shuttle launches

[themurrayfamily]

Hi,

Has anyone been to one before? The Discovery launch is set for the 1st of July, our first day in Orlando, we fly out on the 30th, can anyone advise the best place to go to watch the launch?

Regards

themurrayfamily

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Anywhere in the Port Canaveral area is good just below Cape canaveral, or coco beach. We saw it a long time back from Seaworld Orlando, they gave us up to date information in the Dolphin show.

 

[themurrayfamily]

Anywhere in the Port Canaveral area is good just below Cape canaveral, or coco beach. We saw it a long time back from Seaworld Orlando, they gave us up to date information in the Dolphin show.

Thanks Andrew

 

[Laurafoster]

We saw a launch from the viewing area within the space centre. But this was in the days before sept 11th and columbia where security was a lot lighter.

Was a fabulous experience though and well worth seeing if possible!

 

[mandymouse]

We watched a shuttle launch from Cocoa Beach in December 2001. Although we were about 10 miles away, it was really breathtaking

 

[AndRu]

I'd keep buting the Orlando Sentinel and watching local news from the day you arrive. As they need to be as sure as possible that everything is OK, launches are often delayed. Just keep your eye on the media for up-to-the-minute news on when they think it will go.

Fingers & toes crossed for another successful launch and return of one of man's greatest achievements.

 

[castanea1985]

I just wish we could time our trip so we could see the shuttle go up. On a couple of occaisions, it has been delayed again and again until have travelled home, and on the one occaision it did go up, it was the middle of the night!!
We are going over in three weeks, which is at the tail end of the 'window', so hopefully it might get delayed again!!

 

[Destination Disney]

Shuttle launches are awesome and watching it gives you goose bumps! I actually live to the west of Tampa here in Florida and can see it! Of coarse it is a small shinny streak but the smoke form the SRB's (Rocket boosters) is very visible and it reamins so until they are "dropped" from the shuttle. So you will defiantly get to view it from the Orlando area.


Keep in mind though....I'm not sure if you are familiar with NASCAR racing in the U.S., but there is a night race in Daytona which is right below Cape Canavral. If you decide to drive up to the lauch or a little closer, say Cocoa Beach you will be in SO much traffic! I-4 is jammed packed! The launch is schedule for around 3:49pm and teh race is a night race. However everyone goes up early for the entire day of festivities! Over 200,000 people.

 

[jjpenguin]

You can actually go and watch from Kennedy Space Centre, which is the closest you can get, but be prepared for a long wait and the possibility that it will be delayed.

We saw the last one by accident from the Boardwalk parking lot, we didn't even know there was one planned!

 

[themurrayfamily]

Shuttle launches are awesome and watching it gives you goose bumps! I actually live to the west of Tampa here in Florida and can see it! Of coarse it is a small shinny streak but the smoke form the SRB's (Rocket boosters) is very visible and it reamins so until they are "dropped" from the shuttle. So you will defiantly get to view it from the Orlando area.


Keep in mind though....I'm not sure if you are familiar with NASCAR racing in the U.S., but there is a night race in Daytona which is right below Cape Canavral. If you decide to drive up to the lauch or a little closer, say Cocoa Beach you will be in SO much traffic! I-4 is jammed packed! The launch is schedule for around 3:49pm and teh race is a night race. However everyone goes up early for the entire day of festivities! Over 200,000 people.

Thanks for everyone's advice here - I wasn't familiar with the NASCAR racing, thanks for the tip, we were planning on spending a day at Coaco Beach and hopefully the traffic won't be to bad on the 528 if we leave early?

Regards

themurrayfamily

 

[MARTINIUS]

We are there for the second Shuttle launch on August 28th - but it's the day we go home! Launch is at 4:09pm and we depart Virgin Atlantic to Manchester at 6:30pm - will we be able to see it from Orlando International Airport?

 

[Destination Disney]

I think if you leave early you'll be fine! I'm thinking about going up there too. We're leaving from Tampa, Fl. area (west coast) and I think we will be leaving around 6am. Have fun! You'll love Cocoa Beach and be sure to visit Ron Jon Surf Shop!

 

[themurrayfamily]

I think if you leave early you'll be fine! I'm thinking about going up there too. We're leaving from Tampa, Fl. area (west coast) and I think we will be leaving around 6am. Have fun! You'll love Cocoa Beach and be sure to visit Ron Jon Surf Shop!

any advice on where to park at Cocoa Beach? Is there plenty of places, ideally somewhere with a picnic area, some shops and eateries?

Will be sure to look up Ron Jon Surf Shop

Thanks

themurrayfamily

 

[MARTINIUS]

We are there for the second Shuttle launch on August 28th - but it's the day we go home! Launch is at 4:09pm and we depart Virgin Atlantic to Manchester at 6:30pm - will we be able to see it from Orlando International Airport?

If we can see it from the Orlando International Airport, does anyone know if there is an airport viewing terrace and which direction to look?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If we can see it from the Orlando International Airport, does anyone know if there is an airport viewing terrace and which direction to look?

Belive me, you will be able to stand outside and see it!

We saw one from the backlot tour at Epcot one years as bright and clear as anything. You need to look towards the east, you wont miss it!

 

[wayneg]

We are there for the second Shuttle launch on August 28th - but it's the day we go home! Launch is at 4:09pm and we depart Virgin Atlantic to Manchester at 6:30pm - will we be able to see it from Orlando International Airport?

Hi MARTINIUS
We are on the same flight as you. We go out on 3rd Aug come home 28th. I was hoping for an earlier launch to go over to see it first.
So I will also be looking for somewhere to view.
Wayne

 

[wayneg]

MARTINIUS
Good News, I have just had an email from Kennedy Space centre, they have brought the launch date forward by 1 day, Details below from email. I know it could change but 27th would be great.

Space Shuttle Atlantis launch window has officialy moved
up a day and is now targeted for August 27

Mission: STS-115 Atlantis
Launch Date: August 27 (with the window extending through Sept. 12)
Launch Time: 4:30 PM EST

 

[pauldents]

We have seen a shuttle launch from inside KSC (on the causeway) and from the car park opposite pleasure island.

IMHO If there is cloud cover in Orlando, it isn't really worth waiting around to see. We got a two second glimpse through the clouds and it was akin to viewing a jet plane flying vertical from 30 miles distance.

If you wan't the full effect of a shuttle launch, then I would highly reccomend booking through the KSC website or take a trip upto Titusville, which is the next best thing to being on KSC.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am at MK on the 27th, i remeber being at Seawould in the Dolphon show and it went off and we could see it in the distance. Herd the noise a bit later!

 

[MARTINIUS]

MARTINIUS
Good News, I have just had an email from Kennedy Space centre, they have brought the launch date forward by 1 day, Details below from email. I know it could change but 27th would be great.

Space Shuttle Atlantis launch window has officialy moved
up a day and is now targeted for August 27

Mission: STS-115 Atlantis
Launch Date: August 27 (with the window extending through Sept. 12)
Launch Time: 4:30 PM EST

Excellent news that, wayneg! I'll keep an eye out for you on the plane on the way home!

If I can't get to KSC we'll try Titusville - thanks pauldents