Kodiak Island is 275 miles south southwest of Anchorage. Launches from Kodiak Island that head south, over the Gulf of Alaska are low on the horizon from Anchorage, up to 6 degrees. The other 7 launch paths do not reach any of the three cities.
Checking the upcoming launches against the sky over Anchorage, AK.
over at least one of Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau
6°
Highest a launch climbs
over Anchorage, heading south, over the Gulf of Alaska
3
Cities worked out
Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau
A rocket can be followed up to about 174 miles in daylight and 621 miles after dark, and a plume lit by the sun above a dark ground carries farther still. The figures here are for a launch at night or in twilight, the best case.
City by city
Launch paths that reach Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau
Each row is a direction rockets fly from one site, with the best view among the three cities. Most launches on the list follow one of these paths, and the tag on each upcoming launch above says which.
Launch paths that reach the sky over Alaska’s three reference cities
Launch heads
From
Best view
Up to
Look
south, over the Gulf of Alaska
Kodiak Island
Low on the horizon from Anchorage
6 degrees
south southwest
Worked out from each launch path and the distance to the city, for a launch at night or in twilight. A fist held at arm’s length is about 10 degrees.
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Where to watch
Where to watch a launch in Alaska
Alaska has a launch site of its own, so the best view is close to the pad. These are the usual public places, each with where the advice comes from.
Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska, AK
Kodiak: small and medium rockets.
Kodiak Island roads and beachesAlaskaLaunches are rare and mostly seen from the island itself.
Reading the list
What the tags mean
What the tags mean
Spectacular A big show. Close enough, or lit by the sun after dark, that the whole climb and the plume are easy to follow.
Visible Plainly visible. A bright point and a trail, well above the treeline.
Low on the horizon Low on the horizon. Up for a short time near the horizon, so you need a clear view in that direction.
Not from here Not from here. Too far, or hidden below the horizon. The webcast is the way to see it.
A rocket in daylight can be followed to about 174 miles, after dark to about 621 miles, and a plume lit by the sun while the ground is dark carries to about 808 miles.
A Falcon 9 launch on June 18, 2024, seen from an ordinary street as the twilight effect lights its plume. No telescope and no trip to the coast: a clear view toward the launch and a phone were enough. “Falcon 9 rocket launch June 18 2024”, Jebeadso, CC0
Alaska rocket launch questions
Kodiak Island is 275 miles south southwest of Anchorage. Launches from Kodiak Island that head south, over the Gulf of Alaska are low on the horizon from Anchorage, up to 6 degrees. The other 7 launch paths do not reach any of the three cities.
Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska is 275 miles south southwest of Anchorage. Fairbanks is 534 miles from Kodiak Island and Juneau is 659 miles from Kodiak Island.
Kodiak Island launches that head south, over the Gulf of Alaska are low on the horizon from Anchorage, up to 6 degrees, first seen in the south southwest. Enter your own ZIP above to see the tag on each upcoming launch.
Twilight. In the hour before sunrise or after sunset the rocket climbs back into sunlight while the ground is dark, and its exhaust spreads into a glowing cloud that carries far farther than the rocket itself in daylight.
At the best, 6 degrees above the horizon from Anchorage. A fist held at arm's length is about 10 degrees, so a rocket under 10 degrees sits near the treeline and one over 20 clears most obstructions.
The Space Devs: Launch Library 2, loaded when you visit. A time is shown as firm only when the provider has set the minute, and every launch can slip, so check the morning of.
Kodiak Island roads and beaches are the usual public places, each listed with its source below. Kodiak Island roads and beaches: Launches are rare and mostly seen from the island itself.
