Weather

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.

Posted Updated

By
Tony Rice
, NASA Ambassador
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen at sunset on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-2 mission, Monday, April 19, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 mission is the second crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program. Photo Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA and SpaceX announced a delay in the Crew-2 Dragon mission's launch to the International Space Station by a day, due to unfavorable weather conditions forecast along the flight path for Thursday.

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.

Launch Mission Execution Forecast for launch of astronauts to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Center Friday April 23, 2021.  Source: 45th Weather Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base.

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.

SpaceX rocket seen in the predawn skies from near Charlottesville, VA (Photo credit: Peter Forister)

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.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is hosting an online event for the launch. Join me online for a mission overview and discussion of steps leading up to launch. The event starts at 5:15 a.m.

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