ULA Atlas V, Amazon satellite rocket launch may be visible in Daytona, New Smyrna Beach

People in the Daytona Beach area may see a rocket in the sky.

United Launch Alliance will send a batch of Amazon satellites into space − and it's possible people can see the Atlas V rocket far outside of Florida, perhaps out of state.

When ULA launches its massive rocket, depending on cloud cover, Floridians (and visitors) as far as Jacksonville, Cape Coral and Miami could see it light up the sky after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Visibility from most of Florida is possible, according to ULA.

What's on board the ULA Atlas V rocket? Amazon satellites. Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos launched Project Kuiper, a global network of satellites, to compete with SpaceX founder and fellow billionaire Elon Musk, and his Starlink satellites.

This week's "ULA Atlas V Kuiper 3" rocket launch is the fifth mission of the Amazon Project Kuiper production satellites. Online, the mission has been called the "Amazon rocket launch" or "the Amazon rocket launch from Florida,” but it’s accurate to call it the Amazon satellite rocket launch or Amazon-ULA rocket launch.

In Florida, people can best see this rocket launch in person, particularly if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Melbourne, Florida, area), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce).

The Amazon satellite rocket launch is extra special because of the potential to see it in other states. In the past, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of SpaceX Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach. Other rocket launches have been spotted in New Jersey and Georgia.

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 Amazon satellite rocket launch and suggestions on where to watch it from Florida and beyond.

Amazon launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida? What is Amazon Project Kuiper? Is Jeff Bezos involved in Amazon rocket launches?

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos launched 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 began with the first-ever launch of Project Kuiper production satellites, courtesy of the massive United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, on April 28, 2025 (see photos above).

Other "Project Kuiper" rocket launches occurred near Father's Day (June 23, 2025, for ULA), and July 16, 2025, and Aug. 11, 2025, from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, all missions launching from Cape Canaveral.

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.

But Bezos' Amazon satellite rocket launch, the premiere was 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 satellite rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? When does United Launch Alliance Atlas V liftoff?

Amazon-ULA rocket launch was scheduled for 8:09 a.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It has a northeast trajectory. Equipped with five side-mounted rocket boosters, the Atlas V will lift the $10 billion internet constellation's set of satellites (see above) into low-Earth orbit.

Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network’s Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Where in Florida can I watch ULA Atlas V liftoff, Amazon rocket launch in person?

In Florida, we can best see this 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.

  • Where to watch Amazon satellite rocket launch in Daytona Beach area of Florida
  • List of Brevard County cities to watch Amazon satellite rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida
  • Where to watch Amazon satellite rocket launch from Treasure Coast of Florida
  • Where to watch Amazon rocket launch from West Palm Beach area of Florida
  • Where to watch Amazon satellite rocket launch in Jacksonville, Florida

Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch near NASA and Kennedy Space Center?

Radar

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.

Where can I see a rocket launch in Volusia County, Florida?

In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County — home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launches.

The best views to watch a rocket launch from here is along the beach. Look due south. Readers have also mentioned seeing a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Here are some recommended spots:

• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore), there may be parking costs. New Smyrna Beach features 17 miles of white sandy beaches. An eclectic and quaint beach town, despite its reputation as the "Shark Bite Capital of the World," New Smyrna Beach has always been a haven for surfers who come for the waves.

• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach, which is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park, has restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers and nearly 800 feet of beachfront sidewalk, according to Volusia County's site. The nearby riverside park area is across South Atlantic Avenue with tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, fishing pier and restrooms. The river by the park can be a great viewing spot for manatees, dolphins and pelicans.

• Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.

• Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill

• Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill

• Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill

• Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a rental building, playground, baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoor restrooms, pavilions, picnic areas and grills.

• Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a playground, baseball field, basketball courts, outdoor pavilion and restrooms.

• Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill. This location has about 350 feet of beautifully restored shoreline, according to the city of Oak Hill online. Facilities include a pavilion, picnic tables and kayak launching facilities.

• A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill. Facilities include a 520-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating, the city of Oak Hill site states.

• Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above). Facilities include a 100-foot observation pier.

Which cities can see ULA Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Can I watch Amazon satellite rocket launch from Florida?

ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Atlas V launch of Kuiper 3 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 + 60 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:

  • Bermuda
  • 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 and locations:

  • Bermuda
  • 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 after Cape Canaveral, Florida, liftoff

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.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ULA Atlas V, Amazon satellite rocket launch may be visible in Daytona, New Smyrna Beach

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