Kennedy Space Center during a launch?

[janey99]

Hi all!

My trip to Orlando in June falls during a scheduled space shuttle launch from KSC. I think it would be a once-in-a-lifetime event for the whole family to be able to see something like that. Can someone educate me?

How often do the launches actually occur on the day the first they name as the scheduled day?

I'm signed up to get a newsletter which should let me know the instant tickets for my scheduled launch are available. I understand that you must buy a special ticket to attend the location on a scheduled launch day, and that these tickets cost more than the typical visit ticket for the location. Where I get a little hazy is where the website says that launch day tickets are non-refundable. Do they mean that once you buy a (more expensive) ticket for that day, if the launch doesn't occur, then you have essentially paid super premium price for a run-of-the-mill visit to the location, or do they mean if you bought the ticket that day, your ultimate price if the launch doesn't occur is the typical price of admission, they will subtract the "premium" that you would have paid for the launch that didn't occur, and the "non-refundable" refers to the fact that if you bought a ticket for that day, you still hve to pay at least the base price for the ticket?

I know that was a little muddled, if anyone understood what I meant, can you please clarify how things work at KSC?

Thanks very much!

Jane

 

[pippy27]

I would watch the news on the morning of the launch to see if it is cancelled. It can be cancelled for any minor reason.
I wouldn't pay to go to the Space Center itself to see the launch for a few reason. First of all, it's very very crowded there on launch days. So, if you want to see everything else there, it's going to be very crowded. They might not even do the regular bus tour on launch days. Also the view from the space center for the launch is miles away, and you can get just as good of a view from other locations not at the space center.
I would personally go see the launch from either Space View Park in Titusville or Jetty Park in Port Canaveral. They have one of the best views of the launch, and Space View Park is free, and Jetty Park is $5 a carload.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We also considered seeing that launch - but with NASA's record of late - I would not waste my money or my vacation time expecting to see a launch. Back in the olden days - I was in Daytona (early 80's, College Spring Break) and there was a space shuttle launch going on - we saw it and felt it from Daytona - So if you're in the KSC vicinity during the launch, just get yourself over to the coast line and you'll see it.

 

[TN Traveler]

Back in '89 (I think) DH and I planned a week in Daytona and the Space Coast. His grandmother passed away the Thursday before we were suppose to leave on Saturday so we decided to postpone our trip by a week. What a lucky thing for us....We found out that there was going to be a launch the week we were going to be there! So we spent a couple days in St Augestine, drove down to Daytona stayed a few days there and then drove to Coco Beach. I was so nervous we would miss the launch!! We were up and moving by 7 am, found a great viewing spot on the jetties and waited!
It was AWESOME! Everyone had their radios on did the count down together and then when the shuttle went up everyone started singing God Bless America. Actually brought tears to my eyes!! We could hear and feel the shuttle long before we saw it but then when we did it took our breath away. Amazing!! Definitely try to catch a launch. It's worth every second you sit around and wait! Oh.....the shuttle we saw......was the Challenger.... the one that blew up over TX several years ago.

 

[chicagogrl]

We got a hotel one time and we had a good viewing of the launch. It was an old hotel and the price went up quite a bit from the usual (when there isn't a launch). They started the countdown and got to like #2 and it stopped and didn't go off.

But we did go another time and just stopped along the causeway with a blanket on the ground and watched a launch and it was awesome! Very exciting.

 

[MickeyP]

What are the summer launch dates?

 

[disneygirlatheart]

Hi all!

My trip to Orlando in June falls during a scheduled space shuttle launch from KSC. I think it would be a once-in-a-lifetime event for the whole family to be able to see something like that. Can someone educate me?

How often do the launches actually occur on the day the first they name as the scheduled day?

I'm signed up to get a newsletter which should let me know the instant tickets for my scheduled launch are available. I understand that you must buy a special ticket to attend the location on a scheduled launch day, and that these tickets cost more than the typical visit ticket for the location. Where I get a little hazy is where the website says that launch day tickets are non-refundable. Do they mean that once you buy a (more expensive) ticket for that day, if the launch doesn't occur, then you have essentially paid super premium price for a run-of-the-mill visit to the location, or do they mean if you bought the ticket that day, your ultimate price if the launch doesn't occur is the typical price of admission, they will subtract the "premium" that you would have paid for the launch that didn't occur, and the "non-refundable" refers to the fact that if you bought a ticket for that day, you still hve to pay at least the base price for the ticket?

I know that was a little muddled, if anyone understood what I meant, can you please clarify how things work at KSC?

Thanks very much!

Jane

I would like to know this info also. We just bought tickets to the launch in July, and also bought tickets to explore the center that day also.

 

[magicmouse2]

here are the launch dateshttp://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp

 

[princessgirl2238]

last time i was i florida, we watched a lauching, but we went to cocoa beach, you can watch it from the water and listen in on the radio- many people do this, and you don't have to worry about how loud the launch is

 

[keishashadow]

I'm confused - KSC's site says the rocket launch is on 6/19 @ 5:33 p.m. but, Cape Can. Air Force Station & Jetty Park's sites list 6/24 (of course - the date we leave).

