Blue Origin’s 322‑ft New Glenn Set to Launch Nov. 9 — Visible Across Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia and Beyond (Weather Permitting)

What’s happening: Blue Origin plans to launch its massive New Glenn rocket (mission NG‑2) from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. The official launch window is 2:45 p.m. to 4:13 p.m. ET. Depending on weather and cloud cover, the ascent—or the rocket’s glowing plume—may be visible across much of Florida and into neighboring states.

Rocket and mission at a glance

New Glenn stands 322 feet tall and uses a wide payload fairing (about 23 feet across). Its first stage is powered by seven BE‑4 engines and is designed to be reusable for at least 25 flights. The upper stage uses two BE‑3U vacuum‑optimized engines.

NG‑2 will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars. Once in Martian orbit, the spacecraft will make simultaneous observations of solar wind and space weather to study the planet’s magnetospheric environment.

Visibility timeline (approximate)

Blue Origin published a launch trajectory and visibility map; the following times are approximate and assume clear skies. Local sightlines and cloud cover will affect what you can see.

• Launch + 30 seconds: Space Coast (including Melbourne area), parts of the Treasure Coast and Fun Coast, Indian River County, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill.
• Launch + 60 seconds: Space Coast, Daytona Beach area, Port Orange, broader Treasure Coast counties (Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie) and portions of Orlando.
• Launch + 90 seconds: St. Augustine, Ocala, Lakeland area, Sanford, Kissimmee and other Central Florida communities.
• Launch + 120 seconds: Northeast and Gulf Coast Florida locations including Gainesville, Jacksonville, Sarasota–Bradenton, Tampa Bay, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples and parts of Palm Beach County.
• Launch + 150 seconds: Visibility may extend to Tallahassee and parts of the Big Bend, additional West Coast Florida communities, and areas around Lake Worth Beach, Wellington, Jupiter and Palm Beach.
• Launch + 180 seconds: Southeastern Georgia — coastal and inland cities such as Savannah, Brunswick, Valdosta, Tifton, Albany and Augusta — may be able to see the plume under favorable conditions.
• Launch + 210 seconds: Coastal Georgia and South Carolina (Hilton Head, Bluffton, Tybee Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach) and parts of coastal North Carolina (Wilmington, Morehead City, Carolina Beach) plus some inland cities may also see the trajectory.
• Launch + 240 seconds: On very clear evenings the ascent or high‑altitude plume might be visible from broader areas of Georgia, the Carolinas, parts of Alabama, and—under exceptional conditions—even Bermuda and parts of the Caribbean.

Note: These windows are estimates based on Blue Origin’s published graphic. Atmospheric conditions, lighting, and local geography will determine actual visibility.

Where to watch

For the best in‑person viewing in Florida, head to the Space Coast (Titusville, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne), the Fun Coast (Daytona Beach area) or the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce). Observers farther inland and along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts should pick locations with clear views of the sky and minimal light pollution.

How to follow the launch online

A live webcast and full coverage typically begin about two hours before liftoff. FLORIDA TODAY will stream updates and reporting at floridatoday.com/space and via the FLORIDA TODAY app (App Store and Google Play). Blue Origin and mission partners may also provide a live feed.

Safety and tips

Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens if you want close views or photos. Dress for the weather, arrive early to secure a good vantage point, and avoid looking directly into intense launch light through optics without proper filters.

These details and the visibility timeline are based on Blue Origin’s published launch trajectory graphic and may change if the launch slips or weather conditions deteriorate.