SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Viewing Tickets: Prices, Packages, Rules, Where To Buy

The much-delayed maiden launch of Falcon Heavy — the world’s most powerful rocket at present, if all goes well — is now looking more real than ever. The launch date is still not fixed, but tickets to view the historic event have gone on sale.

SpaceX announced Wednesday that the first static fire test of the Falcon Heavy was completed, and soon after, CEO Elon Musk said, while sharing photos of the test, the rocket would launch “in a week or so.”

The launch will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. On Thursday, the KSC Visitor Complex announced it was selling tickets to view the launch. Various ticket packages were made available on its website.

“The inaugural flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is one of the most anticipated launches in recent history. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex invites you to experience the awe and excitement from within a few miles/kilometers from the launch pad,” KSC Visitor Complex said.

There are four different kinds of tickets available, starting from $35 for a viewing spot at the Astronaut Training Center 12.5 miles away from the launch pad, across the river. This ticket does not include entry to the visitor complex and is not eligible for a discount for annual passholders.

There is a $75 ticket that lets people watch the launch from the KSC Visitor Complex, which is 7.5 miles from the launch pad. From there, the Falcon Heavy will be visible shortly after lift-off. The ticket price covers two-day admission to the visitor complex, a commemorative item and a digital photo.

The $115 ticket also puts viewers in a spot 7.5 miles away, but the view of the launch would be better than from the KSC Visitor Complex, since the north lawn of Space Shuttle Atlantis has hardly any obstructions to the line of sight. Other than the inclusions in the $75 ticket, this ticket also includes a buffet and a souvenir from SpaceX.

Then there is the $195 ticket, which takes you as close to the launch pad as safely possible — a mere 3.9 miles. The ticket for a view from the Apollo/Saturn V Center also includes a catered meal, champagne, a SpaceX hat, exclusive tours and so on.

All tickets except the $35 one are eligible for a 10 percent discount for annual passholders. To avail the discount, passholders must call (855) 433-4210. Tickets are all non-refundable, since they are valid for the launch, and not for a specific date. In case the launch gets scrubbed and is scheduled for another day, the same tickets stays valid. Since three of the packages include two-day admission to the visitor complex, the second day can be any time within 90 days from the date of purchase. More details are available on the ticketing website.

If you want to watch the launch but don’t want to spend money on a ticket, the coast itself has plenty of viewing spots. If you decide to take the free route, make sure to get there early, since you will certainly not be the only one thinking that way.