TITTUSVILLE, FLa. – Less than 24 hours after a massive explosion involving a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket at Launch Complex 36, rocket launches continued along Florida’s Space Coast, drawing crowds of spectators eager to watch another mission take flight.
On Friday evening, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully launched, marking the second successful launch from the Cape since Thursday night’s explosion. Earlier Friday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket also lifted off without incident.
[BELOW: SpaceX launches Starlink mission hours after New Glenn explosion]
The back-to-back launches came as many visitors and residents were still processing the dramatic explosion that lit up the sky over Cape Canaveral the night before.
“One word, awesome,” said a spectator while watching the Atlas V launch from Space View Park in Titusville.
“Every time there is a launch, everyone is really excited,” he said. “When it goes up, it’s just like watching someone kick a field goal.”
Another spectator, said the excitement surrounding launches remains strong regardless of recent setbacks.
Many launch watchers said they were surprised operations resumed so quickly following the explosion.
[RELATED: Footage shows Blue Origin rocket’s explosion along Central Florida coast]
“It’s amazing. Absolutely amazing,” said another visitor. “We just assumed when one blew up on the launch pad, it would be canceled for days or weeks. So, it’s amazing they can carry on so quickly.”
Katie Egli, who was visiting from Kansas City with her family, said they had concerns after hearing about the explosion but were relieved to witness a successful launch.
“We heard about the explosion and how that went down and were worried about that, but glad we were able to see a launch today,” Egli said.
She added that the continued pace of launches demonstrates the resilience of the space industry.
“I think it’s amazing, the resilience of all these space programs and that they are continuing to try to explore and make these things happen,” she said.
Others pointed to the size and capabilities of the Cape’s launch infrastructure.
“Technology is just incredible right now,” said a spectator.
For 10-year-old Bryleigh Bradley, the launches serve as inspiration for her own future ambitions.
“I want to be an astronaut,” she said. “Because it’s cool. Most people are down here and then you’re up in space.”
Bryleigh said Thursday’s explosion also reminded her of the Apollo 1 tragedy, which claimed the lives of three astronauts during a ground test in 1967.
“That’s what I thought about honestly,” she said, adding she was thankful no one was injured in Thursday’s mishap.
Among the crowds gathered Friday evening, many shared that sentiment, expressing gratitude that the explosion did not result in injuries while celebrating another successful day of launches along the Space Coast.