Will virus keep spectators from astronaut launch?

ORLANDO, FLA. — In ordinary times, the beaches and roads along Florida’s Space Coast would be packed with hundreds of thousands of spectators, eager to witness the first astronaut launch from

Florida in nine years.

In the age of coronavirus, local officials and NASA are split on whether that’s a good idea.

NASA and SpaceX are urging spectators to stay at home next Wednesday for safety reasons. Officials in Brevard

County, home to the Kennedy Space Center, are rolling out the welcome mat in an effort to jump-start a tourism industry hit hard this spring by coronavirus-related lockdowns.

If people are comfortable coming and watching the launch, “by all means, come.

If they aren’t, I respect that too,” said Brevard County

Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

“I’m not going to tell Americans they can’t watch a great piece of history. I’m just not going to do it,” he said.

The sheriff said he is asking visitors to practice social distancing as they watch the launch of astronauts Doug

Hurley and Bob Behnken on a test flight of SpaceX’s

Dragon crew capsule.

Around 85 reserve depufacilitate social distancing ties will be on hand to moni- inside the Kennedy Space tor crowds and ask people to Center by limiting access. comply with social distancThe visitor center at Kening if they are in groups. A nedy, usually a prime spot for local chain of beach shops viewing launches, is closed is distributing 20,000 masks to the public. to spectators in coordinaNASA astronauts have not tion with the sheriff ’s office, launched from the U.S. since Ivey said. the space shuttle program

The sheriff, who grew up ended in 2011. It will be the in Florida watching launches, first attempt by a private wants a new generation to company to fly astronauts be able to experience the to orbit for the space agency. energy, excitement and feel“The challenge that we’re ings of patriotism that comes up against right now is we from watching a U.S. launch want to keep everybody with astronauts. safe,” Bridenstine said. “And

“NASA is a true part of our so we’re asking people not to history in Brevard County,” travel to the Kennedy Space Ivey said. Center, and I will tell you

After a two-day safety that makes me sad to even review, NASA and SpaceX say it. Boy, I wish we could on Friday cleared the rocket make this into something for flight next Wednesday. really spectacular.” Liftoff time is 4:33 p.m. EDT. Although crowd sizes var

Earlier this month, NASA ied, a high-profile space shutAdministrator Jim BridenVsi-rustlceolatunucehdconuAld5attract a half tine asked potential spec- million visitors to the Space tators to watch the launch Coast. Local tourism offionline or on TV from home. cials think this week’s launch The space agency is also will bring in no more than offering a “virtual launch 200,000 spectators. experience.”

NASA is doing its best to

— ASSOCIATED PRESS