Space Shuttle launch

[daannzzz]

I was told by a couple people that if I wanted to drive over and see a launch to be prepared for horrible traffic and possible delays or cancellations in the launch. While I wold like to have been close I decided to not drive over. The launch I wanted to see did get canceled but reshedule for the next morning. It was an ealry launch. I was staying at Coronado Springs so I walked over to the Casitas and went up to the highest floor and waited on the walkway facing east. Launch occured at sunrise and it was pretty cool, even from that far away. It was clear, unobstructed view.

 

[pepe of ohio]

One item I always pack is a pair of binoculars. I use them just about anywhere and on anything. Saw a launch from the bridge between yacht and beach and the Boardwalk, looking to the east, that would be towards EPCOT's Glode from there and the view was really great, binoculars helped greatly. Waited along time but they finally light that candle and the plume was very visible, depends alot on weather and cloud cover!!

 

[mhochman]

I think it was on our 98 trip where we saw a night launch. We were staying at Port Orleans and it was actually more early morning than late night. We were returning from PI and knew the timing was just right. We waited outside for about 10 minutes looking East. We didn't see the shuttle itself, of course, but we did see the rocket flame ascend into the sky. I have to say that this was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

 

[Sheaboys]

We saw the space shuttle also in January of 2003, but we were all the way on the Gulf side of Florida, North of Tampa, Hudson to be exact (my parents live there). We could see the shine of the shuttle and of course the stream of smoke and when the rocket things fell off. Sadly it was the same one that fell apart during re-entry.

 

[yogibigdog]

There will definitely be a lot of people wanting to see this launch. When I live in Orlando I went to see many launches. The nights ones are great! Traffic can get really bad. We use to take route 50 over to watch. Once we went and the mission and it was scrubbed 3 mins before take - off so you never know. Once I was able to here the sonic boom the shuttle made when it was making its return to Cape Canaveral. It was quite loud. If you have the chance it is worth seeing. Even if you don't drive over there look for the smoke trail. When I was working at the Dolphin - I took my break went outside looked east and was able to see the trail. Was also able to see it from my apt.

 

[maryliz]

We were on the train at MK in 2001 when the shuttle was launched in the early evening. The train engineer saw it and immediately stopped the train and announced to us where to look. It was awesome. Ask at your resort where they would recommend seeing it launch ... they'll have some great ideas for you too.

MaryLiz

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

....so the answer is: all of the above (very helpful info, posters, thank you!).

I just re-read the CNN release--guess I was so excited I missed the answer to some of my own questions (doh!) Both of the next 2 launches will be DAYLIGHT, per NASA's self-imposed restrictions; they want to be able to see any falling debris...just in case. (Yikes, how early can "daylight" be?!?!--I am just not an a.m. person...maybe I should drive over at 3am and sleep in the car outside the KSC gates until they open. (LOL!))

Guess I'll plan for a couple of scenarios, and if it doesn't occur on 5/15, I fortunately have a couple of days to work with. As for the traffic, well, it's like that in L.A. every day....person at KSC I spoke to said people generally stop on all the nearby roads/fwys to watch, so it won't be the end of the world if I miss out on the special launch tour (they won't be able to accommodate everyone!), which can only get just so close to the pad anyway. If the launch is scrubbed right before take off or rescheduled altogether, I will certainly be very disappointed, but think that visiting KSC will still be a major thrill, and as one poster mentioned above, there will still be a lot of "shuttle prep activity" going on that will likely be seen in taking the regular KSC tour.

Incidentally, there's another shuttle scheduled to go in July. The windows for both lauches are very narrow and 2nd is essentially contingent on the 1st due to the involvement of the space station in the missions and the safeguards now in place (following the last disaster). The way it's been projected, if the May launch doesn't occur within the narrow window, July launch not likely....If it wasn't as perfect as could possibly be (re: an above post), NASA wouldn't have made the announce, going so far as to pick a specific date this far out on the calendar. (see quotes below; they are hellbent on making this happen this year) Just my opinion, but judging from implied PR concerns, unless something potentially catastrophic is detected and/or the weather is absolutely unseasonal, these flights are going to launch. Just been too much fall out in the aftermath. NASA needs it to happen--as does the nation.

TT

P.S.: To the poster who asked, yes, 5/15 was specifed in the press release; KSC still only lists the range of dates comprising the window.

[from the CNN release:]
"Readdy admitted he hoped the techniques would be further along, but said that two years ago repairing the shuttle's thermal protection system while in flight was thought impossible."

"Both the Discovery and Atlantis missions will be test flights to the international space station to demonstrate the shuttle is once again safe to fly."

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

anyone driving to KSC from POP?

I am. Alamo has weekend days for $19.95 (or 3 day rental for $59.95). Are you travelling alone?

TT

 

[Sadie]

I saw one in June 2002. I think we were in Epcot. I have a couple of pictures. All I could see was a very big smoke trail going straight up but to me it was very exciting!

 

[CTPacky]

On the advice of the bartender, we watched it from the bridge between Ole Man Island and The Food Court. It was something I won't soon forget. It was much larger in the sky than I imagined.