Where to see Atlantis launch...

[iradi8]

I'm sitting here at FW in the RV watching the news. I didn't realize there was a launch tomorrow!!! We have been trying to see a launch for a year or two. Obviously, the tickets are sold out.

Where can we go to watch it? How early should we get there?

Thanks!

 

[motofamily]

if it was me I would head over to COCO Beach and just hang out. I have a friend whos DAD works at NASA and he told me the best thing to do is check the weather watch the news in the morning and try to find a place nearby where you can hang out in a parking lot or restaurant because 1 your going to here it before you see it 2 then your going to see it. But I am sure some FL residents can maybe give you better ideas just what they told me. Have fun and hope you get to see it. Its awesome.

 

[Tnbob]

Go out on the dock and look to the right

 

[des1954]

If you want to drive over towards the cape, leave early - like 3-4 hours before launch time. This particular launch will be "history making" because of the mission. Traffic can be horrendous.

I personally wouldn't bother trying to get in to KSC for many reasons on a launch day, although you probably can get in. That being said, if you have the means available (i.e. GPS) go to Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral, but get there early. Not only will you have a great view of the launch, but you will also get to see cruise ships if there are any leaving or returning today. There's a terrific beach at Jetty Park & lots of other stuff to do.

 

[bouncycat]

Jetty park does offer a great view! Also, anywhere along us1 with a clear view of the pad across the river will offer good views also, that can be anywhere from Titusville to Cocoa. But, yes, get here early!!! Pack a lunch and just hang out. Enoy it, it's definedly a neat experience. This close, you can also feel it, not before you see it tho, it rattles the gutters on my house, and scares the dog!!! Not as bad as when it comes in tho, them twin booms like to pop my front door open!!! LOL

 

[chilipyro]

Related question (sorry for the thread hijack) - we won't be there for the launch, but the 10 day mission puts us there for the expected landing. Is a shuttle landing something worth seeing? If so, is it an event that get publicized well enough to plan to be there? By the way, even if you miss the launch, there will be a second shuttle on the launch pad for the duration of the mission. That should be worth a look too. We were planning a KSC visit at some point during our FW stay. I wish it would have coincided with the launch (much envy for your good fortune!), but just seeing the shuttle on the pad will be pretty good too.

 

[bouncycat]

Related question (sorry for the thread hijack) - we won't be there for the launch, but the 10 day mission puts us there for the expected landing. Is a shuttle landing something worth seeing? If so, is it an event that get publicized well enough to plan to be there? By the way, even if you miss the launch, there will be a second shuttle on the launch pad for the duration of the mission. That should be worth a look too. We were planning a KSC visit at some point during our FW stay. I wish it would have coincided with the launch (much envy for your good fortune!), but just seeing the shuttle on the pad will be pretty good too.

The landing is something you cannot see. I live here and I've never seen one. That is heavily secured. BUT, you can HEAR it, when it comes in, there's twin sonic booms that rock the whole area!! I always 'hit the deck' when I hear it before I realize what it is. Definedly go to KSC, it's worth seeing for the history, and the pure neatness of it. I'll try to get some pictures of the launch today and post them, if we're not busy at work!! if you can go, it's worth it, just to 'feel' the power of the shuttle, is awesome, never gets old for me!!

 

[des1954]

Any Fort Fiends out there get to see the launch from FtW? There was too much cloud cover on the horizon to see it from my house. Dang it!!!

 

[tungpo1]

Im in Jacksonville and didnt see a thing too cloudy

 

[Memph1s]

We are in the Tampa area and we saw it.....on TV too cloudy and hazzy here too.

 

[iradi8]

Thanks, everyone.

We left FW at 10am. Traffic wasn't too bad at that time. The toll booths were ridiculous! I can't believe we hit three toll booths in about 5 minutes...lol! Of course, the traffic was backed up there.

We went to Space View park in Titusville. We were driving around trying to find a place to park but there was nothing near the park. Then, we saw an empty grass lot and the guy was charging $20 per car. Too convenient to pass up for us -- he must have made several thousand dollars.

We walked right across the street and found a great spot between the street and the end of a canal. Straight ahead -- up the canal -- was the launch pad.

It was definitely worth seeing and hearing in person!