SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-12 Launch Set for 5:15 AM Friday, Visible from Florida to Maine Along the East Coast
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA — NASA’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday, with the early morning launch potentially visible across much of the East Coast.
The pre-dawn timing could create ideal viewing conditions as the rocket climbs northeast shortly before sunrise, tracing a bright arc over the Atlantic Ocean.
Launch Details and Flight Path
The Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and head northeast along the Eastern Seaboard. According to the projected flight path, residents from Jacksonville and Charleston up through Norfolk, Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston could have a chance to see the rocket streak across the sky.
Because the launch occurs before sunrise, the contrast between the dark sky and sunlight illuminating the rocket plume at high altitude may make it especially noticeable. Observers often describe such launches as appearing like a fast-moving, glowing star with a widening tail.
States Where Viewing Is Possible
The viewing zone stretches from Florida through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and potentially parts of Maine.
Weather conditions and cloud cover will ultimately determine visibility in each area. Clear skies and an unobstructed eastern or southeastern horizon will offer the best chance of spotting the rocket.
Mission to the International Space Station
Crew-12 is NASA’s next rotation mission to the International Space Station. The astronauts aboard the Falcon 9 will replace members of the current ISS crew and continue scientific research and maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has become a cornerstone of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, regularly launching astronauts and cargo into low Earth orbit. Friday’s launch marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between NASA and SpaceX.
Best Tips for Viewing the Launch
Experts recommend stepping outside a few minutes before 5:15 a.m. EST and looking toward the southeastern sky. The rocket will appear as a bright moving light climbing upward and gradually shifting northeast along the coast.
Those closer to Florida will likely see a brighter and more dramatic ascent, while observers farther north may catch a lower, distant arc of light depending on atmospheric conditions. Residents across the East Coast are encouraged to check local weather forecasts before heading out for a view.
Will you be watching the early morning launch from your area? Share your viewing experience or photos with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
