Shuttle Atlantis launch Oct.10--Questions???

[crobich]

I was wondering if anyone can help us. We are arriving at Orlando airport at 9:00pm Oct. 9 and was wanting to go see the shuttle launch@12:45pm. We were wondering what the crowds are like during nighttime shuttles--Is it as busy as during the day? Also given our time constraints, where would be the best, but least crowded place to be? Any info would be greatly appreciated as none of us have ever been to a launch before and don't really know what to expect!!!

 

[pinkerbell]

subbing.. thanks for the info.. I will be there and didnt know there was a launch!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

... we'd be interested in the same info!

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Not sure about how busy it would be at nighttime, but a lot of people watch the launches from Titusville. Also keep in mind that if it is busy then the majority of the people will be sitting outside waiting hours before you'd even make your way out there. It's a school night so it's quite possible it won't be too busy, at least with kids.

 

[bearzabout]

We drove from the airport to Titusville to see an afternoon launch earlier this year. I think it took about an hour. The traffic was horrific leaving town. I think it took 6 hours to return to Orlando.

We are going again for a night launch. It is such an amazing sight that I think it is worth the traffic. I am also hoping it will be less crowded at night.

I heard on the news that the Johnson Space Center in Houston suffered some storm damage. It is too early to tell if it will effect the 10/10 launch.

We drove in towards Cocoa Beach. My tips:
1. Hit the road as soon as the launch is over.
2. Get pointed in the direction to leave town before parking. Traffic is too thick to turn around once the exodus starts.
3. We tried to drive into Cocoa Beach afterward and got caught in gridlock. We thought we would wait out the masses but traffic never decreased during the first few hours after launch.
4. Bring binoculars
5. Find out what radio station will broadcast the countdown so you know what the status of the launch is before leaving Orlando and while in Titusville.
6. Areas around Titusville should be closer, but don't expect to get too close. We will be watching from the visitor's center, and it is still 4 miles away.

I hope these help!

 

[BPCooper]

You want to go to Titusville. The launch time is 12:33am if Oct. 10 as currently planned (yes, keep an eye out for news about Ike and JSC; today they suggested, however, they can still make the 10th).

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

There will be thousands of people throughout Titusville and the area, and many head to some of the riverside parks such as Space View Park. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can find other spots along the river as it is a large area.

Traffic should not be so bad as to take six hours (that's the longest I've ever heard). But it might take a couple of hours to get out of town and back to the highway if you leave right away.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

You want to go to Titusville. The launch time is 12:33am if Oct. 10 as currently planned (yes, keep an eye out for news about Ike and JSC; today they suggested, however, they can still make the 10th).

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

There will be thousands of people throughout Titusville and the area, and many head to some of the riverside parks such as Space View Park. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can find other spots along the river as it is a large area.

Traffic should not be so bad as to take six hours (that's the longest I've ever heard). But it might take a couple of hours to get out of town and back to the highway if you leave right away.

Any suggestions for parking and how early one should arrive??

Thanks.

 

[BPCooper]

Any suggestions for parking and how early one should arrive??

Thanks.

Parking can be found around the area. Some of the parks like Space view park offer parking, and in other areas landowners charge a fee to park. You shouldn't have a problem finding parking.

I would aim to get there 2-3 hours before launch to be safe and pick out a good spot if you want one.

 

[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.

 

[BPCooper]

Tickets to view the STS-126 launch from the NASA Causeway and KSC Visitor Complex will go on-sale at 9:00 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, October 8 at:

http://www.ksctickets.com/ltt.html

...as well as by phone at 321-449-4400.

Launch ticket orders cannot be placed via email or by leaving a voice mail message. You must place your order online or by speaking to a reservation agent.

STS-126 is targeted to launch on November 14 at 7:55 p.m. EDT on a logistics, supply & repair mission to the International Space Station.