Space Shuttle Launches Viewing Tips? Etc?

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

I will just say that I think that it is worth the hassle to get closer, of course this is coming from a girl who looks for the space shuttle while it flys over michigan at 2am.

but any how, I would make the trip to space park in titusville.

we did the nasa causeway thing for the past launch October 23rd, and I'd do it all over again, it was really cloudy so that kind of limited our view but it was still worth it.

Its just hard to get tickets, they were gone in 2 minutes, I just got in.

 

[Seahunt]

Here's a picture from the Ponce Inlet lighthouse (Daytona Beach) of a night launch:

I think everyone should go to a launch at least one time if you are close to the area. We are lucky as we can just step out our front door and watch the shuttles rocket trail across the sky when they head off (and Atlas rocket launches too) - they are many miles away of course, and it takes about 5 mins for the rumbling sound wave to arrive clear up here in Daytona! (And depending on their trajectory coming home, sometimes we get the double sonic booms - scary loud!

BTW you can also go to the "youtube" website and look at shuttle launches in Titusville to see what they look like so you can decide if you want to drive over. If we're going down we usually go to the park but I know the TV reporters during the last shuttle launch said they were at a bar called "New York New York" in Titusville and they said it was undiscovered for the great launch view from there, but maybe that's a little too rowdy for families

There are also lots of tours available - you can even take a boat tour and watch the shuttle launch from the water. If anyone is a real space fan, Gray Line has a super launch experience with pick up at your Orlando hotel for $115pp - here's the info:

This is our closest view possible for the launch of Space Shuttle! The tour includes round-trip transportation from your Orlando-area hotel to Kennedy Space Center, admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Launch Viewing Ticket for the special NASA Causeway viewing site, and a souvenir t-shirt. This is the ultimate package for any space buff and guarantees the closest view possible for a member of the public - the NASA Causeway only NASA officials, press and invited dignitaries are allowed closer.
You will be able to see the Space Shuttle on the launch pad from only 6 miles away! This is very close allowing you to see the liftoff and feel the powerful rumble of the shuttle’s massive engines. The view is across a beautiful natural waterfront area in so you’ll definitely want your camera or binoculars!

Collapsible umbrella-style chairs and blankets can be brought along but no folding sun chairs are permitted. It is an open causeway area with no seating but it is the best view on property. There will be a launch countdown on the public address system. There is no refund should the launch be scrubbed on the day of the tour.

For the launch day there will be no standard access tickets allowed on Kennedy Space Center property and there will also be no onsite ticket sales, the only way people will get to view the launch is with the pre-booked programs.

You will have a maximum access badge so take advantage of the time in KSC to see the exhibits, IMAX movies or visit the space shop. This is a fantastic opportunity to be within a limited number of people who will have this opportunity. A souvenir t-shirt will be provided to remind you of the day you went to Kennedy Space Center and had the opportunity to see the shuttle lift off!

This is a long day so we don’t recommend it for small children. The maximum access badge is a 2-day ticket and can be used on the consecutive day (transportation fees would apply) to see further aspects of the space center - IMAX movies and bus tours may not be available on launch day - therefore we would recommend you plan using the 2nd day of access of your ticket if you are unable to see them launch day.

Be aware that security at the Visitor Complex entrance will be thorough. All bags will be checked and no questionable items will be permitted. This includes any pocket knives, mace/pepper spray, scissors, box cutters or anything the guests may have in their possession that could be construed as a weapon. The checking of bags takes time so you are encouraged to limit the items you carry whenever possible in order to minimize your wait time. No items will be allowed to be left on the buses and storage at KSC is not available.

Tickets for this package are very limited and will sell out!!

 

[BPCooper]

The Gray Line tour (which in fact I think are still available for STS-122) is viewing from the NASA causeway. The catch is you must be picked up from a hotel in Orlando.

http://www.ksctickets.com/grydol.html

That beautiful photo above was taken by the Daytona Beach News Journal of STS-76 in 1996.

My advice is always that if you are already within an hour or two, you should definitely drive the rest of the way even if it takes a second try because of a scrub. It is unquestionably worth it.

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks everyone for the great tips! How busy is Titusville the day of the launch? Are there any places that we can view the launch from that are less crowded than others? Thanks again!

 

[Endeavour105]

Thanks everyone for the great tips! How busy is Titusville the day of the launch? Are there any places that we can view the launch from that are less crowded than others? Thanks again!

"Less crowded" is a relative term and you need to consider all of Titusville very busy...and crowded...on launch day.

Viewing the launch from WDW or being able to see the space shuttle head for space at WDW is solely dependant on the cloud cover between WDW and the Cape. There are no guarantees that one will be able to see it, and, depending on the cloud cover, one can expect to get a fleeting glimpse at best if viewing from WDW if there is cloud cover.

 

[redoschi]

I'll arrive in Orlando (MCO) at about 2pm on Dec 6th. Our flight from Brazil comes to Orlando, we'll stay on a hotel near the airport as we take a flight to New york on the Early morning of Dec 7th. But we'll be back on the 11th for 12 full days of WDW before returning to Brazil!

