Amazon-ULA rocket launch in Florida: Visibility map shows Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston
Billionaire Jeff Bezos' Project Kuiper: Round two.
United Launch Alliance will launch the second batch of Amazon satellites into space − and it's possible people can see the Atlas V rocket far outside of Florida.
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 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 satellites.
It begins with the second-ever launch of the Amazon Project Kuiper production satellites, courtesy of the ULA Atlas V rocket. 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.
Business is booming: Florida's Space Coast is one of fastest-growing economies in U.S.
In Florida, we can best see this moment 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.
Rocket launches in Florida (a big list): Here's a roundup of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral and NASA's Kennedy Space Center
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 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).
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.
The Monday, June 23, 2025, Amazon satellite rocket launch from Cape Canaveral would be the second for Project Kuiper.
On June 20, ULA posted on its social channels: 'The launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket carrying the second batch of production satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper, Kuiper 2, is now planned for June 23, 2025, pending range approval. The launch is scheduled for 6:54 a.m. EDT at the opening of a 30-minute window, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.'
Two previous attempts were scheduled for the Amazon-ULA rocket launch from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Equipped with five side-mounted rocket boosters, the Atlas V will lift the $10 billion internet constellation's second set of satellites (see above) into low-Earth orbit.
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
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.
ULA provided a helpful graphic (see above) that shows the Atlas V launch of Kuiper 2 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.
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.
Click here to download FLORIDA TODAY app on App Store
Click here to download FLORIDA TODAY app on Google Play
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 Florida Today: Amazon-ULA Atlas V rocket launch in Florida: What time is liftoff?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Factbox-How Tesla's robotaxi efforts stack up against Waymo and Zoox
(Reuters) -Electric car maker Tesla started a trial of its long-awaited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, the first step toward what could be a showdown with Alphabet's Waymo, the only player currently offering fully autonomous paid rides in the United States. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has started off with about 10 Model Ys and promised to focus on safety. He says Tesla could scale quickly, and he plans a separate robotaxi vehicle. Social media influencers were seen booking and taking rides in the robotaxis in several Austin locations on Sunday, according to videos reposted by Musk. Here is how Tesla's cybercab efforts compare with those of Waymo and Zoox, which is preparing its own commercial launch: LOCATIONS VEHICLE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Feature Waymo Tesla Zoox Vehicle Type Jaguar I-Pace Model Y Custom built bidirectional pod Steering Yes Yes in No wheel current test Autonomous LiDAR, cameras, Cameras LiDAR, technology radars cameras, radars Autonomy Level 4 - Testing Level Testing Level level autonomous 4 4 within limits Launch of 2018 2025 Expected paid service later in 2025 Teleoperatio Yes Yes Yes n - human guidance or control Rides/vehicl More than About 10 More than 20 es 250,000 rides a vehicles vehicles in week testing phase Sign in to access your portfolio


TechCrunch
an hour ago
- TechCrunch
Tesla launches robotaxi rides in Austin with big promises and unanswered questions
Tesla has started giving rides in driverless Model Y SUVs in Austin, a decade after CEO Elon Musk began making — and breaking — myriad promises about his company's ability to launch such a service. The rollout will become the first big test of Musk's belief that it's possible to safely deploy fully autonomous vehicles using just cameras and end-to-end AI – an approach that differs from other players in the space like Waymo. On Sunday, numerous videos shared on social media as well as sources in the city, confirmed what Musk has been teasing for months: that the rides are finally happening, at a surely coincidental flat fee of $4.20 per ride. Tesla sent early-access invitations in the past week to vetted customers, who were able to download and use the new robotaxi app on Sunday to hail rides. It's unclear how many people have received this invitation. But posts on Musk's social media platform X show that many of them went to Tesla's loudest online supporters. The invitations, along with a new robotaxi information page published on Tesla's website on June 22, confirm the service will operate every day from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m but 'may be limited or unavailable in the event of inclement weather.' And, notably, a Tesla employee will be sitting in the right front passenger seat as a 'safety monitor.' The robotaxi information page also includes instructions on downloading the app, how to report a lost item, and general rules for riders. It still glosses over the kind of specifics that Waymo — the Alphabet-owned AV company that operates commercial robotaxis in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin — has historically provided. The robotaxi service will be small to start, according to Musk. The initial fleet will be about 10 or so 2025 Model Y SUVs operating in a narrowly defined area of South Austin. That's in line with a first-hand account by Ed Niedermeyer, author of 'Ludicrous, The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors,' who is in Austin to monitor the robotaxi rollout. (Niedermeyer is a co-host of The Autonocast with TechCrunch editor Kirsten Korosec.) Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Neidermeyer found what appears to be a Tesla robotaxi depot — a nondescript parking lot dotted with trees near Oltorf Street in South Austin. The day before the launch, he spotted several driverless Model Ys — always with an employee behind the steering wheel — entering and exiting the parking lot. Groups of other Tesla Model Y vehicles, most with manufacturer plates, were also parked there. This morning, he spotted the branded Tesla Model Y robotaxis, this time with the employee in the front passenger seat, leaving the holding area. He observed one of the branded robotaxis, which had not yet picked up a rider, suddenly hitting its brakes two separate times — once in the middle of an intersection. It's unclear why the vehicle behaved that way. However, in a video, which TechCrunch has viewed, both instances occurred as the Tesla passed by police vehicles that were located in parking lots adjacent to the roadway. Information gaps Leading up to the launch, Musk shared dribs and drabs about the Tesla robotaxi launch in a few interviews and posts on X. Even now, nearly all of the information about the robotaxi launch has been provided by the company's biggest supporters. In fact, Tesla has actively tried to suppress information about the robotaxi service. Tesla tried to block TechCrunch's public records request with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The company has also tried to block the city of Austin from fulfilling a records request by Reuters, according to the news service. 