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The Space Coast is a region on the east coast of the state of Florida and is thus mainly known for housing the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), where NASA launched all manned missions to the Moon, including the famous Apollo 11. However, this area offers much more than just space exploration. The Space Coast is only 1 hour away from Orlando and is a destination with more than 110 km of coastline, with paradisiacal beaches and several outdoor activity options. The region has been gaining prominence on the map of Florida. For those who want to rest a little from the marathon of the parks, it is worth knowing on the next trip to Orlando.

Space Coast: Discover the Space Coast in Florida
Rocket being launched from the Space Coast, or Space Coast, in Florida – Image: Pixabay

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the heart of the Space Coast. Located at Cape Canaveral, the KSC is now an icon of space exploration. Its creation in 1958 was an initiative of the then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, who aimed to send a man to the Moon. His wish was fulfilled in 1969 with the launch of Apollo 11.

Today, the Kennedy Space Center remains at the forefront of space exploration, with a series of ambitious projects underway. The Artemis program, led by NASA, aims to return astronauts to the Moon, as well as more daring projects such as future manned missions to Mars.

The complex is open to the public and is a great walk near Orlando (1 hour by car), for those who want to vary the itinerary of the parks and shopping a little.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore interactive exhibitions, see historical spacecraft, try launch simulators and even watch real launches when they happen.

Why are rockets launched from the Space Coast?

An interesting curiosity explains why Space Coast is the region chosen by NASA to launch its rockets.

The main reason has to do with the rotation of the earth!

The earth rotates from west to east and its highest rotation speed is on the equator line. In this way, gaining this “boost” of the speed of the earth’s rotation, which adds to the speed of the rocket, is very important.

This is the main reason for the rocket to be launched in low latitude regions.

There are, of course, several other US regions even closer to the Equator line. However, they are more densely populated regions, which would bring a greater risk of exposure to debris that may eventually fall to the ground in the event of an unsuccessful launch.

Elon Musk’s influence on the Space Coast

We couldn’t help but mention billionaire Elon Musk in this article about the Space Coast in Florida.

Musk has a strong influence on space projects, with the creation of Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, as it is more popularly known. Its objective, not at all timid, is simply to enable the distribution of human civilization through space.

The first rocket launched from SpaceX was named Falcon 1 in 2006. The last was the Falcon 9, launched in August 2023, with six astronauts on board.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX also owns the Starlink project, a satellite service that aims to offer high-power broadband internet at low costs, even in more remote regions. For this, Musk intends to send more than 12,000 satellites into space.

The entry into SpaceX was a milestone in space exploration for being the first private company to explore space, achieving feats that only NASA had achieved.

Do you want to know more about Elon Musk’s story? Click here

The beautiful beaches of the Space Coast

The beaches of the Space Coast are some of the most beautiful in the world. Beaches such as Cocoa Beach offer white sand and turquoise waters, as well as a relaxing environment for families and wave places for surfing. Other cities worth mentioning on the Coast are Daytona Beach (also known as Orlando Beach), Satellite Beach, Titusville, Merritt Island, Palm Bay and Melbourne.

It is perfectly possible to stay in Orlando and take a trip to the beautiful beaches and cities of the Space Coast. And all this is less than 1 (one) hour from Orlando! Discover the best beaches near Orlando

Canaveral National Park offers pristine beaches, hiking trails, wildlife observation areas, and the opportunity to see sea turtles in their natural habitat. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a wide variety of migratory and local birds.

See also: Cities near Orlando you need to know

The impact of Space Coast’s growth on Orlando’s real estate sector

The growth of the Space Coast in Florida considerably impacts Orlando’s real estate sector, as more tourists and professionals would visit Florida in search of tourism in the region.

Orlando, because it is centrally located and near the Space Coast, will be even more in demand, which will increase the demand for real estate in the region, especially those aimed at seasonal rentals, the so-called Vacation Homes.

The city of Orlando already receives more than 75 million people every year. It is easy to understand why the region brings one of the highest expected returns for those who seek to invest in real estate focused on Airbnb.

About AMG International Realty

AMG International Realty is a global real estate agency specialized in Florida and aimed at the foreign public. If you want to know more about real estate opportunities in Florida, contact me right now and chat with me on WhatsApp: +1 305 761 2655 (Heloisa Arazi).