Space shuttle

[martinrmn]

Has anyone seen a space shuttle launch? We are there from Nov 29th for 2 weeks and the shuttle is being launched weather allowing Dec 6th. Ideally we would like to see it as close as possible from the bridge over the river, I have been on the Kennedy site and have seen the details. My question is what is it like? My darling wife Donna is a massive fan and this is one of her all time things to see and do. Last year we saw the launch from our bedroom on I-Drive. That in itself was fantastic but to see it closer would probably be out of this world!

 

[jockey]

We had tickets for KSC last December. It was a really long day as we had to be at Kennedy hours before the launch, After getting bused out to the viewing point the launch was cancelled! The atmosphere was buzzing though and it would have been great had the launch taken place! Took approx 4 hours to get back to Orlando due traffic!

 

[wayneg]

We decided to go last month to see launch but did not buy tickets after so many dissapointments over the years with delays. We just drove over to Titusville http://www.spacecityflusa.com/
We got there about 90 mins to take of. Traffic was fairly bad going, worst was thru the tolls took us 2 hours. Coming back was easy 1 hour, so a lot better than Jockey, but we took a diff route thru Christmas, longer but a lot lot quicker.
Titusville have stalls selling Shuttle stuff, bbq, drinks etc. Theres is a shuttle memorial and plaques to read. TV was there filming, big crowd nearer it got who were amazing, atmosphere was superb, everyone counting down, cheering and clapping on lauch. Worth every minute of the 14 years its taken me to see a launch, 1st tried in 1993.
These pics were taken with a 300mm lens so you are quite a distance away but I believe its like that everywhere. I just want to see a night launch now

 

[castanea1985]

Wayne
They are fantastic photos!!
I know what you mean about getting to see a launch. We've had numerous trips where we've waited and waited, but had to come home before it goes up!
The company we went kayaking with this summer, do shuttle launch trips. To see it from the water would be fantastic!
Tracy

 

[T16GEM]

Wayne - thos pictures are amazing! I love KSC and we will be going for sure this year. We saw a night launch (but I don't think it was a shuttle) a few years ago - stayed up till 2am to see it and saw it from the back garden of the villa! Very cool!

 

[irongirlof12]

excellent photos Wayne, by your reckoning I have another 5 years wait then!

 

[angel659]

I really want to see a launch. We arrive on the 7th Dec

I think we saw a launch by accident in Epcot walking past France. We were standing there and heard a noise. When we looked up it looked a rocket or something was being launched. I dont know if we did or not, but looking back at the pics it sure looks like it was.

This time I really want to go and see one. For me please be re-scheduled for the 8th-20th Dec

 

[disneyholic family]

great photos!
yes we've tried several times....and despite having been in florida i don't know how many times, we've never succeeded...

Wayne, how was the noise?....was it a booming sound even as far away as you were?

 

[wayneg]

Wayne, how was the noise?....was it a booming sound even as far away as you were?

Noise was strange, I had always heard from other people about a boom and very loud but I think with the excitement, trying to concentrate on photos and the noise of the crowd the last thing I was thinking about was the noise. It was more of a loud roar than a boom, similar to about 5 airplanes setting off together right next to you. Maybe the boom is more on re-entry I don't know.
I now need to see another to take it in, 1st time was just like a dream now.

 

[martinrmn]

Excellent photos! I can't wait to see the launch myself now. Tell me how far is Titusville? Mind, thinking about that I am pretty sure my wife would rather be at Kennedy to see the launch.

 

[wayneg]

Excellent photos! I can't wait to see the launch myself now. Tell me how far is Titusville? Mind, thinking about that I am pretty sure my wife would rather be at Kennedy to see the launch.

Its no further than KSC or Port Canaveral if you have been there before. All very similar distance takes about 1 hour on a clear run.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&h...81,-80.733032&spn=0.515147,0.925598&z=10&om=1

 

[Callum]

We have taken the "official" launch trip at KSC and, as already mentioned, it can be a very long day with loads of traffic. Certainly well worth it, though.

