Space fans across Central Florida share photos, videos of Artemis I rocket launch

As the Artemis I mission rocket blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday morning, people from across Central Florida came out to watch the flight.

The Space Launch System rocket used in the mission was the most powerful rocket ever to launch, with nearly 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

[TRENDING: Artemis I’s launch may be heard from miles away. Here’s how far | New mom loses leg after being pinned by tree, truck in Volusia County during Hurricane Nicole | Become a News 6 Insider]

News 6′s Jason Olson captured the scene from Oviedo, showing the Space Launch System rocket illuminating the night sky in the horizon.

News 6 digital journalist Jacob Langston took this nearly four-minute long exposure photo of the SLS rocket launching over Bethune Beach in New Smyrna Beach.

The National Weather Service also got glimpses of the space-bound rocket, posting a picture of the flight on social media from Melbourne and a heat signature of the rocket from Memphis.

Others took to Twitter to showcase the historic launch, which could be heard from miles away.

The video below by News 6 viewer Omar Izquierdo shows the rocket launch as seen from the Kennedy Space Center’s parking lot near the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The University of Central Florida women’s basketball team had returned to campus after an away game when the launch went off, with the team’s head coach capturing the moment.

Space Florida took a photo from their Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility in Orlando.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: