"Space Coast Buzz: Lunar Flyby Mission, New Developments, Mortgage Highs, and More!" 🌙🚀🌴

Must See Photos of NASA's Artemis II Lunar Flyby Mission

Check out the amazing images of the Lunar Fly By Mission of Artemis II Lunar Flyby! Brevard County is all about Space Exploration!

Trivia Question❓

What were the names of the two American spacecraft that first landed humans on the moon?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

On This Day in History — April 16

1746 - The Battle of Culloden takes place in Scotland, resulting in a decisive victory for the British government forces over the Jacobite rebels.

1862 - Slavery is abolished in Washington, D.C. as President Abraham Lincoln signs the Compensated Emancipation Act.

1943 - Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovers the psychedelic effects of LSD.

2007 - The Virginia Tech shooting occurs, resulting in the deaths of 32 people and injuring 23 others.

Space Coast Weekend Events:

April 16–19, 2026

Space Coast & Brevard County Weekend Events Guide

MELBOURNE

Thursday, April 16

Illumi-Nature at Brevard Zoo
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Brevard Zoo, 8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
Description: A glowing after-dark zoo experience with more than 1,000 illuminated displays, themed food and drinks, and immersive walk-through light scenes.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

The Civil War: The Musical
Time: Runs April 10 - April 19 (check showtime on ticket page)
Location: The Henegar Center, 625 E New Haven Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901
Description: A dramatic theatrical concert with live orchestra, drawing on letters, diaries, and historical voices from the Civil War era.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

Saturday, April 18

Downtown Melbourne Farmers Market at Riverview Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Riverview Park, 2301 Irwin St, Melbourne, FL 32901
Description: Local farmers market with fresh foods, baked goods, and local growers — a solid weekend stop for readers looking for a casual daytime outing.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

BSO Season Finale: Creation
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL
Description: The Brevard Symphony Orchestra closes its season with Dan Forrest’s Creation, joined by chorus and guest singers for a big, uplifting performance.
Event Link: View Event Listing
Map: Open Map

VIERA

Thursday, April 16

Suntree / Viera Public Library - Read Your Way to K Playdate
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Suntree / Viera Public Library, 902 Jordan Blass Dr, Melbourne, FL 32940
Description: A smaller local family-friendly library program for babies and toddlers with caregivers — a nice community calendar item for parents in the Viera area.
Event Link: Library Page
Map: Open Map

Sunday, April 19

Fit4Mom Family Run Club Viera
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Linear Trail at the Brevard Zoo, 8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
Description: Free family run club open to all, designed as a relaxed weekend fitness meet-up for parents and kids.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

PALM BAY

Saturday, April 18

Space Coast Harley-Davidson Spring Event Day
Time: Saturday programming listed for April 18
Location: Space Coast Harley-Davidson, 1440 Sportsman Ln NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905
Description: Palm Bay’s Harley venue lists an April 18 lineup including a moto training course and live music by the Chris Cornish Band as part of its spring event schedule.
Event Link: View Event Schedule
Map: Open Map

ROCKLEDGE

Saturday, April 18

Rockledge Gardens Saturday Vendor Pop-Up
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Rockledge Gardens, 2153 US-1, Rockledge, FL
Description: Weekly Saturday market-style pop-up in The Market featuring local vendor Ya Motha’s Bread with fresh sourdough, English muffins, pastries, and more.
Event Link: View Event Page
Map: Open Map

Rockledge Trash Bash 2026
Time: Saturday morning (see official post for exact details)
Location: Rockledge / Tweed Memorial Park area
Description: Community cleanup event promoted by the City of Rockledge as a weekend volunteer opportunity to help beautify the city.
Event Link: View Event Post
Map: Open Map

COCOA BEACH

Friday, April 17

An Evening with the Stars 2026
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, Cocoa Beach, FL
Description: Reader and author event with free admission, raffle baskets, desserts, photo booth, and a meet-and-greet atmosphere for book lovers.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

