)

About the mission

Dedicated rideshare flight to a mid-inclination orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. This launch also carries the second demonstration mission for SpaceX’s Project Starfall, which aims to mass-produce reentry capsules designed to autonomously transport valuable customer experiments and other payloads safely back from space to Earth, including for in-orbit manufacturing. Starfall is a cylindrical shaped capsule approximately 0.75 meters tall with a diameter of 3.1 meters, weighing approximately 2100 kilograms, and capable of carrying 1000 kilograms of payload. It is designed to be carried on Starship flights.

Where to stand for a launch from Space Launch Complex 40

Public spots that are open for this pad, in my own words. The map shows each one against the pad.

• Playalinda Beach

  This is about as far as you can go on Playalinda Beach for launch viewing. Some tips: - Beach opening hours do not adjust for a launch. If a launch gets postponed to be after park closing hours, you will be forced to leave. - Playalinda has closed for launches in the past, but recently it has remained open. - This is my personal favorite public launch viewing spot! Even if a launch scrubs, you still get a nice beach day. - From this spot, you may not be able to see (all of) the rocket ahead of launch, but it will be visible within 5 seconds of liftoff! - The view in this picture is a launch from Pad 40. If the launch is from 39-A, you'll be twice as close!

• Playalinda Beach - Elevated Boardwalk

  In each of the parking complexes, you will have to take an elevated boardwalk to get to the beach.   Many people choose to use this boardwalk platform as a way to see the entire rocket on the launchpad prior to launch!  If that is a priority, this may be your spot!

• Jetty Park Pier

  A fixed concrete pier at Jetty Park, one of the closest locations south of the launch pads.  This is a great spot when optimizing for booster landings. Admissions can be tricky, so make sure to check latest ticketing information from their official website.

• Max Brewer Bridge

  A nice elevated view to be able to see most of the launch pads.  During major launches, the entire bridge can be shut down to allow pedestrian traffic.

• Cherie Down Park

  This spot generally has decent parking and can be a good alternative to Jetty Park.  In reality, this marker represents the fact that any spot up and down this stretch of beach is a great view, especially for booster landings.

• Space View Park

  Nice public park on the water with good views!

Viewing guides

• Falcon 9
• All viewing guides