Have also viewed a couple of night launches from Kissimmee. The great thing was watching the countdown and lift off on NASA TV and then stepping outside to see it head for the stars!

Wayne - interesting to read what you said about the noise at lift off. I was also surprised as it was not what I had expected. To my ears (and this was in 1991) it was a series of extremely loud crackles. I have an old VHS video of the launch so I'll just have to have another look

 

[disneyholic family]

Noise was strange, I had always heard from other people about a boom and very loud but I think with the excitement, trying to concentrate on photos and the noise of the crowd the last thing I was thinking about was the noise. It was more of a loud roar than a boom, similar to about 5 airplanes setting off together right next to you. Maybe the boom is more on re-entry I don't know.
I now need to see another to take it in, 1st time was just like a dream now.

well maybe one day we'll experience it too...
although it would seem not necessarily the space shuttle...
maybe their next big project....

it must be terribly exciting....i love watching planes take off, so i can't even imagine how exciting it would be to see the shuttle...

 

[BPCooper]

My guide should give you a rundown on viewing shuttle launches. Many have found it helpful:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Titusville is the place to go other than buying tickets which can get you closer. Tickets for the Dec. 6 launch would go on sale about six weeks beforehand, and they sell out in about two minutes. There is a link in my guide to the kennedyspacecenter.com site where the tickets would be sold. There is an email signup on that website to be alerted via an ad when tickets are about to go on sale.

Right now, the schedule is tight for Dec. 6 but it is still on track. You should note that there is a window from Dec. 6 to 12 that that mission (STS-122) must launch in before being postponed to at least Dec. 30 though more likely after the New Year holiday.

This site gives up to date launch dates most of the time, and is the best one to bookmark:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

And here is the NASA/KSC launch schedule which would also show shuttle launch delays as they happen:
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

Keep in mind that the nasa.gov link only lists NASA launches (the space shuttle, and rockets with NASA payloads). It omits other rocket launches of which the first site has a complete listing.

As far as the sound goes, from Titusville it may not come across as the "very loud roar and crackling rumble" people may expect. You can hear it very clearly and feel it easily as well, and being 12 miles away that is amazing every time (name something else you can hear from 12 miles away). But don't expect the jaw dropping, 'drowns out everything around you' kind of noise; you would have to be with press or VIPs at the three mile mark for that However, if you can get the causeway tickets (6.5 miles) or even visitors center tickets they sell (7.4 miles) you will get your moneys worth on this subject. It is pretty loud and powerful from there (especially the causeway). But I stress it is hard to get your hands on the causeway tickets in realtime. Tickets for the visitors center are easier, though.

Good luck and if you need any more help please ask.

 

[disneyholic family]

As far as the sound goes, from Titusville it may not come across as the "very loud roar and crackling rumble" people may expect. You can hear it very clearly and feel it easily as well, and being 12 miles away that is amazing every time (name something else you can hear from 12 miles away). But don't expect the jaw dropping, 'drowns out everything around you' kind of noise; you would have to be with press or VIPs at the three mile mark for that However, if you can get the causeway tickets (6.5 miles) or even visitors center tickets they sell (7.4 miles) you will get your moneys worth on this subject. It is pretty loud and powerful from there (especially the causeway). But I stress it is hard to get your hands on the causeway tickets in realtime. Tickets for the visitors center are easier, though.

now i really feel bad that we missed it the time we actually were scheduled for the VIP location, but the launch was cancelled -- kind of obvious it would be cancelled - it was a launch scheduled for 5 pm on a July afternoon - what's the liklihood there won't be a torrential thunderstorm at that hour in july?????
that was the only time we actually tried to get onsite....

 

[katdocnorf]

Wow great pics... Even from WDW you can see it.. We were in WDW during last months take off. These were taken from the Fort Wilderness Marina.