Since the early days of the Mercury program, visitors to the Space Coast have enjoyed NASA launches from Kennedy Space Center and Space Shuttle launches are to continue into 2010 when NASA is planning to retire the space shuttle fleet. When a Space Shuttle launches, people come from all over the country to see it, they are that spectacular. Launches are such a large part of the Space Coast, we made 321 our area code.

All of the launches from Cape Canaveral are spectacular, especially night launches which light up the Space Coast to the awe of residents and visitors alike. There are many excellent places along the beaches and in local parks from which to view the launches. Launch dates change frequently so be sure to make your plans accordingly.

The space shuttle is not the only launch vehicle that lifts-off from Cape Canaveral. EELVs or Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle such as the Delta 2, Atlas 5 and Delta 4 Heavy carries payloads such as GPS satellites and NASA payloads such as the GLAST, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope observatory into orbit well past the space shuttle retirement.

The Space Program has long been a source of technology advances and that continues today. The new Constellation Program will begin in 2015 with flights from Cape Canaveral. The goal of the mission is to set up an outpost on the Moon that will allow a test bed for its ultimate mission to Mars. NASA has been exploring Mars with robotic vehicles and prepare for their ultimate mission, Manned Spaceflight to Mars.

Tourist can also visit the beautiful beaches of Cocoa Beach on the Space Coast. Cocoa Beach is known as the small wave capitol of the East Coast, its wide beaches stretch for more than 10 miles. The area has many shops, restaurants, and hotels as well as a pier jutting 800 feet into the Atlantic, its a popular place to view a launch.

Many Orlando vacationers are already here during launches, by keeping up with the latest news, they'll know when to visit the nearby Space Coast to view a launch. Should a launch happen to get 'scrubbed' there are still many unique experiences to be had along the Space Coast.

The Cocoa Beach Pier is a great place for family fun all day long, after a day playing volleyball or surfing or just hanging out people watching and tanning you can go up the pier and do a little shopping on your way to one of the several fine restaurants there. After dinner go out to the end of the pier and enjoy the view from the Tiki Bar or take the kids to the ice cream parlor & arcade there.

Cape Canaveral is also very close and offers a wide variety of waterfront dining featuring fresh caught seafood mixed with the imagination of local chefs, or just sit back and watch the waves roll in or the ships go out while sipping drinks and taking in great live entertainment.