space shuttle launch

[top-timm]

hi
i am looking for tips on places to view the shuttle take off in july.what is the closet place to view the lift off.
Also has anyone bought there tickets on the day to visit the space centre or bought them in uk as wondering what was the cheapest option.

we fly out on june 30th CANT WAIT............

 

[Tiffa]

Hi we were there in 1999 and got to see a night time launch It looks as thou the space shuttle launch will be delayed, but from what I hear you can see it almost anywhere in Florida when it takes off, we got a pass and were at Kennedy for the launch but it was, crazy trying to leave all the traffic was awful , but I would do it again in a heartbeat it was amazing to watch and hear and feel the ground shake. Tickets are not too much they do a bundle ticket for the tours and I think Imax movie, if the shuttle is up you can usually hear them talk back and forth while at the space center, that may have change since 9/11 but we heard it Have fun

 

[Drcell01]

We have been there during two previous launches. You can see the shuttle from WDW property although it just looks like a flickering light in the sky without the use of binoculars. We have also traveled east down the beeline hwy toward Cape Canaveral to get a better look at the launch. As it got close to launch time and we were still 10 miles away from the facility we pulled over off the highway along with most of the cars traveling along the beeline. We got a great look at the shuttle and its flight into space without the need to be at KSC. If you try our way of seeing the launch I suggest that you leave WDW at least one hour before launch as traffic on the beeline gets heavy whenever there is a shuttle launch as other people try this same way to see the flight.

 

[zdad]

Used to live in Orlando. If it is a night launch, it is wonderful to watch right from orlando. It lights up the night sky.
If you want to go, then plan to get there several hours before the launch. I'd recco you just park across the Banana River from KSC. Great viewing and not on Cape property. Bring binoculars, so you can see up close before launch. At liftoff though, just weatch, feel, and listen. What a wonderfuls site.

 

[flclarkkent]

During shuttle launches, I used to drive over to Titusville (you can take the Beeline to I-95, and then a slight jog north on 95) or take Highway 50 from Orlando to Titusville...I watched several launches at a park near the city's downtown on U.S. 1. Night launches are amazing there...daytime launches aren't too shabby either.

You can see the shuttle from almost anywhere in Central Florida, day or night. It's much more impressive close up though.

For launch times, and possible changes, check the daily paper of where ever you are staying. The Orlando Sentinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal and Florida Today all run schedules of launches at the Cape.

 

[Melisa1]

we watched a night launch from our hotel balcony in Cocoa Beach and it was great!!!!!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

We got to see the shuttle taking off on our honeymoon in Disney. It was our 1st day at the parks (my first time ever to DW!) and when we went to get the boat over to the MK, everyone was standing in place looking up towards the Contemporary. DH and I wonder what they were doing and then we realized they were watching the shuttle. It was really cool. You could barely see the shuttle, but you could see the smoke trail very well.

A few years later we were going back to DW again and we were spending the night in St. Augustine and there was a night launch. We walked over to the beach and saw that. We could see the entire horizon turn red from the lift off. (I am so mad at myself b/c I left my video camera in the room!!!)

It is really a special thing to see, even from a distance. We always check now to see if there is anything scheduled when we go down.

 

[fairytalelover]

Is it easy to get there from WDW to see a launch up close?

 

[dgdbloe]

Top-timm we are also going end of June to mid July- what launch are you talking of-? I had contacted KSpace Center and was told no launch during our visit. Any info appreciated thanks

 

[cinamin27]

Top-timm we are also going end of June to mid July- what launch are you talking of-? I had contacted KSpace Center and was told no launch during our visit. Any info appreciated thanks

dgdbloe:
this link will take you to the launches scheduled at Kennedy, hope this helps:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/missions/schedule.html

there is shuttle launch scheduled for the window of July 12 to July 31

3rd Quarter
Mission: STS-121
Launch Planning Window: July 12 to July 31
Space Shuttle Atlantis
PAD: 39B KSC

I tried to copy the entire 2005 & 2006 schedule into this post but it didnt turn out quite right

 

[dgdbloe]

Much thanks- leaving Orlando 7/16- was planning to visit Space Center week before that- would be awesome to visit one week and see launch the next- Thanks Again