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ULA rocket launch from Florida may be visible in Fort Myers, Cape Coral
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, including Fort Myers and parts of Lee County.
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.
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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 Fort Myers News-Press: Florida rocket launch map: Will ULA Vulcan be seen in Fort Myers?
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