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35 minutes ago
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ULA rocket launch from Florida may be visible in Sarasota, Tampa, Clearwater
When rockets launch in Florida, they blast off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or from Cape Canaveral on the East Coast, about an hour away from the Orlando theme parks. It's rare when cities on the West Coast of Florida can see a rocket launch in the sky. Enter United Launch Alliance's mighty Vulcan rocket. The space agency will launch its third Vulcan rocket into space carrying two U.S. national security satellites − and it's possible people can see the massive rocket far outside of Florida. When ULA launches its Vulcan rocket, depending on cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville, Cape Coral and Miami could see it light up the sky after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Visibility from most of Florida is possible, according to ULA. What's on board ULA Atlas V? Equipped with four solid rocket boosters, ULA's third Vulcan rocket will launch two U.S. national security satellites into geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. On Aug. 7, the space agency released a movie poster promoting the ULA Vulcan rocket launch complete with taglines, "Precision. Power. Purpose." and "national security begins at liftoff." The company released a movie trailer that day, too. The movie poster, movie trailer and mission patch, for the "ULA Vulcan USSF-106" mission feature a strong, god-like figure wielding a hammer (like Marvel's Thor), all with the same message: Coming soon, Aug. 12, 2025. A day ahead of liftoff, ULA continued with its heavy social media promotion, posting photos and video of the rocket rollout to the launch pad. Business is booming: Florida's Space Coast is one of fastest-growing economies in U.S. In Florida, we can best see this moment in person, particularly if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Melbourne, Florida area), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce). 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. The ULA Vulcan rocket launch is extra special because of the potential to see it far beyond the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. In the past, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of SpaceX Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach. Other rocket launches have been spotted in New Jersey and Georgia. ULA's Vulcan rocket could be visible for most of Florida pending weather and clouds. Below is information on ULA's powerful rocket, the Vulcan, how to watch the rocket launch and suggestions on where to watch it from Florida and beyond. Rocket launches in Florida (a big list): Here's a roundup of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral and NASA's Kennedy Space Center When is the next rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Tuesday, August 12: United Launch Alliance USSF-106 Mission: Equipped with four solid rocket boosters, ULA's third Vulcan rocket will launch two U.S. national security satellites into geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. Launch window: 7:59 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 Trajectory: Due east Launch location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network's Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type into your browser. ULA Vulcan rocket launch photos in Florida: How big is Vulcan? Where in Florida can I watch ULA Vulcan liftoff, rocket launch in person? In Florida, we can best see this moment in person if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). However, people in Jacksonville, far north of Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach, far south of Cape Canaveral, have posted rocket launch photos and video on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, especially on Florida's Space Coast, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic. A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a 'rumble' can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County after liftoff. Where to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch in Daytona Beach area of Florida List of Brevard County cities to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida Where to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch from Treasure Coast of Florida Where to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch from West Palm Beach area of Florida Where to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch in Jacksonville, Florida Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch near NASA and Kennedy Space Center? Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Which cities can see ULA Vulcan rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Can I watch ULA rocket launch from Florida? ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Vulcan rocket launch and its intended flight path and launch visibility. Its trajectory is due east. Note: Cities in the Space Coast of Florida, which is in Brevard County and measures 72 miles of coast, include Titusville, Mims, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Grant-Valkaria and Sebastian. Launch, Space Coast, east Orlando, near University of Central Florida, Bithlo, the northern part of the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, parts of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill 1: Launch + 30 seconds, which includes solid rocket booster jettison, Space Coast, Orlando, the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill, Volusia County, St. Augustine, Ocala, Lakeland area 2: Launch + 90 seconds, Space Coast, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Port Orange, Volusia County, Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee, Central Florida, Ocala, Lakeland, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, parts of the Caribbean, the Bahamas 3: Launch + 150 seconds, which includes PLF Jettison (or jettison of the payload fairing) and booster separation, visibility extends to Sebring, Winter Haven, Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Collier County, Lee County, Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, possibly the coast of southern Georgia, the Caribbean, the Bahamas 4: Launch + 210 seconds, Sebring, Winter Haven, Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Collier County, Lee County, Clearwater; visibility extends beyond Florida to Georgia, South Carolina, parts of North Carolina 5: Launch + 270 seconds, ULA Vulcan rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other locations: Turks and Caicos 6: Launch + 330 seconds, ULA Vulcan rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other locations: Turks and Caicos Bermuda 7: Launch + 390 seconds, visibility of Vulcan rocket may be possible here: Turks and Caicos Bermuda The above guidelines are estimates based on the graphic provided by ULA. How to watch ULA Vulcan rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Florida, what time does ULA Vulcan liftoff? How to watch online, from your phone, iPad or tablet with USA TODAY Network Space Team coverage When and where: Full coverage of the launch, including a live webcast with live tweets and updates, kicks off two hours before liftoff at (you can type this on your browser on your phone) and will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our FLORIDA TODAY space team reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards questions and strike up a conversation. You also can watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type into your browser. FLORIDA TODAY is part of the USA TODAY Network. Click here to download FLORIDA TODAY app on App Store Click here to download FLORIDA TODAY app on Google Play Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida rocket launch map: Will ULA Vulcan be seen in Sarasota, Tampa? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
This Hypersonic Space Plane Will Fly From London to N.Y.C. in an Hour
After the NASA space shuttle was retired in 2011, it seemed like space planes might become relics. But they are on a comeback. U.S. companies Sierra Space Corp., Dawn Aerospace, and Radian Aerospace have all introduced their own versions of an aircraft that takes off like a plane, but soars like a rocket. Virgin Galactic soon plans to introduce the Delta version of its space plane. Among militaries, the U.S. Air Force operates a robotic orbital space plane called the X-37B, while China has a similar aircraft called Shelong. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently jumped into the burgeoning space-plane sector, announcing funding for a new research program called Invictus, which will develop a hypersonic space plane capable of Mach 5 (3,386 mph). The aircraft could fly from London to New York in an hour. If plans stay on track, it could be operational by 2031. More from Robb Report WatchTime New York Returns This Fall, With a Record 44 Luxury Brands Designer Judith Leiber's Former East Hampton Home Is Back on the Market for $7 Million This $6 Million Georgia Estate Has a Guesthouse That's a Historical Landmark U.K. consulting firm Frazer-Nash will lead the project, which will use technology developed by Reaction Engines Ltd., a private firm launched in 1989 that previously designed a space plane called Skylon. That, in turn, was based on a 1982 concept called the Horizontal Take-Off and Landing (HOTOL) space plane. Last year, Reaction Engines ran into financial difficulties and went out of business. Invictus plans to incorporate the 'pre-cooler' technology from Reaction's SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) for its new aircraft. Combining aspects of jet and rocket propulsion, the engine pulls oxygen out of the air at lower atmospheric levels to reduce the need to carry propellant, resulting in a much lighter, more efficient aircraft. In space, it will be fueled by liquid hydrogen. 'Aircraft that fly at hypersonic speeds—more than five times the speed of sound—face extremely high temperatures due to shock heating and the friction from the air,' a Frazer-Nash rep told 'Typical aircraft engines cannot operate in these conditions, as the air is too hot to handle.' The pre-cooler technology, which chills superheated air in a fraction of a second, has already been successfully tested on conventional jet engines. 'It allows these aircraft engines to travel at hypersonic speeds,' says the rep. If Invictus reaches its full potential, it could help unlock the next generation of space planes. 'We are laying the foundation for aircraft that take off like planes and reach orbit like rockets—revolutionizing both terrestrial and orbital transportation,' said Tomasso Ghidini, head of ESA's mechanical department in a statement. 'That will redefine how we move across the planet and reach beyond it.' The Invictus team is tasked with having a viable concept ready in 12 months and a working hypersonic jet by 2031. Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
2 hours ago
Secrecy of Space Force mission is 'out of necessity': Former astronaut
Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao discusses the upcoming mission, which will involve the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an uncrewed, autonomous spacecraft.
