Shuttle Launch....

[ScottUK]

Anyone been to one...is it worth getting a ticket, if not, where's the best place to view it ????

 

[Laurafoster]

I think out of the three times ive been the shuttle has only actually gone up once.

If you do go, be prepared for it to be scrubbed! Once with us it was cancelled a few mns before it was due to launch!! Which is fustrating!

If you are fortunate to see it go up its an amazing experience! one i will never forget! It really is an awesome site - at Kennedy you ar the closest that tourists are allowed to go and you can feel the ground shaking with the power of it which is a great experience!

Although ive never been ive been told there are some great locations at which you can get an almost equaly good view of it for free though. Cocoa Beach etc.

 

[jockey]

We got tickets for the launch in December 2006. They were max access - only 6 miles from the launch pad and included lunch with an astronaut cost approx £90. just 5 minutes before the launch it was scrubbed due to low cloud. Overall it was a fantastic day and the atmosphere was fantastic. It was a long day we left orlando at 10am and did not get back to our hotel until 2 am the next day!! We had the opportunity to buy tickets for the rescheduled date two days later but we were too tired!

We watched the launch from our hotel instead and it was amazing! There is a pier near cocoa beach thats a popular viewing site too and it's only a few dollars to park there!

 

[Temair]

We went back in 2001 and saw a launch. We went to Cocoa Beach and there is a McDonalds with a playplace. When we were there, there was a row of condos but to the north side of the condo's a nice road access that went to the beach. I've heard that all thoses condo's were damaged several years ago in a huricane and they were torn down giving you even better views. I don't know if they have been rebuilt yet or not. We were about 7 miles directly across from KSC and the launch. It's about as close as onsite, and you don't have to pay a thing.

 

[ScottUK]

Thanks for the tips ...

 

[Deedee]

We haven't seen a shuttle launch but last year they were sending a rocket up to the space station. We saw it go off from the middle of the ocean while we were on our friends boat that was an awesome sight so can't imagine what the shuttle must be like.

 

[tashasmum]

We have seen the launch twice, well almost, the first time we were on SR535 on our way to launch and the traffic was horrendous, we ended up parked by the side of the road with loads of others but it was still great when it went up. The next time we decided not to travel but saw it going up as we were driving down the 192. One day we may get closer and we have been told Cocoa Beach is a great place to view from.

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

We just missed the launch in December by a couple of days - were hoping it would be delayed but no such luck

DH & I were over again for a few days in February and saw the launch of the a rocket from our hotel balcony - quite cool and would like to see the real thing someday.

Most people we spoke to recommended just going to Cocoa Beach and watching from there - which is most likely what we will do if there is a next time.

Tracey

 

[ScottUK]

again, thanks for the tips . Traffic was touched on in one of the posts, I think the launch is about 5pm,so what sort of time should be be heading to the coast to avoid the worst of the traffic???.

 

[BPCooper]

Scott, I recommend you read the guide on my website, it will tell you everything you need to know. Click on "launch viewing info." I've posted a couple of times, but I'm just trying to help out. A shuttle launch is a tremendous experience, and there are only 16 left at the most, so everyone should get to see it once.

Trust me also, it is WELL worth it to make an hour drive a few times to see it. Any questions, just ask. Good luck!

 

[mobius]

Im in orlando for the scheduled 8 june 07 launch. but don't drive, anyway of getting there without a car???

 

[BPCooper]

The KSC visitors complex offers viewing from the causeway (the closest viewing) via a Grayline bus tour package that picks you up at your Orlando hotel. It's a little more expensive ($109 I think) and you should probably be prepared to go. You will have to inquire about it and delays and such. Take the spaces out of this link:

kennedyspacecenter . stores . yahoo . net / stspshat . html

Edit: If you want that causeway viewing make sure you are getting "LTT launch transportation tickets" as opposed to regular admission viewing from the visitors complex itself. But the latter is ok too if you can't get the LTT.

 

[mobius]

Just had a look at the site, and it appears all the tickets for the june launch are sold.

 

[BPCooper]

They are sold out of individual causeway passes.

The 'grayline' ones are still available.

Also available are tickets to view from the VC itself, but you need a car to get there

 

[mandymouse]

We watched a Shuttle Launch from the pier at Cocoa Beach. It was a great experience, though like others say, be prepared for last minute cancellations. The Shuttle we saw was supposed to go up one day and T-minus 30 seconds it was postponed to the next day due to the threat of thunderstorms. We came back the next day and watched the launch, and as I'm a bit of a space anorak, I found it amazing

Mandy