Definitive Position For Shuttle Launches

[Bats]

I've been scouring the Dibb pages this morning ofr advice on where to watch a launch from. To say I'm confused now is an understatement :confused2. It's not helped by our potential launch being a night one (1.30am 8th October)

If you're lucky enough to have seen a launch from close by (ie, not parks or hotels/villas), please could you give us some top tips.

So far, I have read that:
1. Titusville is a good place. Can you see the launch pad from there (would they light it up maybe)?
2. On the Highway is another suggestion ... do you just pull over or are their designated places to safely stop and get out?
3. From inside KSC itself. With ATD, tickets are £54 each and that gets you closer than anywhere else but you cannot see the launch pad, only the launch after it clears the tree line. For £54, should I expect to see everything (and be on it perhaps)!!! ;)
4. I've read somewhere else about an island which you can go to .. any ideas?
5. If it's an hour from Disney, would being there 3 hours before launch be enough or do we need more time?
6. Please help!! There are 13 of us and for 11 of them, it's their last day in Orlando so we've got to get this right.

I'm praying they don't cancel it!! Thanks for the help .. :wavey::thumbs-up

[Flightman]

I Found this:


LAUNCH VIEWING

The NASA causeway is the closest and best public viewing site (as close as 6.5 miles) for Space Shuttle launches; tickets are required and they sell out fast. Titusville is the second best viewing area (12 miles), and is the closest off-site location. An option that is between the two in terms of distance, but with no direct view of the launch pad, is the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (7.4 miles).

If you cannot obtain tickets to the NASA causeway, then your main thought process going into where to view the launch from should include whether you want a clear view of the launch pad (Titusville) versus not having a clear view but being able to hear the sound more (KSC Visitors Complex). If it is a night launch, Titusville also offers the advantage of having a large body of water which will greatly reflect the light given off by the shuttle (see sample photos at the bottom of this page).

Directions to all viewing sites, which are first described below, are located at the bottom of this page. Also provided are links to photos taken from most of the viewing areas described.


Here:

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

Good luck! It's an incredible, and to me emotional experience. :thumbs-up

[loadsapixiedust]

You are not going to get close I'm afraid. The official viewing area is still over 6 miles from the launch pad.

We've watched from Titusville and had a great view including seeing the orbiter leave the launch pad, I'd imagine it would be brilliant at night as you are looking over the water there are no lights in your sight to distract the eye. Another advantage being that you can pick a spot with some facilities (food, loos) nearby as you will probably be there for some time.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

If you are lucky enough to see a night launch and can make the journey over I would certainly do it. The day launches are a great thing but there is just something about a night launch. They are amazing and the sky is nearly looks like daytime because it is so bright. The sound is usually greater as well because the surroundings are more still (if that makes sense).

Many Dibbers have read that I have a favorite spot in Titusville that I always go to. It is easy to get in and out of and there isn't a cost involved. It is about 1 hour from Orlando. I've posted on several threads so I'm just assuming you've read it.

I've also posted pictures from both Titusville and the view from my home (3 miles from Universal) to give some idea of what you can expect.

I always say to go and expect to be disappointed because the chances are great that the launch will be delayed or scrubbed. If it does launch you will be overjoyed with the experience and it will be a lasting memory.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

[Bats]

What a fabulous website .. I must have looked at them all apart from that one! :grin:

I knew we couldn't get closer than about 7 miles so the causeway is looking favourite for closeness if we can secure tickets. If not or if toilets/facilities are more important to the others, we'll be taking a short trip to Titusville.

Thanks for the help. I'll print this all off and see what people think.
Cheers :thumbs-up

[Bats]

Many Dibbers have read that I have a favorite spot in Titusville that I always go to. It is easy to get in and out of and there isn't a cost involved. It is about 1 hour from Orlando. I've posted on several threads so I'm just assuming you've read it.

I've also posted pictures from both Titusville and the view from my home (3 miles from Universal) to give some idea of what you can expect.

