The tickets are for a limited number of spaces on-site.
You can watch for free from outside the Space Center property. I did that when the Saturn V rocket blasted off with the first astronauts to land on the moon's surface. It was a wholly different perspective to see the ENOURMOUS cloud of exhaust smoke engulf the area, with the relatively tiny appearing rocket rising at its peak. Not to mention the loud sound, even at that off-site distance.
And, there was no charge .
In those days, we did not have portable TVs in our pockets (cell phones) that could also show us the close-ups being broadcast to all (free) on national television.
So, with the ability to see it from a distance that shows the whole picture, plus the televised and streamed close ups and on-board camera shots, it will be even better sitting on the beach, now.