Friday's SpaceX launch could be visible from the Carolinas
SpaceX's predawn launch of astronauts to the International Space Station comes at a time that should make it visible from the southern east coast.
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The launch now is targeted for 5:49 a.m. EDT Friday, April 23, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Conditions are more favorable on Friday with 90% go conditions forecasted by the 45th Space Force Weather Squadron. Should another 24 hour delay be necessary the forecast worsens slightly.
How to see the launch
Like last month's pre-dawn SpaceX launch from Florida, the Crew-2 mission may be visible from our area.
Launch time comes 42 minutes before sunrise, near the beginning of nautical twilight, when things are still pretty dark here on the ground. The rising Sun illuminates the rocket's exhaust plume as it rises to catch up with the International Space Station for a docking the following day.
To see the launch, look to the southeast about 5 minutes after launch. The rocket will move from right to left, appearing nearly parallel to the horizon, as it rises along the flight path. The clearer your horizon, the better your chances of seeing the rocket.
You might also see a few Lyrid meteors streaking from the North.
Also look for that plume to expand as the rocket rises into the thinning air of the upper atmosphere.
Friday's launch will not be as visible as last month's SpaceX launch (seen above). That launch occurred nearly 90 minutes before sunrise under even darker skies, making the trail even easier to see.
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