I was thinking on hitting something like the Florida Mall (nearest mall I believe to the airport. If anyone has another idea I'm open for it!) for some strolling around and an early dinner before we get an early sleep to get up at 4am for the NY flight.

Does anyone know if we can see the launch from the Florida mall or anywhere in the Airport area? Any ideas of a nice place to see it in the area?

Does anyone know if, with weather permitting, there is a nice place to see the launch from the Florida Mall / Airport area?

 

[Conan the Librarian]

The following is a photo I took in 1984 of Discovery. I was on the causway with my 8" Newtonian and took the picture through it.

Then there was this launch of Atlantis in Dec 2006 that I took from Savannah, GA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-CAbRBiQI

The video doesn't coordinate with the audio, but, you can tell what's going on.

Next time, I'll have a tri-pod!

 

[TheIncredibles]

Haven't thought of this in a while - I was at MK when the last manned Apollo Mission flew to the Moon! Naturally, being Texans, we didn't know when or where to look, but we heard later it flew in full view right over the park!

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

The following is a photo I took in 1984 of Discovery. I was on the causway with my 8" Newtonian and took the picture through it.

Then there was this launch of Atlantis in Dec 2006 that I took from Savannah, GA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-CAbRBiQI

The video doesn't coordinate with the audio, but, you can tell what's going on.

Next time, I'll have a tri-pod!

quite a lens you had there,

cool picture

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks everyone for your tips and pictures!

 

[rabilodeau]

Seen a few launches. The best was this year during school break. This was the one that went up at night. We were at EPCOT and you could hear a pin drop while everyone looked up to See the shuttle. It lit up the hole area. It was amazing..

Traffic will be heaviest the closer you get to the space center. You do not have to be that close to get a good view. try a beach 10 /20 miles away. If you don't mind the traffic get there early (Any where along the sea shore) and spend a few hours after the launch having a picnic.

I do it to say "Been there, done that, whats next"

Have fun

 

[BPCooper]

If it was this year and at night, it wasn't the shuttle. The only nighttime shuttle launch in the last five years was Dec. 9, 2006, at 8:47pm.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Thanks everyone for the info.

I'd also like to know if there is somewhere besideds Disney in Orlando or even 30 minutes out that would be a good spot?

I live in a small town the south end of Volusia County & can actually see the launches from my home. We always watch it crest the top of the trees. But if you want to see spectacular without crowds you could try watching it from either the beach at New Smyrna Beach or one of the beaches in Daytona Beach. You'd probably miss the crowds - you'll still feel the rumble, but you won't feel the heat from the launch pad like you would at KSC. You will be able to see the shuttle til it's way down range from the actual launch site. JMHO..............

 

[Lyons Family]

We were at Chef Mickeys in the Contemporary when I remembered the launch. I went to the Bar to get drinks and the bartender goes The shuttle will take off in 5 min. I went and got my husband and daughter. From the bar TV behind us and looking out the windows east we saw the tv launch on live and saw the shuttle rise above the tree line about 5 sec. later. Even though we were about 40 miles ? away it was awesome.

 

[CanadianGuy]

What a great thread.. I'm going to sticky this till Thursday.. Cuz I bet lots of people will be asking.

Knox

 

[BPCooper]

The countdown for launch of Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-122, the 121st flight of the space shuttle program, will begin at 7:00pm EST Monday at the T-43 hour mark. The countdown includes about 24 hours of built in holds leading up to launch at 4:31:44pm EST Thursday (+/- a few seconds).

The early weather outlook looks very favorable.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts122/071130frr/

This website will provide live updates in their "mission status center" leading up to launch. You can also view it live on NASA TV (www.nasa.gov/ntv) and on all three cable news channels.

 

[mickiecake]

I have a question about shuttle launches.. We want to go to the one on Feb 14th.. how will I know when tickets go on sale? Will it be on the website? If they sell out in 2 minutes, I guess I need to be on the ball!!

 

[BPCooper]

I have a question about shuttle launches.. We want to go to the one on Feb 14th.. how will I know when tickets go on sale? Will it be on the website? If they sell out in 2 minutes, I guess I need to be on the ball!!

http://kennedyspacecenter.stores.yahoo.net/stspshat.html

Click sign up for launch info and you will get an email about a week before they go on sale:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/eventSignUp.asp

Yes, all of the causeway tickets sell out in minutes so you have to be ready and prepared. Visitors complex tickets (cannot see the pad itself from there) tend to remain on sale almost all the way to launch.

 

[melissac]

We were at WDW Dec 9th, 2006 and were taking a illumination cruise that night. The boat driver met us early and took us out so we could see the launch before the fireworks. It was really neat. I'm sure it would be better closer up but it was cool to see. We will be there again for this launch. We will hopefully be able to see something. Not like a night launch though. The whole horizon lights up. It was amazing.

 

[Whosemom]

Wow, things have changed. We were there in 99? (by the looks of my kid in the pics). We had free tickets to get to a certain spot on KSC. Then it kept raining out. We drove from WDW 3 or 4 times to try to see it. I do NOT remember traffic being a big deal even the first time (but we were very excited, so I could just have dimissed that part). Anyway, the final and succesful time, there was a lot out on the causeway that paying folks could go to, but they let in the free tickets too. It was excellent!