CAPE CANAVERAL

Friday, April 17

Cape Canaveral Library - Brick by Brick
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Cape Canaveral Library, 201 Polk Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Description: Small local library activity for kids ages 6-12 featuring open LEGO building time with an adult.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

MERRITT ISLAND

Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 19

2026 Merritt Island Marine Flea Market & Boat Show
Time: Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; continues Sunday
Location: Merritt Square Mall, 777 E Merritt Island Cswy, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Description: Two-day family-friendly marine market and boat show with boating vendors, gear, and waterfront lifestyle browsing.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

PORT ST. JOHN

Thursday, April 16

Port St. John Public Library - Spice Club
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Port St. John Public Library, 6500 Carole Ave, Port St. John, FL 32927
Description: Small community library program highlighted on the branch page, good for a local-interest calendar section.
Event Link: Library Page
Map: Open Map

TITUSVILLE

Thursday, April 16

Spring into Community - Community Meal
Date: April 16
Location: 725 S Deleon Ave, Titusville, FL
Description: Local community meal listed on the Titusville main calendar — a smaller neighborhood-focused event with community-service appeal.
Event Link: View Calendar
Map: Open Map

Saturday, April 18

Earth Day Festival
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, 444 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL 32780
Description: Free family-friendly festival with crafts, vendors, food trucks, guest speakers, and environmental exhibitors.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

MIMS

Thursday, April 16

Mims / Scottsmoor Public Library - Cook the Book Club
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Mims / Scottsmoor Public Library, 3615 Lionel Rd, Mims, FL 32754
Description: A smaller local library gathering featured on the branch page, ideal for readers looking for quieter community happenings north of Titusville.
Event Link: Library Page
Map: Open Map

COUNTYWIDE / NEARBY EXTRAS WORTH INCLUDING

Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19

Grant BBQ Festival
Time: Starts Friday at 3:00 PM; continues through Sunday
Location: Grant Seafood Festival grounds, 4580 1st St, Grant, FL
Description: Three-day BBQ weekend with live music, food, drinks, classic cars and motorcycles on Saturday, vendors, arts, and crafts.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

Saturday, April 18

Cocoa Village Annual Book Fest
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Historic Cocoa Village, 12 Stone St, Cocoa, FL 32922
Description: Literary celebration with 50+ authors, readings, signings, story walk activities, and village-wide stops inside local businesses.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

42nd Bark Brew Fest
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Dirty Oar Beer Company, 329 King St, Cocoa, FL 32922
Description: Dog-friendly fundraising evening with drinks, food, bingo, raffle baskets, and support for Great Dane Love rescue.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

Brevard County 4-H Fair & Market Poultry Auction
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: UF/IFAS Extension, 3695 Lake Dr, Cocoa, FL
Description: Community fair showcasing youth projects, exhibits, silent auction, and live poultry auction.
Event Link: View Event
Map: Open Map

Quote Of The Day

"Live each day as if it were your last, and never stop chasing your dreams. The only limits in life are the ones you set for yourself."

🚀 Space Coast Rocket Launches (FL)

Aril 16, 2026–April 24, 2026

April 16 – April 24, 2026

🚀 Sunday, April 19, 2026 — 6:45 AM ET
Blue Origin New Glenn | BlueBird 7 (Block 2 FM2)
📍 LC-36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Blue Origin will launch an AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block 2 satellite into low Earth orbit. This next-generation satellite is designed to deliver direct-to-cell broadband service from space, supporting voice, data, and video.
This mission is expected to mark the first reflight of a New Glenn booster.

Status: To Be Confirmed
Window: Until 9:43 AM ET

🚀 Monday, April 20, 2026 — 2:48 AM ET
SpaceX Falcon 9 | GPS III SV10 (“Hedy Lamarr”)
📍 SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

SpaceX will launch the tenth and final GPS III satellite for the U.S. Space Force. This advanced satellite improves positioning accuracy, reliability, and anti-jamming protection for users worldwide.

