Florida’s Space Coast Prepares For Influx Of Visitors For Artemis II Launch

The lunar horizon beckons, and with it, a surge of visitors to Florida’s storied Space Coast. NASA’s Artemis II mission, slated for early 2026, promises to reignite the fervor that swept the region during the uncrewed Artemis I launch in November 2022. On February 6, 2026, four astronauts will embark on a 10-day journey aboard the SLS rocket from Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, venturing into the moon’s vicinity for the first time since 1972. As the anticipation builds, Brevard County is bracing for an influx of spectators and media, with estimates suggesting between 100,000 to 250,000 visitors will descend upon the area.

Meagan Happel, public relations manager for the Space Coast Office of Tourism, notes that milestone launches of this magnitude have consistently drawn massive crowds recently. Hotels in the vicinity are already feeling the strain, with many reporting full or near-full bookings for the Artemis II launch dates. The Four Points by Sheraton and Hilton Garden Inn in Cocoa Beach are among those largely booked, with others rapidly losing availability.