Watch New Glenn: Blue Origin’s Massive Rocket (NG‑2) Could Be Visible Across Florida and Neighboring States

Blue Origin’s New Glenn (NG‑2) — What to know and where to watch

Blue Origin is preparing to launch its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket on mission NG‑2 from Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window is Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, from 2:45 p.m. to 4:13 p.m. ET. Depending on weather and cloud cover, the rocket’s ascent plume could be visible across much of Florida and even into neighboring states and territories.

About New Glenn

New Glenn is a 322-foot-tall rocket with a roughly 23-foot-wide payload fairing. Its first stage is powered by seven BE‑4 engines, and the upper stage uses two BE‑3U vacuum-optimized engines. Blue Origin says the first stage is designed to be reusable for at least 25 flights.

Mission payload

On NG‑2, New Glenn will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, bound for Mars to study solar wind interactions and space weather as they orbit and probe the Martian magnetosphere.

Visibility — what to expect

Visibility depends on atmospheric conditions (clouds, haze, sun angle). Blue Origin published a launch trajectory and visibility map estimating where and when the plume and rocket exhaust might be seen at intervals after liftoff. Below are approximate sightlines based on that graphic.

1. Launch to +30 seconds: Space Coast locations and nearby Orlando suburbs (near UCF, Bithlo), north Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Sebastian, Vero Beach, parts of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill.
2. +30 seconds: Space Coast, Treasure Coast, Indian River County, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill and areas around Orlando.
3. +60 seconds: Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Treasure Coast (Martin and St. Lucie counties), Indian River County and central Orlando areas.
4. +90 seconds: Central Florida reach — St. Augustine, Ocala, Lakeland area, Sanford, Kissimmee and other central communities.
5. +120 seconds: Wider Florida coverage — Sebring, Winter Haven, Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay region (Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, St. Petersburg), and parts of the southwest coast including Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Naples.
6. +150 seconds: Much of Florida — including Tallahassee and Big Bend areas — and coastal Palm Beach locales; visibility may extend along Florida’s west coast into southeastern Georgia.
7. +180 to +210 seconds: Broader reach into Georgia and South Carolina: coastal and inland cities such as Valdosta, Tifton, Albany, Savannah, Brunswick, Hilton Head and Bluffton.
8. +210 to +240 seconds: Possible visibility into more of Georgia, South Carolina (Charleston, Myrtle Beach) and parts of North Carolina (Wilmington, Morehead City, Raleigh/Durham under ideal conditions). Blue Origin’s map even suggests that, in very favorable conditions, the trail could be faintly visible from locations as far as Alabama, Bermuda and some Caribbean islands.

Important: These are estimates based on Blue Origin’s published trajectory graphic. Actual visibility will vary with cloud cover, humidity, sun angle and local terrain. Plumes are often easiest to see early in the ascent and when the sun illuminates the exhaust.

How to watch

• Blue Origin typically provides a webcast and live updates; check the company’s official channels for the live stream.
• Local coverage: FloridaToday and affiliated outlets generally begin live coverage about two hours before liftoff and will provide commentary and launcher tracking information.
• Before heading out to view, check current weather, the company’s trajectory/visibility map, and choose an unobstructed, open viewing area with a clear view of the eastern horizon.

If you plan to watch in person, arrive early, bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens, and be prepared for changing conditions. For journalists and photographers, long lenses and a tripod are recommended to capture the plume and ascent. Share sightings and photos responsibly — include time and location so others can compare observations.

Originally published by Naples Daily News; adapted and expanded for clarity and wider audience.