'Tesla seeks to be as transparent as possible, however, as explained further below, some of the requested information cannot be released because it is confidential information, trade secrets, and/or business information exchanged with the TxDOT in conjunction with conducting business with TxDOT,' Taylor White, senior counsel on infrastructure for Tesla, wrote in a letter to the Texas Attorney General's office in April. One of the more interesting rollout strategies is the company's use of a human 'safety monitor.' It's unclear what role these safety monitors will play and how much, if any control, they will have. These employees are likely not meant to try and intervene if the software is about to do something wrong. But they may have access to some sort of kill switch that can stop the car if that does happen. Historically, autonomous vehicle companies like Waymo and former Cruise tested their respective self-driving technology by having a human safety operator behind the wheel and a second engineer in the front passenger seat. Eventually, that might be reduced to one person sitting in the passenger seat before removing them altogether. This practice was traditionally done during the testing phase — not commercial operations. Tesla is not using the futuristic vehicles, dubbed Cybercabs, that were revealed on October 10, 2024. Instead, the 2025 Tesla Model Y vehicles are equipped with what Musk describes as a new, 'unsupervised' version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software. Tesla will not be using its in-cabin camera during rides by default. The company says it will only be used if a rider requests support or in the case of an emergency. It will use the camera after a ride ends to 'confirm Robotaxi's readiness for its next trip.' Tesla is encouraging early access riders to take photos and video of their experiences, although it says it 'may suspend or terminate Robotaxi access' if riders violate its rules, including if they 'disseminate content on a social media platform or similar medium depicting a violation of these Rules or misuse of the Robotaxi.' (That includes riders agreeing not to smoke, vape, drink alcohol, do drugs, or use the robotaxi in connection with a crime.) Musk and other Tesla executives praised the milestone on X, with Ashok Elluswamy, the head of the company's self-driving team, posting a photo of the 'Robotaxi launch party' from an undisclosed location. 'Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @Robotaxi launch!! Culmination of a decade of hard work,' Musk wrote. But at least one rider on Sunday reported having an experience where Tesla's remote support team had to help in some way. It's not immediately clear what happened during that ride, but that same rider later said the ride was very smooth.


CNBC
2 hours ago
- CNBC
Musk's Tesla is launching robotaxis in Austin, Texas
After driverless Tesla Model Ys were spotted traversing Austin, Texas, streets on Sunday morning, CEO Elon Musk posted on his social platform X that Tesla's "robotaxi launch" would start this afternoon with rides for a flat fee of $4.20. A Reuters witness saw several Tesla "robotaxis" on Sunday morning in a popular area of the Texas capital called South Congress with no one in the driver's seat but one person in the passenger seat. Tesla planned to have front-seat riders acting as "safety monitors," though it remained unclear how much control they would have over the vehicles. Videos of driverless Teslas have also been posted on social media but it was not known if the vehicles carried any passengers. As the date of the planned robotaxi launch approached, Texas lawmakers moved to enact rules on autonomous vehicles in the state. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, on Friday signed legislation requiring a state permit to operate self-driving vehicles. The law does not take effect until Sept. 1, but the governor's approval of it on Friday signals state officials from both parties want the driverless-vehicle industry to proceed cautiously. A group of Democratic state lawmakers earlier this week asked Tesla to delay its planned robotaxi trial because of the legislation. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. The governor's office declined to comment. The law softens the state's previous anti-regulation stance on autonomous vehicles. A 2017 Texas law specifically prohibited cities from regulating self-driving cars. In recent days, Tesla has sent invites to a select group of Tesla online influencers for a small and carefully monitored robotaxi trial, which the company has said would include 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles operated in a limited zone of Austin. The law requires autonomous-vehicle operators to get approval from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before operating on public streets without a human driver. It also gives state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public," and requires firms to provide information on how police and first responders can deal with their driverless vehicles in emergency situations. The law's requirements for getting a state permit to operate an "automated motor vehicle" are not particularly onerous but require a firm to attest it can safely operate within the law. It defines an automated vehicle as having at least "Level 4" autonomous-driving capability under a recognized standard, meaning it can drive itself with no human driver under specified conditions, such as within a limited area. Level 5 autonomy is the top level and means a car can drive itself anywhere, under any conditions. Compliance remains far easier than in some states, most notably California, which requires extensive submission of vehicle-testing data under state oversight. The Tesla robotaxi launch, which the company warned might be delayed, comes after more than a decade of Musk's unfulfilled promises to deliver self-driving Teslas. Most of Tesla's sky-high stock value now rests on its ability to deliver robotaxis and humanoid robots, according to many industry analysts. Tesla is by far the world's most valuable automaker. Musk has said Tesla would be "super paranoid" about safety for the Austin rollout. The company planned to operate only in areas it considered the safest. The service in Austin will have other restrictions as well. Tesla plans to avoid bad weather, difficult intersections, and will not carry anyone below the age of 18. Musk has said he is ready to delay the start for safety reasons, if needed. The planned launch has generated buzz among Tesla fans. "Wow. We are going to ride in driverless Teslas in just a few days. On public roads," posted Omar Qazi, who has 635,200 followers on X, writes often about Tesla using the handle @WholeMarsBlog, and received an invite. Commercializing autonomous vehicles has been risky and expensive. GM's Cruise was shut down after a fatal accident and regulators are closely watching Tesla and its rivals, Alphabet's Waymo, which runs a paid robotaxi service in several U.S. cities, and Amazon's Zoox. Tesla is also bucking the young industry's standard practice of relying on multiple technologies to read the road, using only cameras. That, Musk says, will be safe and much less expensive than lidar and radar systems added by rivals.