Thanks for this .. I haven't read your posts about it but I will do a search on them now and get no work done this afternoon!! A favourite spot in Titusville sounds cool .. I'll be looking for that. Will you be going to the one in Oct?
I'm off to find your posts now! :confused2

[kieron white]

If you drive to the space centre, about a mile before you get to the main town there is a lake, it will be full of americans as this is a really good place to watch and its free

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Take a look at these:

Shuttle Launch Thread

Thread (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=160641&highlight=space+shuttle) with photos that I took from my favorite spot

Thread (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2328562&highlight=shuttle+launch#post2328562) with pictures from my house

We always try to go if we can. My DH is from the UK and we've only lived here for 2-1/2 years (I grew up here though) so it is always exciting to go if we can. A night launch can't be beat!

If we do get to go I'll certainly be at my Titusville spot.

[Bats]

Thanks Kieron .. any names of places? :confused2

FLGirl .. photos are great. Tough choice to make now for us all.

Thanks for the help everyone. :d:

[scobie15]

I thought the launch was at 1.30 but someone recently posted a linkand it is now 8.30 am-dont know if this changes things for you ?

[skinetty]

hi:wavey:
my dh and ds went to ksc last oct to see the launch, they thourally enjoyed it, they had dinner with an astronought were able to wander around then just go to the viewing area a little while before the launch.
dh says the atmosphere was great and although you get the actual launch on a big screen the countdown n stuff are on loud speakers..
then you can see the shuttle as it rises above the tree line,:d:

[luvaduck]

We watched from the KSC on the launch day. There is an area were they have a large screen showing the lift off but we watched from the grass by the astronauts memorial. Here's a tip, if you watch from this area then stand at the bottom area of the grass slope and face the corner where there is a gap in the trees with the KSC behind you. That way you see more of the launch. We were halfway up the grass and when the lift off was announced we saw the flames behind the trees then everybody ran to the bottom of the grass to get a better view. Even though you are 6 miles away the view is impressive and seeing the shittle go up is out of this world.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=219327

Have a look at our trippie for more info about the KSC.

[caleyman]

I am also hoping to see this on the 8th oct as i arrive on the 1st, i was looking forward to the night launch at 1.30am but i am sure that i have read somewhere on the dibb that the launch time has changed to 8.30am on the 8th

[luvaduck]

I don't think a time has been arranged as nothing on the NASA website.

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

[Darren & Lin]

We watched the launch of Discovery on 31st May this year. We had planned initially to go to Titusville and watch from the space park but as ours was an afternoon launch we were concious of the kids boredom prior to launch and the possibility of a launch delay, so we ended up going to Cocoa Beach for a pre lift off swim! We were approx 12 miles away I believe but it was still a spectacular, and quite moving sight. We visited KSC a couple of days after and had lunch with an astronaut but on the drive there I thought that if I ever got the chance again I would just drive as close as I can to the entrance of KSC and park up on the side of the road. There is a lot of open water before you get to the entrance so the view should be good. Another possibility would be travelling along Highway 1 until you find a good vantage point. Have a great time!

You may have visited KSC's own site but heres a link to the launch schedule.

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/launchDetails.asp?calendarId=374

[Kryten59]

night time launches are awesome - we watched Endeavour launch from KSC itself and got the tickets through a rep at the hotel...they were through Gator Tours. The coach picked us up at the hotel and dropped us back there - there's no way I'd have driven, it took hours just to get off KSC itself as it was that busy...but it was worth it.

There's only 10 shuttle launches left before they retire the fleet so get to see them while you can!!!

[FLGirl-UKNow]

there's no way I'd have driven, it took hours just to get off KSC itself as it was that busy...but it was worth it.


That is the biggest drawback of buying tickets. If you aren't comfortable driving over it is just best for convenience sake. When we leave the Titusville marina I'm home within a hour. I've done both ways and they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

[MikeH23]

Have just looked at this site http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html and it shows the oct 8th launch at 1:34 AM :omg:

[tazman]

We went to see a Shuttle launch on 2nd June 98 (day after we got married). We paid for 3 adults to see the launch from inside KSC. Cant remember the exact amount we paid.

