A flurry of rockets will launch from Florida's Space Coast this year. How to watch Friday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. − Two more rocket launches are on the horizon again this week in Florida.

On Friday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink internet satellites will launch just before 6:45 p.m. You can watch live coverage starting 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

On Saturday, Boeing's Starliner will depart with NASA astronauts bound for the International Space Station. The launch is currently slated for 12:25 p.m., and backup opportunities exist on Sunday. Should Starliner not be able to launch this weekend, additional opportunities exist on Wednesday and Thursday. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been in health quarantine preparing for the flight.

More than 30 rockets have launched from the U.S. Space Force Station in Patrick, Florida, so far this year, putting the Space Coast on track for a yearly total of 96 launches − a new annual record. Last year saw 72 orbital launches.

Most of the rockets are SpaceX, and the rest are NASA and United Launch Alliance, an aerospace and defense company.

As more SpaceX rockets take off from Florida this year, and at a faster pace, the launches have interrupted some events. In March, live coverage of a New York Mets spring training game was momentarily disrupted when announcers were awed by the sight of a SpaceX rocket thundering over the Florida ballpark.

What is Starlink?

More than 70 countries can now access Starlink high-speed internet service, and the constellation of the network's satellites in low-Earth orbit continues to grow.

The low-cost, high-speed internet allows people to connect online in RVs or campers in remote places, and from boats in the ocean, according to the company's website.

A Starlink satellite can last for approximately five years, according to NasaSpaceFlights.com, and SpaceX has been launching them since 2019.

Where to watch rocket launches this year

This Friday and Saturday, depending on cloud cover and the weather, all of Brevard County and the Space Coast should get a great view of the rocket liftoffs once again. Here are some of the top viewing spots we recommend:

Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.

If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast.

Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots).

Some hotspots to check out:

• Jetty Park Beach and Pier, 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there's a charge to park.
• Playalinda Beach, 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there's a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn't always granted depending on capacity and time of day.
• Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park, 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.
• Space View Park, 8 Broad St., Titusville
• Sand Point Park, 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville
• Rotary Riverfront Park, 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)
• Cocoa Village, near the parks and shops or near the docks
• Various parks on Merritt Island
• Rotary Park, 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
• Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island
• Port Canaveral, with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port
• Alan Shepard Park, 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
• Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.
• Lori Wilson Park, 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.
• Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.
• Downtown Cocoa Beach, along Minutemen Causeway
• Tables Beach, 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach
• The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach
• Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach
• Pineda Causeway
• Eau Gallie Causeway
• Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne
• Indialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A
• Paradise Beach Park, aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)
• Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)
• Ambersands Beach Park, 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)
• South Beach Park, 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)
• Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach
• Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach

See a calendar of future launches from the Space Coast here.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY