Launch Pads at Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Tickets | Hotels Near the Space Center

Launch Pads at Kennedy Space Center. National Geographic named the Kennedy Space Center and the Space Coast of Florida as one of the top tourist destinations in the world!

Kennedy Space Center Tour From Orlando

Tour include bus transportation from Orlando and return plus admission to the Kennedy Space Center.

Watch Rocket Launches from Your Hotel or Condo Rental on the beach

The last manned rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center brought 100,000 visitors to the Space Coast to witness this historic event. There are launches almost every week at the Kennedy Space center and the safest way to witness a rocket launch is from your hotel.

Now is the time to book your hotel reservations near the Kennedy Space Center.

Launch Sites

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is now named Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. All rocket launches originate from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station which is part of the overall Kennedy Space Center. Three launch pads are currently used at the Space Force Station, depending on the entity launching the rocket.

All launch sites are located on a barrier island along Florida's east coast, about 50 miles due east of Orlando and known as Cape Canaveral. Nearby Patrick Space Force Base supports security for all launches and NASA recovery efforts for manned spacecraft.

Mars Launch of Perseverance Rover

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover launched on Thursday, July 30, 3021 on a seven month journey designed to search for astrobiological evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars, according to NASA. Perseverance launched at 7:50 a.m. Eastern Time (7:50 p.m. BJT) Thursday, on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrier rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Perseverance land rover landed on Mars on February 18, 2021 and is accompanied by a helicopter named Ingenuity that is able to fly short distances from the rover. This is  a long term mission and you can follow the adventures of Perseverance and Ingenuity here.

Launch Delays

On occasion there are launch delays caused by local weather or weather down range. Delays may also be generated by technical issues, but those are more infrequent than in the past. If you book your hotel for several days you will still be able to see a delayed launch and enjoy the great beaches and sea food in a meantime .

Come for the Launch - Stay for the Beaches

Many of these launch hotels are on the beach so you can enjoy the ocean views and beach activities as you long as you want. There are few people on the beach early in the morning so it is a good time to take a walk or swim. The Space Coast features 72 miles of beaches so you can walk all you can.

Visit the Brevard Zoo

The Brevard Zoo is ranked as one of the top small zoos in the nation and is a great way to spend a day. Try a kayak ride near the hippos or the train ride that takes you all through the exhibits. For the more adventurous, the Zip Line will get your heart beating. Or feed the giraffes from the elevated feeding station, a favorite for the whole family. And of course the petting zoo is a fantastic place for kids to learn more about our animal neighbors.

Port Canaveral and Florida Cruises

Another great cruise season is beginning in Florida and there is no better cruise port than Port Canaveral, just 45 minutes east of Orando on Florida's Space Coast. Voted the best cruise ship port in the world, and already the second busiest, Port Canaveral is a destination in itself. Home to Disney Cruise lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Two Fantastic New Cruise Ships now sailing from Port Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast.

Soon the Royal Caribbean's spectacular new natural gas powered and largest ship, Wonder of the Seas, will cruise from Port Canaveral weekly. Additionally, Disney's newest and largest ship, the Disney Wish, has joined the other Disney cruise ships at Port Canaveral. Both of these ships will offer the most spectacular cruise ship experiences ever. Book a great cruise.

Drive to Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is a drivable destination for most areas of the Southeast United States and frequent flights into Orlando International Airport are available from everywhere. Rental cars or busses are the favorite mode of transportation for the fifty mile trip east from Orlando to Port Canaveral for those who fly in.