Day or Night Shuttle Launch Please?

[wendywhite]

Hello all, well the obsessive Florida compulsion is srong again, so we are planning on another trip later this year hoping to coincide with a shuttle launch. My question is most launches this year appear to be at night, has anyone seen a night launch and is it as spectacular as a day launch, is the photography still worthwhile?
Thanks all!! :)

[Bobbles]

Just looking at the shuttle schedule now and there is only one at night on March 11th. All the others are during daylight assuming daylight at 8:26 am in April, 8:24 am in August and 8:08pm in September. Sorry can't answer your question about which is most spectacular but looking at these times, unless they are delayed it seems like it will be daylight anyway.

[wayneg]

Only seen a day launch, one of the best experiences of my life but we have a few friends in Florida all say night launches are better. I am hoping March launch is delayed but doubt it will be delayed long enough, we don't fly out until the 22nd.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/IMG_4362.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/IMG_4364.jpg

[Villainlover]

I have seen three launches and all have been at night.

It is a pretty awesome sight but so very bright that photos are tricky.. I didn't have special lense or anything fancy (just point and shot) so I am sure if you are good at photography you would get a better photo

this is from titusville

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/villainlover/floridaholiday06170.jpg

you probably get a clearer view of seperation and stuff if you view from farther away in orlando or something cos you are kinda blinded when so near LOL but to be right there for a night launch is awesome imo the whole place lights up

[wendywhite]

Wow those night launch photos are gorgeous!! Hmm difficult decision coming up now, we went last December for the Atlantis launch which was cancelled whilst we were practically boarding the bus to go to the kennedy launch site, then spent the rest of the week getting up early every day to check on the schedule! It was quite traumatic in a benign sort of way lol. But I guess that's the luck of the draw really.......if we want to see one then we have to keep trying!!

[Villainlover]

We just go to Titusville and aim to get a meal at pauls Smokehouse, then if the launch is scrubbed at least we had a trip out and a great meal .. and then usually have to go again for a second time the day after :) I think it is great that you can just pop out to see the launch and return to your table afterwards to enjoy your dessert :spin:

[LaraB]

I saw the Atlantis launch in 1991 at night, and even though you couldn't actually see the shuttle itself, just the trail, it was an impressive sight and experience. Still get very emotional listening to the countdown and crowd reaction we captured on video.

[monty59]

Only seen night time launch, it was fantastic. Would highly recommend it.

[KK_Cat]

Consider yourself lucky if you get to see any shuttle launch, never mind time of day. I've made 3 attempts now to coincide holiday with launch, and still haven't been successful.

Dec 6th was my last try too, and it launched (as you probably know) on Feb 7th. Won't be this year for me unless there are major delays or changes to dates, maybe 2009.

[wendywhite]

Know how you feel KK Cat, however hubby is quite determined to try try and try again! Yes last December was sooo close wasn't it, we really thought we would be lucky. However we haven't booked a trip as yet, we are going to keep our options open for a while longer and keep an eye on the flights. ;)

[wendywhite]

There is a November 6th launch KK, I guess your dates don't coincide? :(

[wayneg]

Consider yourself lucky if you get to see any shuttle launch, never mind time of day. I've made 3 attempts now to coincide holiday with launch, and still haven't been successful.

Dec 6th was my last try too, and it launched (as you probably know) on Feb 7th. Won't be this year for me unless there are major delays or changes to dates, maybe 2009.

We had been trying for 14 years and 20 visits to Florida to see a launch. You see the size of me below, I am not the kind of person that shows much emotion but it was a very emotional few minutes seeing that launch last August. The countdown the clapping the cheering. What an experience.
With seeing a launch and standing 1cm from the edge of the Grand Canyon last Oct I fulfilled 2 of my ambitions.

[wendywhite]

OMG Wayne, we don't have that length of time, the shuttle retires in 2 years!! lol! Well done you. You have all inspired me to just go for any launch, clearly we cannot afford to be choosy. I honestly believed that we were the only daft Brits to have gone to Florida with the sole intention of watching a launch (and obviously loving the weather and the shopping whilst we are there!), but clearly I was wrong.
Thanks for all the info everyone, off to check flights for November. :grin:

[Helmsdeep]

I am hoping March launch is delayed but doubt it will be delayed long enough, we don't fly out until the 22nd.



And I'm hoping strongly that it isn't delayed as we plan to see it launch on the 11th. Fingers crossed everything stays as planned.

[wendywhite]

Fingers crossed for you, would love to see your pictures. :grin:

[Camper Dude]

Just got back this morning :cry: How depressed??
We saw the shuttle launch on the 7th (day launch).
I also saw a night launch many moons ago and to be honest either will knock your socks off. Just make sure you are looking the right way. :d:

[Kryten59]

We've only seen a night time launch and it was incredible. I can't imagine that the effect of seeing the previously darkened surroundings illuminated by the shuttle taking off being the same with a day time launch...but I'd still like to experience a day time launch to compare it first hand!

I'd be happy to see either a day time or night time launch to be honest but given the choice it'd be night time...it's an amazing thing to see - virtually indescribable!

[Tigger2]

We saw a day launch in 2001, it was fantastic to be there and see it, I hadn't realised we had been so lucky to get to see one.

I would love to see one when we are there in March/April, but the launch on the 11th would have to be seriously delayed, as we don't arrive until the 29th of March :(

Linsey

[bbsock]

How far away can you see the launch from?
Thanks

[wayneg]

How far away can you see the launch from?
Thanks

I have heard people say they have seen them from the parks and our friends that live near Disney say they can see them from there back garden.
For me it was not just seeing the launch it was the atmosphere at Titusville, all the stalls selling things, hot dog stall it was just locally organised party atmosphere.