What time is launch window for United Launch Alliance Atlas V, Amazon rocket launch? Liftoff will be from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Editor’s note: ULA Atlas V, Amazon rocket launch for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, was scrubbed due to weather. For updates and launch replay, click here.
Godspeed, Atlas V.
When United Launch Alliance launches its massive Atlas V rocket, there’s a chance people way outside the Space Coast of Florida could possibly see it light up the sky. Depending on cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville, Cape Coral and Miami could see ULA’s Atlas V as it roars into the sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Visibility from most of Florida is possible, according to ULA.
What’s on board ULA Atlas V? Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is launching Project Kuiper, a global network of satellites, to compete with SpaceX CEO-billionaire Elon Musk and Starlink.
It begins with the first-ever launch of the Amazon Project Kuiper production satellites, courtesy of the ULA Atlas V rocket. In Florida, we can best see this historic moment in person if you’re anywhere on the Space Coast, the Fun Coast or the Treasure Coast. However, people in Jacksonville, far north of Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach, far south of Cape Canaveral, have posted rocket launch photos and video on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Interestingly, a rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, Florida, can be seen outside of Florida. Depending on weather and cloud cover. For example, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach.
ULA’s Atlas V rocket should be visible outside of Florida pending weather and clouds.
Below is information on ULA’s powerful rocket, the Atlas V, how to watch the launch and suggestions on where to watch it if you’re in the Space Coast area or close to it.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is launching Project Kuiper, a global constellation of 3,232 broadband satellites that will compete for customers with SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s sprawling Starlink network. It begins with the first-ever launch of Project Kuiper production satellites, courtesy of the massive United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Rocket launches from the Space Coast of Florida − either from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station − have significantly increased within the past few years, with the bulk of launches from SpaceX and Starlink satellites.
Bezos’ Amazon rocket launch, the premiere known as KA-01 mission, will “deploy all of the satellites safely in orbit, which means they can independently maneuver and communicate with our team on the ground,” according to an Amazon news release.
“Once the satellites have successfully separated from the rocket, they will begin a series of mostly automated steps to activate onboard systems and use their electric propulsion systems to gradually ascend to their assigned orbit of 392 miles (630 km),” the release said. “The satellites will travel at a speed of more than 17,000 miles per hour (27,359 km per hour) on orbit and circle the planet approximately every 90 minutes.”
All told, ULA will launch eight Atlas V and 38 Vulcan rockets on Project Kuiper missions. The Amazon initiative has also contracted with SpaceX, Blue Origin and Arianespace, upping the total to 80-plus pending launches.
What time is the Amazon rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? When does United Launch Alliance Atlas V liftoff?
Amazon rocket launch window was scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch window lasted two hours. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, the Atlas V launch was scrubbed.
Equipped with five side-mounted rocket boosters, the Atlas V will lift the $10 billion internet constellation’s first set of 27 satellites (see above) into low-Earth orbit.
Where in Florida can I watch ULA Atlas V liftoff, Amazon rocket launch in person?
In Florida, we can best see this historic moment in person if you’re anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). However, people in Jacksonville, far north of Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach, far south of Cape Canaveral, have posted rocket launch photos and video on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, especially on Florida’s Space Coast, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic.
A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a “rumble” can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County after liftoff.
Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch near NASA and Kennedy Space Center?
Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
Which cities can see ULA Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Can I watch Amazon rocket launch from Florida?
ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Atlas V launch of Kuiper 1 for Amazon and its intended flight path and launch visibility. Note: Cities in the Space Coast of Florida, which is in Brevard County and measures 72 miles of coast, include Titusville, Mims, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Grant-Valkaria and Sebastian.
Launch, Space Coast, east Orlando, near University of Central Florida, Bithlo, the northern part of the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, parts of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill
1: Launch + 30 seconds, Space Coast, Orlando, the Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill, Volusia County, St. Augustine, Ocala, Lakeland area
2: Launch + 90 seconds, which includes PLF Jettison or separation and jettison of the payload fairing: Space Coast, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Port Orange, Volusia County, Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee, Central Florida, Ocala, Lakeland, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach
3: Launch + 150 seconds, which includes solid rocket booster jettison, visibility extends to Sebring, Winter Haven, Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Collier County, Lee County, Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, southern Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, parts of the Caribbean, the Bahamas
4: Launch + 210 seconds, which includes booster separation, Tallahassee, Panama City, Panhandle, Big Bend area of Florida; visibility extends beyond Florida to Georgia, South Carolina, parts of North Carolina
5: Launch + 270 seconds, ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other states and cities:
- Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia
- Alabama; Dothan, Alabama; just outside Birmingham, Alabama
- Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; just outside Huntsville, Tennessee; just outside Nashville, Tennessee
- Kentucky
- South Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina
- North Carolina; High Point, North Carolina; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Wilmington, North Carolina
- Virginia; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia
- West Virginia; Charleston, West Virginia
- Maryland; Washington, Maryland
- Delaware; Annapolis, Delaware; Dover, Delaware
6: Launch + 330 seconds, ULA Atlas V rocket launch visibility extends beyond Florida to these other states and cities:
- New Jersey: Trenton, New Jersey; New York, New Jersey
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Erie, Pennsylvania
- Ohio: Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio
- Indiana: just outside Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Michigan: Detroit, Michigan
- Kentucky: just outside Louisville, Kentucky
- Rhode Island: Providence, Rhode Island
- Connecticut: Hartford, Connecticut
- Massachusetts: Boston, Massachusetts
- New York: Binghamton, New York; Albany, New York
7: Launch + 390 seconds, visibility of Atlas V rocket may be possible in these states:
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Delaware
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
- Toronto, Canada
The above guidelines are estimates based on the graphic provided by ULA.
Photos of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida
How to watch Amazon rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Florida, what time does ULA Atlas V liftoff? How to watch online, from your phone, iPad or tablet with USA TODAY Network Space Team coverage
When and where: Full coverage of the launch, including a live webcast with live tweets and updates, kicks off two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space (you can type this on your browser on your phone) and will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our FLORIDA TODAY space team reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards questions and strike up a conversation. You also can watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser. FLORIDA TODAY is part of the USA TODAY Network.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
