Anyone ever at KSC for a Shuttle Launch?

[canwegosoon]

We have tickets(and a car) to go to the KSC for the 3/15 launch at 6am(it is for the Alantis STS117 mission). Has anyone done this before? This will be our first...when should we get there (I think we have to be there a min of 2 hrs. before launch since we are in the Visitor's Center, but how much earlier do people go to stake out a spot?) Do I need soming to sit on, ear plugs, etc....Anyone have any other advice? Thanks Terri
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[canwegosoon]

Ok Florida people where are you.....

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

We've never watched from KSC, but I'd love to someday. Most nearby FL people just go out in their yards to watch If we're feeling really sporting, sometimes we go up on the roof for a better view One thing that is nice to have is a handheld radio. That way you can listen to Mission Control and the shuttle crew as it is launched.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well--the launches at crazy hours should be easier to get to.....6am with a minimum show up by 4...I would plan on showing up between 2 and 3...and just setting a cell phone alarm to get a little bit of extra sleep in the parking lot. That would be contingent on when they "open" to allow you to park.

daytime and evening launches tend to have a bit more traffic out...and as stated..most of us watch from our yards.

Verify when they will allow vehicular traffic to arrive for the launch and then plan accordingly.


As far as something to sit on.. ...the hood of your car would work . I'm not sure of the configuration of where you watch the launch at KSC.

Ear plugs might be good since you are for all intents and purposes...."right there" for the launch. You will be about a mile or so away at least. I know it is loud on TV and those cameras are far away.

Bring a camera, bring a video camera--and ENJOY! Launches are breathtaking!

Channel 6 (CBS) as well as the other stations show the launches live..so you can tune them in at 87.7 on the radio as that is their audio frequency and the only local station on the radio.

 

[canwegosoon]

Great ideas ...thank you. We are going to be watching from some place (I believe the visitors center)inside. A friend of the family is top level pilot with something like the Military(can't post) and he is checking on other inside information for us .

 

[canwegosoon]

Bumping one more time

 

[Tinks]

Maybe I can help?? We drove to KSC for the July 1st launch this past summer. Yes, I said July first. It is true to plan to arrive 2 hours or more prior to launch. The traffic was unbelievable! (but they moved it through fairly well.)

We parked in the lot and brought our cameras, blankets, applied sunscreen to our noses, and we were off. Once you are through security check you are free to roam the center. People were staking out spots 2 hours prior to the launch. We went with BIL and his wife and their 2 boys. SIL and I held the spots while the boys wandered. Then, we switched, and SIL and I wandered and picked up drinks and snacks.

It was very exciting up until they cancelled our launch.

The shuttle did finally go up on July 4th, but we weren't able to come back to watch it. If your launch gets scrubbed, they allow you to return for that launch whenever it happens to go.

Good luck! I would plan to arrive by 3:30- 3:45 just to be safe. Bring binoculars, cameras. I'm not sure which kind of ticket you purchased, but they do sell a more expensive option that takes you by bus from the main center where the masses are viewing the launch to an area closer with better viewing. We didn't opt to purchase that and I really think you'll be fine viewing it from the center. Let us know how it goes! I never thought about the ear plugs, but they might come in handy!

 

[Tinks]

One more thing! KSC had some bleacher seating area for the launch, but the seating actually faced away from the launch pad and toward several large screens they had set up. Many people chose to sit there. Prior to launch, a NASA astronaut was answering questions and giving a little spiel down in front of those screen (and he was televised up on the screens talking.) We chose to set up along a concrete retaining wall facing the launch pad where we saw several guys with large cameras/tripods setting up.

 

[seven dwarfs]

We did this is September. It was not planned but we were there and always wanted to see it. We went on a Friday and the launch was scrubbed. We went back on that Saturday and the launch was a success. The kids really enjoyed it. We did too. They are plenty of spots all over to watch. Most of the chairs are taken pretty fast. We arrived two hours before launch. We had no problem finding a good spot. I would do it again if we had the chance.