Shuttle Launch

[Happy Mom2]

Just found out the space shuttle is scheduled to launch while we are at Disney. DH was wondering if we'd be able to see it from Disney.

 

[druidia]

Yes, you will. We are ~150 miles north on the same coast and can see it day or night. Currently scheduled for 4:00 AM. Nighttime launches are the coolest.

 

[akhenaten]

I saw it from Orlando once....daytime launch, saw the contrail and a tiny speck on top. (kind of like the pics of the "LA Missle" that has been on the news but much further away....)

 

[SandrA9810]

You can see the smoke trail, but the shuttle is a bit harder. If your kids are old enough to enjoy the launch, I'd roll them out of bed and at least head out towards Lake Nona, it's about a 1/2 hr away or just drive out to the coast. You'd be back in plenty of time for opening.

I have seen a night launch when I was in the Everglades, so it's possible to see it if you're in a dark location.

But don't be surprised if the launch gets pushed back. It happens a lot.

 

[J3nn78]

But don't be surprised if the launch gets pushed back. It happens a lot.

This- it was supposed to launch last week when we were there-already been pushed back a few times I think

 

[dis-happy]

Not official but the news that's coming out says it won't be lifting off any time soon. The found two 9 inch cracks in the fuel tank today.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to www.nasa.gov the current planned launch for STS-133 is:

Date: Nov. 30 *
Mission: STS-133
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 4:02 a.m. EST
STS-133 Description: Space shuttle Discovery will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4), a MultiPurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) and critical spare components to the International Space Station.

* No Earlier Than (Tentative)

 

[IDoDis]

There are only 5 or so more scheduled launches of the space shuttles. This was supposed to be Discovery's final launch. Funding has dried up and the technology is getting outdated. It's hard to believe that the first space shuttle flew 30 years ago. I'm so old because that seems like it was just a few short years ago!

 

[Help Please!]

Happy Mom 2,

Will you have a rental car? Do you have the money to get a cheap car for the early morning? If so, get a car and DRIVE TO THE EAST COAST!!! I just moved close to Titusville/ Kennedy Space Center about a year ago, and seeing the launches up close is the BEST THING IN THE WORLD. You and your kids will remember it forever!!!! Here are directions to a great spot that tends to be not overly crowded (if you get there 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the launch) to watch the launch from. It's south of Titusville (so you won't get stuck in traffic) and the view is amazing! Best of all, I can get to Disney from there in less than an hour. Basic directions:

Take either:
1. 417 east/north OR I-4 east to 528 E
2. Take I-95 North to exit 208 for Port St. John (only about 3 miles)...it looks like there's not much there, but once you drive a bit east, you will see civilization! : ) Make a RIGHT turn to head east
3. At the dead end (which is a stop light), turn LEFT onto Grissom Pkwy.
4. At the next light, turn RIGHT onto Fay Blvd.
5. Fay Blvd. will dead end at US-1. Turn LEFT onto US-1. Go about 1/2 mile until you see a McDonalds on your left...directly across from McDonalds is a small park on the river, park there if possible...or at McDonalds! Grab breakfast, use the restroom, and head towards the water for a GREAT view! It is AMAZING!!! scared1:

P.S. If you plan to head over, check the local news BEFORE you head out to make sure the launch is not scrubbed! Find the phone number for the live NASA feed and listen on the way over!
3

 

[Happy Mom2]

Happy Mom 2,

Will you have a rental car? Do you have the money to get a cheap car for the early morning? If so, get a car and DRIVE TO THE EAST COAST!!! I just moved close to Titusville/ Kennedy Space Center about a year ago, and seeing the launches up close is the BEST THING IN THE WORLD. You and your kids will remember it forever!!!! Here are directions to a great spot that tends to be not overly crowded (if you get there 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the launch) to watch the launch from. It's south of Titusville (so you won't get stuck in traffic) and the view is amazing! Best of all, I can get to Disney from there in less than an hour. Basic directions:

Take either:
1. 417 east/north OR I-4 east to 528 E
2. Take I-95 North to exit 208 for Port St. John (only about 3 miles)...it looks like there's not much there, but once you drive a bit east, you will see civilization! : ) Make a RIGHT turn to head east
3. At the dead end (which is a stop light), turn LEFT onto Grissom Pkwy.
4. At the next light, turn RIGHT onto Fay Blvd.
5. Fay Blvd. will dead end at US-1. Turn LEFT onto US-1. Go about 1/2 mile until you see a McDonalds on your left...directly across from McDonalds is a small park on the river, park there if possible...or at McDonalds! Grab breakfast, use the restroom, and head towards the water for a GREAT view! It is AMAZING!!! scared1:

P.S. If you plan to head over, check the local news BEFORE you head out to make sure the launch is not scrubbed! Find the phone number for the live NASA feed and listen on the way over!
3

Thanks! Actually, we are driving. We just might do this! It would be a once in a life time experience for us. DS is too young to appreciate it, but DD would probably enjoy it. DH would LOVE it!

 

[golfgal]

There are only 5 or so more scheduled launches of the space shuttles. This was supposed to be Discovery's final launch. Funding has dried up and the technology is getting outdated. It's hard to believe that the first space shuttle flew 30 years ago. I'm so old because that seems like it was just a few short years ago!

I remember my parents and grandparents talking about friends they had for 30 years or whatever and thinking--WOW you are old

It was SO cool to watch the first launch but boy does this make me feel old. I have vague memories of watching the moon landing too.

Thanks! Actually, we are driving. We just might do this! It would be a once in a life time experience for us. DS is too young to appreciate it, but DD would probably enjoy it. DH would LOVE it!

It is very worth seeing-the only issue is if they scrub the launch 10 minutes before take off or something. We saw a nighttime launch when we were at Disney in 1996-it might have been their first night time launch even. We watched it both on TV and from our hotel room. VERY cool. We had been out to Kennedy Space Center earlier that day and saw the shuttle on the launch pad, etc. too.

 

[Pikester]

My family was at Magic Kingdom back in 2006 at night and we saw the Space Shuttle nice and bright in the sky. We couldn't actually see the shuttle but we could see the fire from the boosters.

We have plans to be in Orlando the end of Feb 2011 which is when the last launch for the Space Shuttle Endeavour is. Our fingers are crossed that we will be able to see it. We thought about getting tickets to watch the launch but I've been told to just find somewhere to park and that is just as good. Thanks Help Please for the directions! Besides, you have to get tickets as soon as they go on sale 6 weeks or so before and there is always the chance that they scrub the launch.

 

[Help Please!]

If you have a car, I do hope you will drive over! It's only about an hour and soooo amazing! To be close enough to hear it and feel the rumble is worth it...I promise!

 

[SandrA9810]

When I was in Lake Nona, you could actually see each of the boosters fall off. It really is awesome to watch. And now would be once in a lifetime event.