Wonder who to call? Last time we visited KSC we picked a day their website indicated a satellite would launch, we & several other people on our tour were disapointed when no-one seemed to know anything about it.???

Know that launch windows are subject to change. Any locals know a good source for clarifcation? Can you see rocket launches from MCO?

 

[keishashadow]

Called KSC today for clarification, operator indicated that:

*6/19 is still THE day @ 5:33 p.m.

*this is a Delta 2 MITEX rocket launch (not a shuttle) from Cape Can. Air Force Station.

*although KSC is the "best site" to view the launch, you do not need to purchase any extra tickets - your admission tix will get you into the facility.

*she did not know if any of the "special" tours would be running that day - tba.

*they will remain open as late as need be if the launch is delayed

Assume you can call KSC during the day to determine if the launch is a go?

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I remember last summer's launch well. I got so many complaints from guests about the launch that didn't happen the first time and then when it actually did happen I got even more.
Here's the problem. If the launch is around 9:00am you either need to get up and leave for KSC at 2:00am or stay in the area the night before. Last year on the actual day that the launch took place, most people that were trying to get there watched it from the side of the rode on the 528. I drove by the exit for the 528 on I-4 at 7:00am and the traffic was already backed up from Orlando to KSC. My guests that actually made it told me that it was a nightmare and that they would never do it that way again.
I personally was fine watching from the deck of the hotel I work at on International Drive. My kids watched it from our front yard.
The way the tickets were last year was that as long as you got the maximum access ticket in advance ($40.28 w/ tax) you were able to watch the launch from the KSC complex.

 

[keishashadow]

I remember last summer's launch well. I got so many complaints from guests about the launch that didn't happen the first time and then when it actually did happen I got even more.
Here's the problem. If the launch is around 9:00am you either need to get up and leave for KSC at 2:00am or stay in the area the night before. Last year on the actual day that the launch took place, most people that were trying to get there watched it from the side of the rode on the 528. I drove by the exit for the 528 on I-4 at 7:00am and the traffic was already backed up from Orlando to KSC. My guests that actually made it told me that it was a nightmare and that they would never do it that way again.
I personally was fine watching from the deck of the hotel I work at on International Drive. My kids watched it from our front yard.
The way the tickets were last year was that as long as you got the maximum access ticket in advance ($40.28 w/ tax) you were able to watch the launch from the KSC complex.

I didn't think there would be such a demand to see a rocket (non-shuttle) launch. It was my understanding that it is much less dramatic & attracts much smaller crowds - guess I was wrong.

Time to re-think strategy - thanks for the head's up.

So...we'll be @ the Sheraton Vistana on the 19th, will we be able to see it?

 

[momof3disneyholics]

You can see it from there. Just ask anyone that has worked there a while which way to look to see it.

 

[keishashadow]

You can see it from there. Just ask anyone that has worked there a while which way to look to see it.

Thanks . BTW, do you work in the Orlando hotel industry? How is the Vistana?

 

[RedxPanda]

July 1st is the first day of the launch window for the STS-121 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery. But remember, this is florida and it is summer and the odds of it raining may be A LOT higher then than it has been this spring. Inclement weather is one of the most frequent reason for scrubbing a launch.

At this point in time, the Shuttle has been deemed go for launch but as the launch date gets closer they're going to do different tests out on the pad and the decision to launch could change at any time. You never know when some hardware can decide to go flaky

For one mission (STS-41D), they went as far as igniting the main engines, quickly followed by a scrub at T-4 seconds! one of the 3 main engines was giving faulty readings.

In general, there's no way to tell if there will be a launch on a given date. Weather is the highest deterrent and hard to predeict months or even days in advance.

Everyone here at the space coast will be wishing for a successful launch! I hope you get to see it! Its a wonderfilled experience.

 

[janey99]

I forgot I posted this!

Thanks everyone for your insights - especially some of the possible downsides - early morning, bad traffic, crowds at the facility.

A launch would be fantastic to see, but no one in my family would appreciate it if they were grumpy!

I will monitor the summer launch activity and continue to consider it as our trip gets closer (we are going in end of August).

Thanks again for all the replies!

 

[keishashadow]

July 1st is the first day of the launch window for the STS-121 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery. But remember, this is florida and it is summer and the odds of it raining may be A LOT higher then than it has been this spring. Inclement weather is one of the most frequent reason for scrubbing a launch.

In general, there's no way to tell if there will be a launch on a given date. Weather is the highest deterrent and hard to predeict months or even days in advance.

Everyone here at the space coast will be wishing for a successful launch! I hope you get to see it! Its a wonderfilled experience.

I think the OP is refering to a rocket launch (not a shuttle) that is scheduled for 6/19.

Anyone know if the rocket launches are as dependent on the weather? I've only been to Orlando once in June but, it rained every single day we were there.

 

[deaconlar]

The window I worry about is July 1 through the 19th. We sail DSL at 5:00P on the 1st.
I hear the traffic will be crazy on the launch date - even early in the morning (10:000)
Any feed back would be helpful
Peace
Larry

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Thanks . BTW, do you work in the Orlando hotel industry? How is the Vistana?

Yes, I do concierge services, sell tickets, and book tours for Vistana. Vistana is gorgeous. It has the biggest pool in Orlando.