NASA's Artemis II rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center is expected to draw 400,000 visitors to Brevard County, pushing local hotels to capacity ahead of the planned April 1 liftoff. The event, part of NASA's Moon to Mars program, has already prompted a surge in bookings for the weekend of March 27 to April 3, with vacation rentals and hotel rooms selling quickly. "It's spring break and the weather is perfect," said one travel agent in Titusville. "People are booking last-minute to see the launch." The closest viewing spots are along the Space Coast's 72-mile coastline, with Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral offering unobstructed views of the rocket's ascent, pending cloud cover. Orlando is about 120 miles inland, making it a less ideal spot for spectators. "The closer you are to the launch site, the better the view," said a NASA spokesperson. "But even from farther out, the explosion of light and sound is visible." The SLS rocket is scheduled to lift off no earlier than 6:24 p.m. on April 1, though NASA has contingency dates if weather delays the launch. Local businesses are preparing for the influx, with restaurants and souvenir shops reporting increased inventory. "We've seen a 300% increase in hotel inquiries since January," said a manager at a resort in Palm Bay. "It's the busiest we've been since the Space Shuttle days." The launch will be the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, sending astronauts around the Moon before returning to Earth. Scientists say the mission will test systems for future lunar exploration and Mars missions. For visitors, the event offers a rare chance to witness a historic moment in spaceflight from the ground. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said a tourist from Ohio who booked a hotel room in Merritt Island. "I've never seen anything like this."