SPace Shuttle Launches

[katielady]

We were excited to find out that there is a space shuttle launch during our trip. June 28th

My son (9) wants to go but our two daughters (6, 4)are scared of the loud noise.

This would be such a thrill to see but I think we may split up so the girls can do something else.

Has anyone been to one of these with kids? Where do you watch from?

Thanks.

 

[jwfla422]

Can't say I've been to one but I can tell you I have seen them from Orlando and even from our home all the way in South FL (yes it was just a light in the sky but it was soooo cool to know that it was the space shuttle and we could see it from more than 200 miles away!)

Just be aware though that it is very frequent for their schedules to change. The launches get rescheduled a lot even before they actually try to do the launch. I do know they sell tickets to the launches. You might want to check the Kennedy Space Center website to see if you can get info on that. As far as noise goes, I can't help you there as we've never been close enough to hear it.

 

[tnmomof4]

Last year we went to Cocoa Beach to watch the launch. We were right on the beach so the kids could play before and after the launch. There were others there for the same reason. I thought it was the perfect spot. It wasn't so close that the noise would scare my 2 year olds, but close enough to see it very clearly. My 9 and 7 year old boys were so excited. I was able to take some pictures. I love Cocoa Beach. They have restaurants on the pier and the beach is great. The only sad thing was that they were having technical difficulties... I think it was because of the weather. They kept pushing the launch time back and eventually cancelled it. My kids were disappointed, but we were at the beach so they still had fun. We ate at the restuarant and had a great time. I think this is a great spot to watch the launch.

 

[tiggermei]

First, yes -- it is very loud if you are at the "official" watch locations. It's a physical wall of sound that hits you and you cannot hear anything but the sound. It is a very moving experience, though, and I can't wait for my DD7 to see her first launch.

That said, I have it on good authority (DH has connections) that the June launch is not occurring in June -- even though the launch website isn't being updated. The previous poster pointed out that launches are frequently (if not almost always) postponed, and this is no exception. This delay is due to the Atlantis delay from February/March that still hasn't been rescheduled. There is a technical issue that will prevent the launches from occurring so quickly. The launch for June is currently penciled in for August, but the Atlantis launch that is currently "unscheduled" is probably going in late May or June? So, that might be an option -- depending on what happens.

But, NASA has the right to change its mind. That (I guess) is why they aren't changing the schedule online. This is a HUGE launch for 118 and they don't want to draw attention. This will be the launch of Barbara Morgan (Space Educator Astronaut) to space. She was Christa McAuliff's backup on Challenger and will be the first teacher in space. So, if you want tickets, I'd get on it. I believe DH has said the tickets for Banana Creek are sold out.

I agree that Cocoa Beach is a great site for viewing. Unfortunately, when we tried to watch last June, the launch was delayed (see?) and we didn't get to see it. But, you can see the Cape from there and the view is supposedly amazing. The sound would be much lower, as well. I can tell you that we saw a huge rocket launch in early March from Ocala and it was so beautiful. So, a launch from Orlando is easily viewable. My dad saw Challenger's explosion from Orlando -- one of the more surreal things he's seen in his life he says. But, he has seen several launches from Orlando. And, they are obviously visable.

 

[myboymic]

went in june 2002 on dis cruise got to see launch went to ksc tickets sold out went to welcome center was real crowded asked emplyee how long it would take to get out said about an hour after launch asked if any other place to watch sent us to titusville to a park back of ksc we got to see the launch it was great got it on tape and everything got to hear it wasn't to loud also got the smoke from launch we parked on side of ride walked in a short way and got right out it was once in life experience

 

[dgaston]

We've tried for 2 launches. One 7/13/05 finally launched in August, and 7/1/06 launched 7/4/06. We've parked at the Holiday Inn in Titusville ($10 fee) and had great seats. Unfortunately we haven't been able to check it off DH's life goal lists. Terrible traffic afterwards!

 

[PlutoDisney]

If you get to go to a launch im sure you'll love it. We were lucky enough to get tickets to a launch in July 2001. It was an amazing experiences to have and one I won't forget. The launch wasn't until late so it was pitch black, with everyone sat along the river (near the International Space Station Center I think) then within seconds of the launch the sky was lit up like it was the middle of the afternoon, such an amzing site. It was fairly noisy as I recall but I was so focussed on what I was seeing I didnt really pay much attention to the noise.

Definitely something to see if you get the chance.

 

[Megan07]

I had tickets for the Atlantis launch in March. My friend and I (college kids) bought tickets. We were hoping if it woudl be delayed, it'd only be a couple days. We planned our whole trip and even took finals early just to see it. Thanks to a hail storm right over the launch pad, our dreams didn't come true. I hope sometime to see it. But we did go to discovery cove and that made up for part of the sadness!! We still went around the KSC but didn't see verything because we got there kinda late.

 

[sammielynn]

I was in Orlando in Sept. and watched a launch from DTD. Not real close but still awsome.

 

[anna1111]

There is a very good chance the June 28th flight will be resheduled. We had been hoping for several months now to see this launch. However with the latest launch pushed back do to the damage from a hail storm, the June launch date will most likely change also. I could be wrong and I hope that it doesn't change.