NASA offers first live 360 stream of rocket launch

Watch Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft take live in a new realistic way.
By | Published: April 17, 2017 | Last updated on May 18, 2023
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The International Space Station receiving Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft for a resupply mission in October 2016.
NASA

Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft will launch on Tuesday, April 18 during a 30-minute window that starts at 11:11 a.m. EDT. Not only is NASA, in coordination with United Launch Alliance and Orbital ATK, offering a live stream of the rocket launch, but it will be the first live 360-degree stream of a rocket launch.

The spacecraft will launch on a ULA Atlas V rocket and is going to be carrying over 7,600 pounds of supplies for the International Space Station, including hardware and research and crew supplies.

On a computer, users can drag the mouse up and down and back and forth for the 360-degree view around Space Launch Complex-41. Pairing the 360 video stream with virtual reality headsets will make the experience feel as realistic as standing on the actual launch pad.

Be warned that not all browsers support 360 viewing, but Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera browsers all support it. The live 360 stream will be on the NASA Television YouTube channel and will start 10 minutes before lift off.