Launch Location?

[Jecca]

I just found out that the window for the first launch of the Space Shuttle since the Columbia disaster will be July 13-July 30. We'll be down for part of that time, so I'm kinda hoping it launches while we're there.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best viewing location? We'd be willing to drive out to Cape Canaveral, and I vaguely remember hearing years ago that there was a spot on the side of the road somewhere where you could get a great view of the launch. Can anyone give me directions to a place like this or another where you can see it well?

 

[zcasper]

Not to burst your bubble or anything but everyone at NASA JSC (in Houston) is saying that there is no why that they are going to fly in July. The next launch window isn't until September.

I work in the life sciences group and we aren't planning on July.

Zach

 

[Jecca]

Oh that's too bad. It was a featured story all over the news today that they moved the shuttle to the launch platform in preparation for a July launch. I've been waiting for years for one of our vacations to coincide with a launch. Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer...

Thanks for the info.

 

[Caskbill]

We saw a launch from the side of the road several years ago. I think it was on hwy A1A near Titusville. In any case it was packed and traffic was basically at a standstill and parking was tight. We got there about 3 hours before launch, got a parking spot, then had lunch in a local restaurant, followed by a short walk to the water's edge, put down the blanket, and waited. Some others had radios going on a local channel that was carrying continuous launch coverage. We were lucky that day in that the launch was only delayed about 25 minutes.

I'm guessing we were about 3-miles from the pad. The launch was spectacular.

Another option for you is to stay in Orlando. If you're planning on going to Sea World you might plan that for launch day. We did that once. In the Shamu stadium they had continuous closed circuit TV coverage on the big screen. We did SW park things until about 1/2 hour before launch and then went to the stadium. When they actually launched you could watch it on the screen, and then just a few seconds later, see the spacecraft live in the distance after it cleared the treeline horizon. Even at 50 miles away it's quite spectacular.

 

[gjw007]

I just found out that the window for the first launch of the Space Shuttle since the Columbia disaster will be July 13-July 30. We'll be down for part of that time, so I'm kinda hoping it launches while we're there.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best viewing location? We'd be willing to drive out to Cape Canaveral, and I vaguely remember hearing years ago that there was a spot on the side of the road somewhere where you could get a great view of the launch. Can anyone give me directions to a place like this or another where you can see it well?

You might try this site.

 

[Jecca]

Gary, could you post the site to which you were referring?

Thanks!

 

[zcasper]

I eat my words:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/rssstory.mpl/chronicle/3262782

Sorry.

Zach

 

[DVCconvert]

If you don't have a car, or the time, while at WDW I have seen several launches (rockets) from a lagoon view at YC and from the conceirge lounge at BWI -- at that distance, still very impressive!

 

[gjw007]

Gary, could you post the site to which you were referring?

Thanks!

Oops! I forgot where the link was. I think that you can see the launch from a number of places including along the side of the road and at the beaches. Some of the better viewing is from the NASA site.

 

[Disney Doll]

One year we were there and there was a space shuttle launch and we were in the quiet pool at the BCV when it went by.

It was quite amazing and very evident that it was a space shuttle and not a regular airplane.

That's the closest I have been to a launch.

 

[pbharris4]

A few years ago in Jan or Feb we were at the Luau @ the Poly. It didn't start yet and DH and DD went to the bathroom. All of a sudden everyone ran up front w/ cameras. So I went up too and realized that the Shuttle had taken off. Wow! I forgot they were launching that day. Even being 50 miles away you could see it and all the fire behind it and then the boosters came off. I got a pretty good picture of it. It was like one of those breath taking moments. DH and DD came back and were wondering what was going on. He was so disappointed he missed it. And he's missing it again this time. If we could have gone down just a few days earlier! Anyway, The beach area of the Poly you should be able to see it too.