Bob who know this I bet - shuttle to shuttle launch?

[parrotheadlois]

We certainly didn't plan it for this, but there's a space shuttle launch scheduled for Friday, October 10th. We're thinking about driving over (to where, we don't know). east someplace.

Are there any kind of space shuttle shuttles??? I'd much rather go with someone with practice.

We were at WDW for a previous launch, an early evening launch that we saw from the entrance to the studios. That was amazing!!!

It's hard to not take advantage of the opportunity of being there and being able to see one close up.

My sister tried this two years ago. On their way back to NJ, they detoured to the space center area and, along with hundreds of others, just pulled over - and waited - and waited - and waited. Eventually that mission was scrubbed for that day and they had to go home.

Her advice - bring chairs, a cooler and try not to drink too much - especially the girls in the group.

My husband is ambivalent about this, I'd have to have a really good plan - he doesn't like "winging it."

Has anyone ever done this??

thanks,
Lois

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Lois,

The best avenue to take from Disney is SR 528 east. (also known as the Beachline and previously as "the Beeline")

Please keep in mind that MANY other folks will be doing this exact same thing and that traffic can be snarled for hours before and after the launch.

Also....the best spots (those near a bathroom) disappear very early in the day. Being prepared is important.

Launches can be seen from almost all of central FL but having a sight line to the launch site is a HIGHLY coveted thing and you will have to be fast and early to achieve that.

Good luck.

 

[parrotheadlois]

thanks Kevin!

ps thread s/b Bob WOULD know this I bet...

 

[LilGMom]

If you decide to stay in the parks for the launch head over to Mission Space at launch time. We saw one as it came up over MS and as a space fan I will tell you that it was an amazing sight. I get a little choked up (don't ask me why because I'm not sure) whenever I watch a shuttle go up on the tv so to see one in person, even if it was from as far away as Epcot, was sooooo awesome. I'd still love to make it over to KSC for a launch but with little kids that could care less about it I can't see putting them, or me, through the traffic or time spent waiting.

Hope you make it over and take tons of pictures.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Any other good spots to catch if from? I know we caught it outside the AC on Pleasure Island one year, but with that being closed....

any good ideas?

 

[MenashaCorp]

I heah the Fah end of the Pahking Lawt is a prime spot...

 

[parrotheadlois]

it'll definitely be a "Bawb" moment.

I'm sure my dh would like that Mission Space idea much better than driving down the road to ??

Although my sister really enjoyed the experience. They were close enough to see the shuttle itself (it was far, but they could see it with binoculars).

 

[DisneyKevin]

I forget what the actual distance is...but you cant get within miles of the launch site.

NASA has a site where you can get tickets to sit in the very closest spot and sit with the VIPs.

I apologize....I have no idea what the site is or where to find it....but I do know that the tickets go months and moths in advance and that if the launch is canceled...so are your tickets.

 

[parrotheadlois]

Yes, I actually found that. The tickets (for 2) were somewhat more than $80and if the launch doesn't happen, they're good for the next launch. Understandable, but not very convenient if you're not from the area. I don't know if you could sell them (like on E-Bay), but we just don't want to lay out $80 we could be using for yummy food during the F&W!

 

[LilGMom]

NASA has a site where you can get tickets to sit in the very closest spot and sit with the VIPs.

NASA launch viewing tickets

It appears that all of the tickets for the Oct. launch are sold out.

 

[parrotheadlois]

NASA launch viewing tickets

It appears that all of the tickets for the Oct. launch are sold out.

I called Tuesday afternoon, tickets were still available then. $40.56 p/p

I also researched that Jetty Park, located at 400 E Jetty Road, Cape Canaveral would be an excellent place to watch. Of course, I don't know what time you'd have to get to Jetty Park (could be the night before) and for us, that's our very first MNSSHP! I know! We could leave MNSSHP and drive right to Jetty Park (in our rental car) and just sleep there....yeah, right.....

 

[Renysmom]

Didn't Bob do a feature on one of the last shuttles that went up?? I don't know which podcast episode it was but I bet it is in the podcast log.

You may want to go find it and have a listen.

 

[BPCooper]

You can review information on the best and closest places to see shuttle launches, and on tickets for closer, viewing distances, etc here:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Titusville is the place to go for the October launch, and yes I highly encourage you to go to Titusville and to come back if scrubbed. As of now, Oct. 10 is very very tight and the launch may move back 2-3 days. Keep an eye out on the launch schedule:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

 

[SamSam]

Wasn't a Space Shuttle Launch in the episode that Bawb says " the best viewing is at the end of the parking lot"?

 

[eeyore'swife]

Years ago we went to Coco Beach to watch the launch - it was fantastic! I was so disappointed when I looked at the launch schedule and saw that is was just after we head home... another excuse to come back!

 

[parrotheadlois]

You can review information on the best and closest places to see shuttle launches, and on tickets for closer, viewing distances, etc here:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Titusville is the place to go for the October launch, and yes I highly encourage you to go to Titusville and to come back if scrubbed. As of now, Oct. 10 is very very tight and the launch may move back 2-3 days. Keep an eye out on the launch schedule:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

Thanks!!! Good links - thanks so much.....Friday would really be the most perfect day - the only thing scheduled is an ADR at Tokyo dining, at 6:30 or something like that - and if the mission were scrubbed it would be way before that.

Saturday - PFTS (again, doable!)

it would be so cool to see (anyone wanna car pool?)

 

[parrotheadlois]

You can review information on the best and closest places to see shuttle launches, and on tickets for closer, viewing distances, etc here:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Titusville is the place to go for the October launch, and yes I highly encourage you to go to Titusville and to come back if scrubbed. As of now, Oct. 10 is very very tight and the launch may move back 2-3 days. Keep an eye out on the launch schedule:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

me again, what time would you suggest heading out??? We're staying at POR

 

[BPCooper]

I would aim to arrive 2-3 hours beforehand to get a good spot and just in case of any traffic.

 

[parrotheadlois]

THANKS!!

 

[BPCooper]

It's official: STS-125/Atlantis is now due to lift off on Oct. 14 at 10:19pm EDT. STS-126/Endeavour is now due to lift off Nov. 16 at 7:07pm EST.