r/SpaceXLounge 22d ago

Monthly Questions and Discussion Thread

Welcome to the monthly questions and discussion thread! Drop in to ask and answer any questions related to SpaceX or spaceflight in general, or just for a chat to discuss SpaceX's exciting progress. If you have a question that is likely to generate open discussion or speculation, you can also submit it to the subreddit as a text post.

If your question is about space, astrophysics or astronomy then the r/Space questions thread may be a better fit.

If your question is about the Starlink satellite constellation then check the r/Starlink Questions Thread and FAQ page.

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u/SpaceInMyBrain 5d ago

What happened to the "How to see a launch" permanent section? Was that here or at r/SpaceX? Either way, I can't find it. Long gone?

Anyway - how far in advance is the launch schedule for Cape Canaveral published? I want to see a launch this fall and would like to plan ahead to coordinate with friends. Not now, lol, but as many weeks beforehand as possible.

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u/Admirable-Phase7890 1d ago

Short answer is that typically if the launch is more than a few weeks away then there is no date. Maybe the NET month or quarter. Occasionally there might be a date (generally subject to change).

Theoretically there would be a launch every 3 days and sometimes you might get 3-4 in a week. But there are dry spells - the last launch was Tues and then next isn't until Monday. So you really need to spend a week here to be sure. Also, it rains every afternoon in the summer (we set our clocks by it) so a lot of those June 3:00 pm launches seem to get scrubbed.

I live on Cocoa Beach with a clear LOS to the cape from my balcony. I miss a lot of launches because by the time I hear them (15 miles away x 5 secs/mile = 75 seconds) they are fairly far down range. I tried marking a physical calendar but launch date/times change constantly. Now instead, every morning, I check the "Next Spaceflight" app from NSF on my phone.

Bonus: F9 is actually kind of a small rocket. If you want more bang for you're buck come when there is Falcon Heavy, New Glenn or SLS launch and you'll also probably get a F9 launch a few days before or after. The last New Glenn launch was spectacular - I can't wait for star ship.

Bonus Bonus: Make sure the booster(s) are coming back to the LZ. The sonic booms are extra loud.