400,000 expected for Artemis II launch as fake ticket scams surge

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (WINK) — With 400,000 people expected to head to the area for this week's Artemis II launch, WINK News security analyst Richard Kolko has a warning about buying tickets.

Tickets for the Kennedy Space Center are sold out to the general public. However, ticket offers may appear online on platforms like Reddit or Facebook.

"Fair warning, these are likely fraudulent," Kolko said.

NASA and other officials warn against purchasing tickets from unofficial sources. Fraudulent resellers on platforms like Reddit or Facebook often offer tickets for high-profile missions and disappear after receiving payment through non-refundable methods like Zelle. Street fraudsters near the park entrance have been caught selling used or counterfeit tickets and hand-stamps to unsuspecting visitors.

Third-party sellers may be legal, but often have outlandish markups. 

Kolko recommends only purchasing tickets through the official Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex website. Tickets on Reddit, Facebook or Craigslist are high-risk for fraud.

Rocket launches are highly dependent on weather and technical factors. Review the refund and scrub policy before buying to avoid "sticker shock" if a cancellation occurs.

Free alternatives are available to view launches from public beaches in Cocoa Beach or Titusville, where visitors only pay for parking.

"If you do decide to buy, avoid pressure to act quickly," Kolko said. "And also, if anyone ever asks you to pay with a gift card, it's fake."

For those unable to attend, the launch can be watched on WINK News.