Security was tighter than usual for the crew launch Friday evening—NASA Security was stopping incoming drivers at the bridge checking admission passes and tickets. I decided spur of the moment to throw caution to the wind and plunk down the ~$80 for the bus transportation ticket to the Banana Creek Viewing Area (if a launch is scrubbed once you’re on the bus, the ticket is considered used).

Launch Complex 39A was previously used alongside 39B for the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, and was the departure point for every one of the twelve astronauts who walked on the moon. 39B is being refurbished for the Artemis program while 39A and SLC-40 are leased by SpaceX for Falcon and Falcon Heavy launches. The Banana Creek Viewing Area at the Apollo/Saturn V Center is the closest the public can get, ~3.9 miles from the pad (any closer than three miles and the sound pressure would severely injure if not kill you).

My Insta360 Flow was not prepared for how far back we’d have to tilt ourselves to watch, and I ended up yanking my phone off of it and going handheld. The booster was to land on Landing Zone 1 instead of out on the ocean, but it came in so fast that it was already on the ground before I could find it in the camera. It didn’t help that the internet feed they were using over the PA was at least two minutes behind.