Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers best viewing of Twilight SpaceX rocket launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – A Falcon 9 rocket will light up skies on the east coast during a dramatic SpaceX liftoff scheduled for Friday, Jan. 3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests may view the dusk launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the closest possible public viewing area, or special areas at the Visitor Complex.

The rocket is targeted to blast off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:50 p.m. EST, carrying a Thaicom 6 telecommunications satellite. The launch window closes at 6:57 p.m.

Guests can experience the powerful sights and sounds of the rocket at special viewing available to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, located in Kennedy Space Center, for $20 plus the cost of admission. Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is $50 plus tax for adults and $40 plus tax for children 3-11. Bus boarding for the Apollo/Saturn V Center begins at 3:45 p.m.

Located along the Banana River just a few miles from the launch pad, the Apollo/Saturn V viewing area offers the closest public viewing opportunity in Brevard County. This viewing area will feature live launch countdown commentary.

Launch viewing, featuring live mission control commentary, also is available from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and is included in regular admission.

This will be the second Falcon 9 launch in a month following the successful Dec. 3 launch of the SES-8 satellite. The Falcon 9 rocket will fly with upgraded Merlin 1D engines and larger fuel tanks. The Thaicom 6 will beam Ku-band and C-band services to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.