Anyone done Kennedy Space Center on a scheduled launch day?

[Dianna S]

I'm organizing a gathering for several families and the day that makes best sense for a trip to KSC has a launch scheduled.

Will they get anywhere near the actual space center? How is traffic? What happens if the launch is scrubbed at the last minute? Anyone with experience, please, I'd really appreciate any advice and information.

Thanks!
Dianna

 

[kellymonaghan]

Are you planning to see the launch? If so you better see right away if any tickets are left. Call (321) 867-4636.

Otherwise, the days before and after a launch tend to be busier than usual at KSC, but ironically on the day of the launch itself, the crowds at the Visitors Complex can be thinnner than usual, probably because there at 5,000 people at the viewing site!

If you do go on launch day, head straight to the Launch Status Center at the back of the Visitors Complex, near the big Shuttle mock up. You'll be able to follow the mission minute by minute from there.

Also check out http://www.ksc.nasa.gov and click on "Viewing Launches and Landings."

 

[Dianna S]

rock on, girlfriend--this is just the kind of info I was hoping for

thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

Dianna

 

[scottarcj]

My wife and I were able to get Causeway tickets to view a launch in 1997. We have a friend who is the uncle of one of the shuttle commanders, and who was commanding that particular mission.

We were forutunate in that the launch went off right on time on the day scheduled.

Getting there was pretty easy as we arrived about three hours before scheduled launch. After the launch, however, was a trafiic nightmare.

Getting off of the causeway and base is pretty easy as military personnel are directing traffic. But westbound was a mess until they opened all toll booths on the Bee Line. And southbound was not much better as the roads that way cannot handle so much traffic.

But the launch was an experience I will never forget.

Good luck.

 

[william41]

for kellymonaghan-

we've planned to make a day of it at KSC on the day of the launch- there by 9'ish' or so, do the tours, etc ... and then the launch close to 4 in the afternoon.

My question to you: is everything pretty much a 'go with throttle up' (sorry, couldn't resist) on the day of a launch? I know the KSC website says that the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry will be closed prior to launch, but other than that, will we be able to tour as usual then?

And, yes, I ordered our tickets (Admission Badge & Launch Package) in plenty of time

thanks,

William