Space Shuttle Launches Viewing Tips? Etc?

[Mouseaholic!!!]

If you don't want to give up a day in the parks a good close second is to be in EPCOT and watch it in the sky directly behind Mission Space. We were in WDW for the October watch and while it has always been a dream of mine to see a launch in person there was no way I was going to try to keep my 6 & 2 yr. old occupied for the entire day or deal with being stuck in traffic on the way back to WDW. Not to mention I would have hated to give up the day, get over KSC only to have the launch not happen.

I made sure that we were in the Mission Space area for the launch and I will say that it was by far the highlight of my trip. It was almost surreal seeing what we could of the launch and being the sap that I am I actually teared up. My DH isn't that into the space program, my six year old doesn't fully grasp the importance or awesomeness (ok, that isn't a real word but it works here) and my 2 yr. old was just wanting a Mickey bar.

So if you decide not to go either make sure to be near MS at that time or find a good spot on the east side of WDW to catch a glimpse of it.

Co workers left here with the same comment about entertaining their - high intensity 7 year old daughter.

They saw the launch up close (NOTHING can compare) and then hopped over to the beach to play in the surf for an hour or so until the traffic cleared....and were back at EPCOT for dinner.

WDW vs a shuttle launch......sorry folks - as much as I ADORE everything at WDW -- no comparison.

 

[jimmymac]

Another vote for taking the day to see a shuttle launch. Seeing it from WDW just doesn't compare. There are few things in the world as visceral as watching a shuttle launch. I've covered several and I'll never forget the feeling - your whole chest compresses from the shock. It's kind of like seeiing the Sistine Ceiling or the Grand Canal in Venice for the first time. It is soooo worth it. Nothing at WDW (or US, Seaworld or Busch gardens) evens comes close. The shuttles won't be around much longer - it's like living a bit of history, so grab it while you can

 

[jimmymac]

Another vote for taking the day to see a shuttle launch. Seeing it from WDW just doesn't compare. There are few things in the world as visceral as watching a shuttle launch. I've covered several and I'll never forget the feeling - your whole chest compresses from the shock. It's kind of like seeing the Sistine Ceiling or the Grand Canal in Venice for the first time. It is soooo worth it. Nothing at WDW (or US, Seaworld or Busch gardens) evens comes close. The shuttles won't be around much longer - it's like living a bit of history, so grab it while you can

 

[LilGMom]

Another vote for taking the day to see a shuttle launch. Seeing it from WDW just doesn't compare. There are few things in the world as visceral as watching a shuttle launch. I've covered several and I'll never forget the feeling - your whole chest compresses from the shock. It's kind of like seeiing the Sistine Ceiling or the Grand Canal in Venice for the first time. It is soooo worth it. Nothing at WDW (or US, Seaworld or Busch gardens) evens comes close. The shuttles won't be around much longer - it's like living a bit of history, so grab it while you can

I will make it to a launch and get as close as I can soon. But my kids will have to be a little older before I can ditch them and DH at WDW so that I can go see a launch or before I can take them to a launch and not want to stick them on the shuttle because they get too antsy (just kidding of course - I wouldn't do that to the astronauts ). I can only imagine (for now) how incredible it must be to see one up close. I get choked up watching them on the NASA channel in HD and got choked up while watching it go up over MS. Truely amazing.

 

[mommykds]

We will be disembarking from our cruise that very day. Can we watch from port canaveral where the ship docks?

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm merging this with the main shuttle thread.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[punkin413]

I will make it to a launch and get as close as I can soon. But my kids will have to be a little older before I can ditch them and DH at WDW so that I can go see a launch or before I can take them to a launch and not want to stick them on the shuttle because they get too antsy (just kidding of course - I wouldn't do that to the astronauts ). I can only imagine (for now) how incredible it must be to see one up close. I get choked up watching them on the NASA channel in HD and got choked up while watching it go up over MS. Truely amazing.

you may already know this, but the shuttle program is ending in 2010. so after that there will be no other chance. just wanted to let you know in case you already didn't that your chances are getting fewer and fewer!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

We will be disembarking from our cruise that very day. Can we watch from port canaveral where the ship docks?

The launch platforms are very close to the ship piers. I watched John Glen's shuttle launch from the top deck. WAY cool.