Status: To Be Confirmed

🔎 Also on the Horizon (Not in This Date Range)
ULA Atlas V carrying Amazon Kuiper (LA-06) is tracking no earlier than April 27, 2026.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy carrying ViaSat-3 F3 is currently listed as TBD April 2026.

Margarita Island Expands to Indian Harbour Beach, Enhancing Local Mexican Cuisine Scene

Margarita Island is bringing a vibrant taste of coastal Mexico to Indian Harbour Beach this May, opening its newest restaurant at 445 E. Eau Gallie Blvd.

The locally popular eatery takes over the former Masa Taqueria y Cantina spot, becoming its third Space Coast location and sixth in Florida.

Guests can expect a tropical twist on classic Mexican fare, featuring inventive dishes like bacon goat cheese chiles toreados and Ixtapa chipotle salmon, plus crowd-pleasers such as fajitas and taco salads.

A lively full-service bar plans to spotlight signature margaritas, mezcaritas, and Mexican mules, enhancing the festive experience.

Joining beloved local hotspots like Fiesta Jalisco and Cazadores Mexican Restaurant, Margarita Island’s arrival underscores the area’s growing passion for Mexican cuisine.

Residents and visitors can look forward to a fresh culinary destination that celebrates bold flavors and coastal energy, further enriching Indian Harbour Beach’s dynamic dining scene.

Average Mortgage Payment Hits Historic High

Homeowners are facing new financial challenges as average monthly mortgage payments have climbed above $2,000 for the first time, hitting $2,005 in late 2025.

This marks a dramatic 44% jump since 2021, with monthly costs rising by more than $600 in just three years, putting added strain on family budgets.

Both elevated interest rates—averaging 6.3% in 2025—and persistent high home prices are major factors behind this increase, making it tougher for many to afford homeownership.

The so-called lock-in effect, where homeowners stick with their low-rate mortgages and hesitate to sell, is slowly waning.

More mortgages now carry rates between 5% and 6%, hinting that supply could loosen as people begin to move.

Despite these hurdles, the market shows resilience: Pending home sales rose 3.9% in March 2026, and new listings jumped by over 21% from February.

Still, with rates anticipated to stay steady and prices inching up, affordability remains a concern for would-be buyers.

New Construction Homes in Brevard County, FL — Prices Still Dropping, Buyer Incentives and Lower Interest Rates!

(STILL THE BEST DEALS)

View ALL New Construction Homes In Brevard! https://NewHomesBrevard.com.

New Listing! Rockledge Condo

Fresh Painted 2/2 Rockledge Condo
Move-In Ready, Great Location, Community Pool

Click Here For 360 Tour of 1515 Huntington Ln

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The two American spacecraft that first landed humans on the moon were Apollo 11 and Apollo 12.

This newsletter is produced and sponsored by HouseMax Pro Realty

Let HouseMax Pro Realty and The Fleckinger Team Help You Sell Your Home or Purchase Your Next Home With Over 30+ Years of Real Estate Experience in Brevard County

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Special Community News & Events!

Brevard Discovery Garden 4th Annual Spring Fling

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am - 3pm

What: Brevard Discovery Garden’s 4th Annual Spring Fling

in partnership with Brevard Backyard Beekeepers

Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival

Where: UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Facility in Cocoa, 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa, FL 32926

Attendees can expect:

A wide selection of native and Florida-Friendly plants grown by local Master Gardeners
Pollinator-focused education, with special programs on beekeeping
Family-friendly activities and children’s programming
Educational talks, demonstrations, and garden tours
Opportunities to meet Master Gardeners and local beekeepers
Vendors, exhibitors, and hands-on learning experiences

https://www.facebook.com/BrevardDiscoveryGarden

https://www.facebook.com/BrevardBeekeepers

Download Flyer Here!