With NASA’s Artemis II crew set to launch around the moon in early 2026, Brevard looks poised for its own launch of elevated tourism numbers as spectators and media descend on the Space Coast for the historic mission.
As soon as February 6, four astronauts will lift off on NASA’s SLS rocket from Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a 10-day mission which will return humanity to the vicinity of the moon for the first time since 1972.
When it launched in Nov. 2022, Artemis I drew record crowds, triggering traffic jams around Brevard County. And that mission was an uncrewed test flight.
Meagan Happel, Space Coast Office of Tourism public relations manager, told FLORIDA TODAY via email that during the Artemis I launch, nearby hotels were fully booked by companies involved in the project, out-of-town visitors and media eager to witness the event.
“Milestone launches like this have seen between 100,000-250,000 visitors heading to the Space Coast in the past few years,” wrote Happel. “We anticipate seeing similar crowds as Artemis II sends astronauts on a lunar flyby; the first time a crew has been in the vicinity of the moon since 1972’s Apollo 17 mission.”
Courtyard by Marriott and Hyatt Place which are located off U.S. 1 in Titusville —just across the river from the Kennedy Space Center — are already sold out through the targeted February launch dates.
In Cocoa Beach, Four Points by Sheraton and Hilton Garden Inn also are largely booked for those dates. Others still have availability but seem to be going fast.
Artemis II coincides with 250th USA anniversary
Happel adds that the planned Artemis II launch is especially meaningful because 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Many people will want to be here as the space program milestone falls on a celebratory year.
“There is a tremendous amount of excitement surrounding Artemis II, particularly as it marks the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years,” Russell Bruhn, senior communications manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex said in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY. “As anticipation for this historic launch builds, and based on attendance for the Artemis I launch, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex expects record-setting attendance.”
Those packing Brevard parks, beaches and the KSC Visitor Complex will not just be tourists, journalists are already locked in on coverage planning.
NASA representatives have said the agency has received an overwhelming number of media applications to cover the launch. The Kennedy Space Center press site, which is typically calm during regular crewed and science missions, is expected to be packed as media from all over the world descend on the Cape.
Due to the high demand, multiple media outlets as well as social media influencers have already received rejections to cover the launch from the press site, with some taking to social media to voice disappointment.
How to prepare ahead of Artemis II launch day
FLORIDA TODAY reported during the Artemis I launch that Florida Department of Transportation warned of backups on roads leading toward the Cape, including S.R. 528. Be sure to plan appointments and engagements carefully as we head closer to the launch day.
On launch day, leave early as popular viewing spots are likely to be packed.
Those who want to get close to the action, but are not media or NASA employees, can keep an eye out for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex launch viewing tickets. While not on sale yet, the experience is the closest the general public can get to a rocket launch.
While the launch date could move for a number of reasons, all indications are that NASA is aggressively targeting that early February period.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will continue to report the latest Artemis II updates at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.