About LookToSpace

What LookToSpace Does

Every time a rocket launches, thousands of people within a few hundred miles have a chance to see it — but most of them never know it is happening. LookToSpace fixes that. We pull real-time launch data, calculate the geometry between your location and the launch pad, and give you a compass bearing, a distance in miles or kilometers, a live countdown, and practical guidance on what to expect.

For each launch you will see the expected viewing elevation above your horizon, a weather summary for launch time, and tips on where to stand and when to go outside. We also send optional email alerts before launches that are likely to be visible from your area.

Our Mission

Spaceflight should not be something you only experience on a screen. Every rocket that flies over the eastern seaboard, the Gulf Coast, or the desert Southwest is a genuine spectacle — a streak of light and a rumble that people talk about for years. Our mission is to make that experience accessible to everyone, not just the people lucky enough to live next to a launch pad.

We want you to know about a launch in time to step outside, look in the right direction, and witness something extraordinary.

How It Works

When you enter a city or allow location access, we calculate the great-circle distance and bearing from your position to each upcoming launch site. We then estimate the maximum viewing elevation based on that geometry and the typical flight profile. A higher elevation generally means a more dramatic view; anything above roughly 5 degrees above the horizon is worth watching.

We combine that geometry with a weather forecast for your location at launch time so you can judge whether skies are likely to be clear. All of this updates automatically as launch schedules change.

Data Sources

Launch data — including rocket names, agencies, launch sites, and scheduled times — comes from the Launch Library 2 API maintained by The Space Devs (thespacedevs.com). It is one of the most comprehensive and actively maintained sources of global launch information available, and we are grateful to the volunteers who keep it running.

Weather forecasts are provided by Open-Meteo (open-meteo.com), an open-source weather API that delivers hourly forecasts with no usage fees for non-commercial access. Launch times and weather conditions can change at short notice; always check for updates close to launch time.

A Note From the Builder

I built LookToSpace because I kept missing launches that were visible from my backyard. I would read about a Falcon 9 launch the next morning and realise it had passed almost directly overhead the night before. I wanted a tool that would just tell me: look southwest at 9:47 PM. This is that tool.

I am a space enthusiast, not a rocket scientist. If you have ideas, feedback, or just want to say you saw a launch because of this site, I would love to hear from you.

Contact

Questions, feedback, press inquiries, and partnership requests are all welcome. Reach us at hello@looktospace.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.