After the SpaceX rocket launch, here's how to see the booster land at Cape Canaveral SFS
After the SpaceX rocket launch, here's how to see the booster land at Cape Canaveral SFS

After the SpaceX rocket launch, here’s how to see the booster land at Cape Canaveral SFS

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After the SpaceX rocket launch, here’s how to see the booster land at Cape Canaveral SFS

The launch was initially scheduled for 8 a.m. June 11 but SpaceX announced they are standing down “to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak” The booster return will take approximately eight minutes and conclude with a sonic boom. A great place to see the booster return is from either Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, where there is a clear view of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the northern horizon. The landing zones are in the area just north of the Cape Canaveral lighthouse, which is located just southeast of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center pad 39A. It’s a win for all, as it brings the booster back to SpaceX right away, and gives viewers a glimpse of an event that was science fiction just a decade ago. The return of the booster will be not instantaneous after the launch, so do not leave or look away. Keep in mind that weather conditions play a part in exactly what will be visible. Is there a launch today? Will there be a SpaceX rocket launch?

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AI-assisted summary The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster will return to Landing Zone 1 shortly after launch.

Spectators can view the booster return from local beaches or Jetty Park.

The booster return will take approximately eight minutes and conclude with a sonic boom.

Updates with launch delayed. New launch date not yet announced.

When the crew of Axiom Space Mission 4 lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center pad 39A, those watching from the Space Coast are in for a treat as SpaceX plans to return its booster on land.

The launch was initially scheduled for 8 a.m. June 11 but SpaceX announced they are standing down “to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak” discovered during a booster inspection after the static fire. LOx stands for liquid oxygen. SpaceX said after the repairs are complete, they’ll share a new launch date.

So viewers will have to wait a little bit longer to watch a booster return.

Common in missions traveling to the International Space Station, just more than eight minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s booster will come barreling back to Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1, triggering a sonic boom.

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With the remaining booster fuel enough to allow a land return, it eliminates the need for SpaceX to land the booster on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a win for all, as it brings the booster back to SpaceX right away, and gives viewers a glimpse of an event that was science fiction just a decade ago.

What to know about the Ax-4 mission: Doubleheader launch: Ax-4 astronauts to launch on SpaceX rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

So how can you watch the SpaceX booster return? Afterall, it’s easy to hear the resulting sonic boom but where do you look to see the rocket descend toward Cape Canaveral.

How to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster return to Cape Canaveral

The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster (first stage) will return to Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1, which is located just southeast of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center pad 39A. For reference, the landing zones are in the area just north of the Cape Canaveral lighthouse.

No matter your location, keep your eyes more to the east after liftoff.

Local beaches: A great place to see the booster return is from either Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, where there is a clear view of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the northern horizon.

A great place to see the booster return is from either Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, where there is a clear view of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the northern horizon. Jetty Park: Jetty Park is also a great place to watch the booster return, as well as the launch. From the jetty, a clear view to the north is provided. This is also the closet the public can get to the booster return site. Take note that Jetty Park requires either a pass or daily fee to enter.

What to expect from a SpaceX booster return in Florida

The return of the booster will be not instantaneous after the launch, so do not leave or look away. Keep in mind that weather conditions play a part in exactly what will be visible.

In total, it takes just over eight minutes to see the booster return.

Stage separation, which is where the rocket’s upper stage and booster separate, is visible a bit after liftoff. However, while the upper stage may remain viable, the booster can vanish for a bit as it begins descending to Earth.

While the booster descends, a short burn working to slow the booster may be visible to spectators. After this, the booster will vanish again for a bit.

As the booster comes in for a landing, the glowing and consistent landing burn will be visible to those watching. This landing burn does not last long, but is unmistakable. At this point, there will be a view of the booster as it slowly descends vertically toward Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral

Will there be a sonic boom with the SpaceX rocket launch?

The booster will descend out of view as it lands, but the show is not over. Shortly afterward, a loud sonic boom will sound throughout the area.

This thunderous sound is created due to the booster’s return speed being faster than sound. As light travels faster than sound, those on the ground see the booster come back first before the sound travels to their location. This phenomena is the same reason we see lightning before hearing the thunder.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

Source: Floridatoday.com | View original article

Source: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2025/06/10/heres-how-to-watch-the-spacex-rocket-falcon-9-nasa-axiom-launch-booster-land-at-cape-canaveral/84111876007/

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