After the SpaceX rocket launch, here's how to see the booster land at Cape Canaveral SFS
With the crew of Axiom Space Mission 4 set to lift off at 8 a.m. June 11 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center pad 39A, those watching from the Space Coast are in for a treat as SpaceX plans to return its booster on land.
Common in missions traveling to the International Space Station, just more than eight minutes after launch, the Falcon 9's booster will come barreling back to Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1, triggering a sonic boom.
With the remaining booster fuel enough to allow a land return, it eliminates the need for SpaceX to land the booster on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. It's a win for all, as it brings the booster back to SpaceX right away, and gives viewers a glimpse of an event that was science fiction just a decade ago.
What to know about the Ax-4 mission: Doubleheader launch: Ax-4 astronauts to launch on SpaceX rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
So how can you watch the SpaceX booster return? Afterall, it's easy to hear the resulting sonic boom but where do you look to see the rocket descend toward Cape Canaveral.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster (first stage) will return to Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1, which is located just southeast of NASA's Kennedy Space Center pad 39A. For reference, the landing zones are in the area just north of the Cape Canaveral lighthouse.
No matter your location, keep your eyes more to the east after liftoff.
Local beaches: A great place to see the booster return is from either Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, where there is a clear view of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the northern horizon.
Jetty Park: Jetty Park is also a great place to watch the booster return, as well as the launch. From the jetty, a clear view to the north is provided. This is also the closet the public can get to the booster return site. Take note that Jetty Park requires either a pass or daily fee to enter.
The return of the booster will be not instantaneous after the launch, so do not leave or look away. Keep in mind that weather conditions play a part in exactly what will be visible.
In total, it takes just over eight minutes to see the booster return.
Stage separation, which is where the rocket's upper stage and booster separate, is visible a bit after liftoff. However, while the upper stage may remain viable, the booster can vanish for a bit as it begins descending to Earth.
While the booster descends, a short burn working to slow the booster may be visible to spectators. After this, the booster will vanish again for a bit.
As the booster comes in for a landing, the glowing and consistent landing burn will be visible to those watching. This landing burn does not last long, but is unmistakable. At this point, there will be a view of the booster as it slowly descends vertically toward Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral
The booster will descend out of view as it lands, but the show is not over. Shortly afterward, a loud sonic boom will sound throughout the area.
This thunderous sound is created due to the booster's return speed being faster than sound. As light travels faster than sound, those on the ground see the booster come back first before the sound travels to their location. This phenomena is the same reason we see lightning before hearing the thunder.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here's how to watch the SpaceX rocket booster land at Cape Canaveral
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