Question For Space Shuttle Launch Veterans

[WEDWDW]

I have never watched a Space Shuttle launch in person.I am considering flying to Orlando on May 14,staying at Walt Disney World for two nights(what a great excuse for a quick trip to WDW )and driving over in a rental car to the coast on May 15 to watch the launch.Is it worth a special trip just to see the launch?Is it that spectacular?Also,historically,what percentage of launches are delayed or postponed?Thanks for the advice and info.

 

[JimB.]

A significant portion have historically been postponed (about 10 - 20 %).

It's worth the trip. US 1 in Titusville has many good areas for viewing. The best you can probably do is about 6-7 miles away. Viewing inside the`Space Center is going to be severly curtailed (something about "Blast Radius".............. ).

With the present state of "Return to Flight" issues, I kinda' doubt it's gonna' make a May 15th launch. Hopefully for you it does though...........

 

[LisaR]

I have never watched a Space Shuttle launch in person.I am considering flying to Orlando on May 14,staying at Walt Disney World for two nights(what a great excuse for a quick trip to WDW )and driving over in a rental car to the coast on May 15 to watch the launch.Is it worth a special trip just to see the launch?Is it that spectacular?Also,historically,what percentage of launches are delayed or postponed?Thanks for the advice and info.

It is always worth a trip to Disney for any reason. I am not sure the % that launches are delayed. I know they seem to always delay the satellites. We will look for them on certain days at certain times and they never happen. Then we are walking out of the grocery store two days later and there it goes. It is our hope to see the shuttle launch but with the problems they have already encountered, I am counting on delays. JMO

Lisa

 

[Deb in IA]

I wonder if it will go off on May 15 too.


Last I heard, a "hairline crack" was discovered in the foam insulation on the outside of the shuttle. It was examined by the manufacturer, who determined that it was "insignificant".



HELLO????


Wasn't this the problem that brought down the Columbia and killed everyone on board at re-entry???? A crack in the foam insulation, that resulting in a chunk of the foam being ripped off and hitting the wing, causing a tear that expanded from the intense heat of re-entry . . .

 

[tlgoblue]

The Space Shuttle Launch was one of the most emotional things I have ever witnessed. It is so awesome! You can contact NASA for a parking permit, which allows you closer access than if you were just to park "close by". I'm not sure if you still have time, given the proximity of the launch date to do this, but it is worth a try. My experience has been that 1 out of 3 get delayed or postponed. Some delays are simple, and sometimes you spend all day waiting, just to have it scrubbed. GRRRR!.. But, if you are flexible, it is a great sight.
When you witness the awesome power of those engines and imagine yourself strapped to a bomb, it gives you a whole different perspective and attitude about the brave men and women on board, and you hold your breath until you hear "throttle up" and then you breath heavy when the commander responds, and all is well. Then the tears come, as waves of release.
Since this is the first since Columbia, things may be delayed, so as to give the appearance of ultra conservative concern. Hopefully, things will go smoothly and our Astronaughts will have a safe and wonderful flight.
One thing. Don't watch through the lense of a camera. Watche with your own two eyes, and binoculars if you wish. Something is lost through the lense and you cant get it back.

 

[chrissyk]

This is the first launch we'll see in person. I can't wait!! DH's coworkers recommended that we drive to a beach near Canaveral. It's supposed to have a direct view of the launch pad. That's the plan for right now, anyways.

As for the May 15th date, that's a "not earlier than" date rather than an exact launch date. I know that they delayed a rocket launch recently (by one day) with only like 3 minutes left to launch. DH was so disappointed, LOL! It was the first time we'd ever seen a rocket launch.

 

[JimB.]

I can't wait!! DH's coworkers recommended that we drive to a beach near Canaveral. It's supposed to have a direct view of the launch pad.

That would be Jetty Park. It fills up FAST on launch days. Great view, but still a few miles to the south.

An added bonus - depending on what day of the week the 15th is (Sunday?), you can (if you decide to wait it out) get an up close view of the Disney Wondeer leaving Port Canaveral around 5-5:30 p.m.

 

[simba928]

I actually got to see the Columbia launch. It was awesome. I will never forget it, especially since the Israelli dignitaries and Ilan Ramon (the first Israelli in space) stayed there. If I were you, I would try and get onto the beach for the launch. That's where we were, right outside of the Hilton I believe.

 

[Charade]

We were at WDW one year and the shuttle was supposed to have launched the week before we got there but it got delayed to the week we were there. We never went to the Space Center to see (and feel) it, but this is what it looked like from Universal.

