Where is Cape Canaveral Space Force Station?

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station sits on Florida's Atlantic coast, on the Eastern Range run by the U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45. It is the United States' busiest launch site and has been America's gateway to orbit since the 1950s.

Which rockets launch from Cape Canaveral?

SpaceX flies Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40, and United Launch Alliance flies the Vulcan Centaur (and the retiring Atlas V) from Space Launch Complex 41.

Is Cape Canaveral the same as the Kennedy Space Center?

No. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center are separate, neighbouring sites — Kennedy is on Merritt Island just to the north. Together they make up Florida's 'Space Coast'.

Can you watch a launch from Cape Canaveral?

Yes — the Space Coast is one of the easiest places in the world to watch a launch from public land. Popular free spots include Playalinda Beach, Space View Park in Titusville, and Jetty Park at Port Canaveral.

Launches from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Name: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Address: US

Upcoming and past rocket launches from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA — live countdowns, mission details, and launch history.

About Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is the United States' busiest launch site, run by the U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45 on Florida's Atlantic coast. Missile testing began here in the 1950s, and it has been America's gateway to orbit ever since — the station was renamed Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2020.

Its active orbital pads sit on the Eastern Range, letting rockets fly out over the Atlantic toward the equatorial and geostationary orbits most commercial and national-security payloads need. SpaceX flies Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40, while United Launch Alliance operates Atlas V and the new Vulcan Centaur from Space Launch Complex 41.

Launch sitePublic viewing spot

Facts

Timezone: America/New_York
Total launches: 1,122
Total landings: 75
Coordinates: 28.4889, -80.5778
Operator: U.S. Space Force — Space Launch Delta 45
Active since: 1950s (renamed Cape Canaveral SFS in 2020)
Range: Eastern Range — equatorial and geostationary orbits
Active pads: SLC-40 (SpaceX Falcon 9), SLC-41 (ULA Atlas V / Vulcan)

Where to watch

The Space Coast is one of the easiest places in the world to watch a rocket launch from public land. The Titusville riverfront and the beaches north of Port Canaveral give clear sight lines across the water to the northern pads — arrive early for high-profile flights.

Playalinda Beach
Canaveral National Seashore near Titusville — roughly 6–7 miles from SLC-40, about as close as the public can legally get.
Space View Park, Titusville
Riverfront park off US-1 with a 'front row' feel across the Indian River, about 13–15 miles from the pads.
Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park
Elevated and riverfront views on FL-406 in Titusville, roughly 12–14 miles out.
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral
Beach and pier at the end of George King Blvd, about 12–13 miles from the southern pads.

Notable launches

Explorer 1
31 Jan 1958
Juno-I · ABMA
The first U.S. satellite, launched from Launch Complex 26 — America's answer to Sputnik.
View launch details
Freedom 7
5 May 1961
Redstone MRLV · NASA
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on this suborbital Mercury flight from LC-5.
View launch details
Gemini IV
3 Jun 1965
Titan II GLV · NASA
Ed White made the first American spacewalk on this crewed Gemini flight — one of ten Gemini missions that developed the rendezvous and EVA techniques Apollo needed.
View launch details