We sat on a bank overlooking a big lake/river/sea thingy. We could see the VAB Building and the launch site, but that was so way off (6 miles) it was very little.

When it went up, you could see it well before you heard it.

YOU MUST DO IT. It was an experience and a half. glad we done it. even my wife thought it was excellent.

Gary

[BPCooper]

I am the author of the launch guide. I found this site through a link. I am very used to fielding questions on the disboards.com site, so I thought I would register here too.

If anyone has any questions, please ask I will try to help.

The 8:30am time was the launch time when this launch (STS-125) was originally slated for August 28. Now it is a night launch. I highly recommend for night launches to be on the water. The causeway is unquestionably the best place, but Titusville is second at night. I would skip the visitors center viewing for a night launch, in otherwords.

In regards to six (more like seven) miles sounding like "far away," you have to realize the tremendous size and power of the shuttle. It is not far away. You are talking a rocket as tall as an 18-story building, riding upwards on some 7.5 million pounds of thrust. That viewing spot on the causeway is the absolute closest the public can get.

And no one at all gets closer than three miles (from which is is a tremendous experience that shakes your body).

From Titusville, at 12 miles, how loud it is can vary with weather and ambient conditions from a good rumble to a distant roar.

I also want to point out that kennedyspacecenter dot com is not a NASA website and frequently has wrong times and out of date launch dates. The best site for keeping track of when launches are here is SpaceflightNow dot com/tracking (I am a new member and cannot add a link). The NASA schedule linked above is good, as well, but it only lists NASA launches like the shuttle and omits most of the unmanned rocket launches.

[Flightman]

Great info BPCooper, and welcome to the Dibb! :wave:

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Welcome BPCooper....I may get in touch if I see something I can't answer. Hopefully you can take a look at this forum frequently. Launch threads are quite a common thing on this forum.

[Andre]

This thread brings back great memories of watching the Atlantis launch in... 1995, I think. I viewed from Titusville. We just drove along the waterside road and found a side road with a few houses at the waters edge and just parked near there. Very close to a McDonalds I seem to recall. We walked out to the jetty's edge and watched from there (the residents probably charge these days though!). I got a few nice pics on 35mm slide film, must dig them out and scan them sometime.

The thing that really got to me was the SOUND. About 30 seconds after you see the engines ignite, the sound waves hit you - bass first!

The other thing to remember is don't plan anything for at least three or four hours after the end of the launch window, the exiting traffic can be horrendous.

But don't let that put you off, this is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience if you're only in Florida on vacation - don't miss it.

Andre

[Bats]

Thanks BPCooper and welcome to the Dibb. I'm a member of DIS Boards too but the time difference is that I find it easier to get answers here! :grin:

I'm hoping to go onto the Causeway with my family but I have no idea when the tickets go on sale .. it doesn't say. You just have to check each day :( Do you have insider knowledge?!! ;)

If I can't get onto the Causeway, I'm going to Titusville and will hopefully meet up with FLGirl-UKNow.

[Bats]

Have just read this .. do you know if that's the whole causeway or just some of it?

Causeway passes from NASA are no longer available to the general public. However, if you know someone at NASA, you can be nominated by them. You will need to give the names of all the people attending the launch with you, your affiliation, and your mail address to your nominator.

If we can't get to the causeway, we'll got to Titusville but I thought I'd read that we could get onto the causeway. Lordy this is soooo confusing :confused2:erm:

[BPCooper]

I'm hoping to go onto the Causeway with my family but I have no idea when the tickets go on sale .. it doesn't say. You just have to check each day :( Do you have insider knowledge?!! ;)


There is a page on kennedyspacecenter dot com where you can sign up to receive info on when tickets go on sale. It will probably be in mid or maybe late August.

[BPCooper]

Tickets for the causeway for STS-125 will go on sale Monday, August 25 at 9:00am.

http://www.ksctickets.com/ltt.html

[BCKloon]

And will sell out within minutes so be quick