NASA's gigantic SLS rocket for the Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch No Earlier Than, February 2026. In my last guide, I showed you how to get the best views of the rocket on the pad before launch. In this guide I'll discuss viewing the launch itself.

As I've pointed out before, SLS is enormous, 322 feet (98m) in height, 27.6 feet (8.4m) in diameter, with four RS-25 engines and two solid rocket boosters producing 8.8 million pounds (39.1 kN) of thrust at launch. That's a lot of power. That's a lot of fire. That's an object the size of the Statue of Liberty lifting off and flying across the sky. As long as you aren't facing west, you can't miss it. But where you position yourself can make a big difference!

Weather - and in particular cloud cover - is the number one factor in launch viewing. From this point forward, we're assuming that skies are clear for the launch. Even if it's somewhat cloudy, you can probably expect a decent view. With all the power this rocket has, it's going to be BRIGHT - especially at ignition and liftoff. If you're watching with binoculars, I advise you to NOT look at the liftoff through them. If you really want to see the rocket as the engines roar to life, have some live coverage running on your phone. You don't want to spend the rest of the time here with those burn-in dots floating around in your eyes!

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

T-00:00:00 The massive rocket lifts off, the initial ascent begins with all 4 of the rocket's main engines will burn, supported by the Solid Rocket Boosters. The rocket will follow a due east trajectory after liftoff, heading out over the Atlantic and gaining altitude. For the next two minutes, the bright plume lights up everything for miles. A giant exhaust column rises under the rocket from the SRB's. Thirty to forty-five seconds after ignition, the sound reaches most viewing locations.

T+00:02:08 Now at an altitude of 158,000 feet (29.9mi/48 km), the SRB's are jettisoned. Falling away from the rocket, the SRB's burn the last of their propellant. You may be able to distinguish the separation - a pair of decent binoculars or a quality zoom camera will definitely be helpful here, the vehicle about 28 miles (46 km) downrange, speeding away at 3,000 mph (4,828 kph).

T+00:03:28, the LAS (Launch Abort Stage) is jettisoned. The rocket is now at 286,000 feet (54mi/87km) approaching 1,500 mph (2400kmh). For the next five minutes, the rocket will continue to gain altitude and speed. The four RS-25 engines propel SLS to an altitude of over 100 miles (160km), reaching Mach 23 (that's 23 times the speed of sound!) 

T+00:08:06. Airspeed is 17,000 mph (27,359 kph), altitude is 511,000 feet (96 mi/155km), SLS core stage is now over 1,000 miles (1600km) downrange. It is time for the final visible event, MECO or Main Engine Cut Off. The core stage and the ICPS - Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, what most would call 'second stage') separate and the ICPS. lights its single RS-10 engine, ferrying Orion capsule Integrity along its path to orbit. Without the aid of binoculars, I would say it is unlikely that you will be able to distinguish this event, and even then it's questionable.

YOUR VIEWING EXPERIENCE

I generally say "closer does not equal better" when it comes to watching launches. It really depends on the experience you want to have. For a monster rocket like SLS, you'll have just as much mouth-agape wonder from 15 miles away as you would from 6, and for a lot less than KSCVC will clip you for! I'm going to break it down by cardinal points:

WEST

Points west of the pad such as riverside locations in Titusville (see the image below) are the closest you'll be able to access for the general public. You'll see the rocket ascend in a high arch which then trail downward as it continues eastward. Imagine that you are the quarterback and you're watching the football after you throw it down the field to your wide receiver. This view keeps the engines pointed at you, so you will mostly see white fire under the rocket or the duration.

How about outside of Brevard County? YES! Viewers from Orlando all the way to St. Pete will be able to see something.