Kennedy Space Center, shuttle on launch pad?

[m1ckeym0use1]

For those of you familiar with how things work at the space center, do you know how early the shuttle gets rolled out to the launch pad?

We have a trip planned Jan. 20 thru Jan. 29. It looks like there is a shuttle launch scheduled for February 14th. Any chance the shuttle will be on the pad early enough for me to get some pictures?

thanks!

 

[dqpowell]

The shuttle is currently on the pad, unless they moved it back to the vehicle assembly building in the last week or so. It has been on the pad since November. The planned early December launches were scrubbed due to bad sensor readings... We were there and planned to watch the launch.

In any case, even if they have moved the shuttle back to the VAB, it should be back out on the launch pad by the time your trip rolls around. They typically put it out there around 30 days ahead of a scheduled launch.

Unfortunately for you, there are a few things that will prevent you from getting a nice photo of it.

1. Even if you pay admission to Kennedy Space Center, you will not be able to get very close to it. We paid for the "NASA Up-Close" optional tour package, which brings visitors much closer than the standard tour, and I still couldn't get close to filling the frame even with a 200 mm equivalent telephoto.

2. The shuttle itself is obscured by structures designed to protect it from weather, blowing sand, etc until just before launch.

If you have any other questions I'd be happy to answer.

David

 

[dqpowell]

To give you an idea... this is about the best you can do, IF you take the "NASA Up-Close" tour and shoot with a 200 mm equivalent lens. It's as close as you can get to the shuttle itself. You see the back side (the fuel tanks) rather than the actual orbiter, and even if you could see the orbiter side, the orbiter itself is obscured by large steel structures.

David

 

[safetymom]

If you go over to Cape Canaveral state park you can see the shuttle across the water.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

Ok, thanks for the info. One of the reasons I asked was because I was wondering if I should bring my 70-300 lens (looks like the answer is yes).

A bit off topic, but what do you think of the space center and the offered tours? I see it's $38 just to get in, then an additional $20something for the tours. Is it a full day type of place and worth the $$ ?

It's probably been 20 years since I've been to the space center, so I don't remember much.

 

[dqpowell]

Ok, thanks for the info. One of the reasons I asked was because I was wondering if I should bring my 70-300 lens (looks like the answer is yes).

Even at that, it will only get you a somewhat closer framing of the shot I posted -- unless your DSLR has a reduced frame sensor, in which case you'll be able to fill the frame. I left my DSLR and long lenses home for this trip, because I didn't want to haul the giant camera bag around the Disney parks. My only nagging doubt was that the DSLR would be required for the shuttle pics, and that doubt was laid to rest when I finally got there and realized I couldn't photograph the orbiter anyway. (Again, because it's hidden behind so much other stuff.)

A bit off topic, but what do you think of the space center and the offered tours? I see it's $38 just to get in, then an additional $20something for the tours. Is it a full day type of place and worth the $$ ?

It was well worth it for our family, and we didn't even have enough time to do everything we wanted to in one day. Your admission ticket will get you in for a second day if you have the time to spare, and if you want to do and see everything, you'll need that second day. We didn't have the time to spare on this particular vacation, so we'll have to see the other stuff on a future trip.

BTW, there isn't any requirement to pay the extra $20 per person or so for one of the "specialty" tours like NASA Up Close. There is a standard bus tour that you can go on that is included in the cost of admission. It doesn't bring you as close to the shuttle launch pads as the "up close" tour, but given the orientation of the shuttle vs. the observation area and the surrounding structures, this isn't any huge loss in terms of photography. Whatever tour you're on, you can't get a good photo of the shuttle orbiter anyway.

David