 

[MouseClubMom]

I saw a Night Launch from the Press Viewing area. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in my entire life.

Another year we were staying at Disney and saw a night launch from the parking lot of CSR (you could see the streak of light).

If you can go I highly recommend it. The way the sound just rumbles across the water is amazing.

 

[Tiziminchac]

I saw a Night Launch from the Press Viewing area. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in my entire life.

Another year we were staying at Disney and saw a night launch from the parking lot of CSR (you could see the streak of light).

If you can go I highly recommend it. The way the sound just rumbles across the water is amazing.

Night launches are awesome!

 

[ThAnswr]

You can actually see the space shuttle launchings from the west coast which is where I am. It's really beautiful during the day, but absolutely spectacular at night.

It's a good experience and I think it's worth the trip.

 

[WEDWDW]

All systems are go!(for me and hopefully for the Space Shuttle )I booked my room at Disney's All-Star Music Resort this morning for May 14-16.I hope they launch on schedule,but even if it is postponed,I can still drive over to KSC and do the tour and see the shuttle on the launch pad and enjoy a short visit to Walt Disney World.I think it is a win-win situation.They tested the tank this week and are evaluating the data.Is this the most important test before launch?KSC has sold all of the tickets to the launch viewing area,but are still selling tickets to a viewing area at the Visitors Complex where you can see the launch once the Space Shuttle has cleared the tree line.Would it be better to watch from there or from Jetty Park?Does Jetty Park have an un-obstructed view of the launch pad?How many hours before launch do you need to arrive at Jetty Park?Thanks for the info!

 

[JimB.]

Visitors Complex where you can see the launch once the Space Shuttle has cleared the tree line.Would it be better to watch from there or from Jetty Park?

Does Jetty Park have an un-obstructed view of the launch pad?

The VIC is closer, Jetty Park is probably a clearer view. The Launch Complex is literally right on the beach (actually a few hundred yards).

How many hours before launch do you need to arrive at Jetty Park?

Many. Probably first thing in the day. Whenever the gates open for the "day visitors"

Have fun. Hope you have a great view. We may go down, depending on day of week/time of day.

 

[Samirella]

It's interesting to read the excitement about the shuttle launches in these posts. Being a native Floridian, seeing a shuttle launch is like seeing an airplane take off. I'm not poking fun, I just find it interesting how different perspectives are. I guess being taken outside to watch every launch from first grade on kinda makes it seem less important. I do admit, though, nighttime launches are beautiful! Just make sure you get there very early on launch day. Traffic is usually backed up closer to the launch time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A great memory I have, from maybe back in '01, was a nighttime launch while I was at MK. It was right at the Fantasy in the Sky start. Literally, Tink was sliding toward Tomorrowland and the Shuttle was about midway up in the sky, maybe 10 seconds after liftoff, a plume of flame trailing, the crowd in MK cheering. A real moment!!

 

[legs22]

I remember seeing the very first shuttle take off while standing on a Melbourne beach. Everyone was clapping. It was so cool.

 

[WEDWDW]

NASA has moved the targeted launch date from May 15 to May 22.Soon after the postponement announcement,NASA released a launch time!It is 01:03:49 PM.I have changed my resort reservation from May 14-16 to May 21-23.How unusual is it to have more than one postponement for a launch?I would think that once a launch time is determined,weather problems would be the main concern.Is that correct?Thanks.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Anything could come up between now and then. However, since NASA has released a time, that makes it seem more real. The delay, I believe, was based on paperwork, so minus any weather problems I would guess that things are looking good for what NASA has most recently said.

If I am at home I can watch the launch right from my family room couch, though I will go out in the back yard usually (for this one I will). I can still remember hearing the fighters when Columbia was lost. I really need this closure.

This will help you keep updated: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/index.html

Have you thought about doing this? http://www.ksctickets.com/kennedyspacecenter/maaclavifrke.html

 

[WEDWDW]

Miss Jasmine,thanks for the information.Yes,I have thought about watching the launch from KSC,but they have sold out of the tickets with a direct view of the launch pad.With the tickets remaining,you will not be able to see the Space Shuttle until it clears the tree line.I understand that from Jetty Park,although it is not as close,the launch pad is visible.Is this correct?I do not live close to a beach,so I am planning on being at Jetty Park as soon as it opens to day guests and enjoy the ocean and beach until launch.Which would you suggest?Thanks.