There are only a couple of shuttle launches scheduled for 2008.....everyone is right....we are running out of chances to see a shuttle launch. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. Too way cool!

Your children will return to school with a story that will impress their friends and teachers and a memory to last a lifetime.

 

[YellowXterra]

Worth the drive, We watch from Coco Beach in a Wal Mart parking lot. Could see it just as it started its 'Roll" We were 17 miles form the pad.

 

[Endeavour105]

See the following for the launch schedules for the Space Shuttle and Rocket Missions:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

 

[G@briel]

From Central Florida News
http://www.cfnews13.com/Space/DestinationSpace/2008/1/3/launch_targeted_for_february.html


Thursday, January 03, 2008 6:12:48 PM

NASA said it will likely be February before the space shuttle Atlantis gets off the ground.

Mission managers spent hours Thursday going over their options to fix a problem with a connector in the fuel tank.

Workers removed the broken part and shipped it back to Alabama to be studied. NASA said it needs to be fixed before a launch attempt is made.

Mission managers said a liftoff is still possible in late January, but only if everything goes exactly right.

Instead, they said it will likely be Feb. 2 or Feb. 7 before they will attempt a liftoff.

Atlantis is set to bring a new module to the International Space Station when it lifts off.

 

[laxcdn]

NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
Launch Window - No earlier than January 24, 2008
Target Launch Time - 8:23p.m.
Ticket orders cannot be placed via email or by leaving a voicemail. You must order online or by speaking with an agent (321-449-4400).


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

We were hoping just to see a rocket launch, but that was postponed and now the shuttle is suppose to launch. I think we will try and do most of a day at one of the parks then drive around dinner time to see how close we can get and see it. When does it get dark in Orlando now?

 

[BPCooper]

I have been away for several weeks but I just went through the latest replies and want to add:

1) Jetty Park is NOT the place to see the shuttle nor is it the closest free place to go. You want to go to Titusville in the event you cannot or do not want the tickets you can buy to get closer. Titusville is the closest place with free viewing. It offers a crystal clear view across the water at 12 miles from the pad.

2) The NASA.gov website only lists NASA launches. Most of the unmanned rocket launches are commercial and air force launches. A complete schedule can be found here:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

In addition, kennedyspacecenter.com is neither a NASA website nor a news website and its launch schedule is merely taken from other sites. It is not updated often enough and is not reliable. You will notice today it lists no launches in February or March which is incorrect.

 

[Michellynn]

Link to the latest info mentioned in Gabriel's post.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080103-sts122-sensorfix-update.html

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Okay I have checked out all these sites and I am seeing such conflicting info on a launch time. I am seeing 1/24 @8 something at night and 2/7 @ 2 something. Which is the correct one?

We will be there on 1/24 so if it is still scheduled for that we are going to try and catch it.

 

[BPCooper]

The launch was Jan. 24 until this afternoon (an overly hopeful day based on the repair plan for these sensors). They are now targeting February 7th. Feb. 7 is an afternoon launch of 2:47pm EST. Jan. 24 would have been in the evening.

 

[imprimouse]

Endeavor was originally scheduled for a Feb. 14th launch. I wonder if the 14th is still a viable launch date if they can't go on the 7th.

 

[BPCooper]

Endeavor was originally scheduled for a Feb. 14th launch. I wonder if the 14th is still a viable launch date if they can't go on the 7th.

Endeavour on STS-123 will not launch before March 11-13 or so. Mid-March dates would be a night launch of 12-3am timeframe.

 

[imprimouse]

right, what I meant to ask was if the 14th might be a backup date for Atlantis.
sorry

 

[BPCooper]

Oh; the launch can happen on virtually any day (there are no specific days, per say, that they have to launch on. No "slots").

There are, however, days or blocks of days when other events may be occurring that they cannot launch on. For example, another rocket launch scheduled from the Cape. Or, for example, a Russian ISS mission scheduled to launch would interfere. Just such an example is occurring soon: A Russian Progress resupply ship is slated for launch to the space station on Feb. 5th, and flight rules dictate that if the shuttle couldn't go by, say, Jan. 24 (or a few days after) that it would need to slip to Feb. 7 or beyond; the reason is that Progress cannot dock to the station while the shuttle is there.

Beyond Feb. 7th, all of February should be open for launch.