Shuttle Launch - September

[Sweeney_Todd]

The launch window for Space Shuttle Atlantis-STS 121 is now between 1st and 30th Sept.

We have already got our Maximum Access tickets and I have looked on the KSC (http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/) website with a view to perhaps exchanging them for the combined Launch Transportation Ticket and a Maximum Access Admission Badge (when available).

But, having ploughed through the website it raises an awful lot of ifs & buts and there is still no guarantee of seeing the launch.:(


Plan B is to view off-site, which brings me to my question...
Where is the best place off-site to view a shuttle launch & how long beforehand do you recommend getting there?:confused:

[LisaMouse]

Really? OMG i soooo hope it goes before the 8th Sept, it is my dream to see a launch and i was so gutted when i thought i would miss it by a day

fingers crossed!!

[Catherine]

We also would love to see this. On the NASA KSC web site its window is 9th - 24th September.

[loadsapixiedust]

We had a great view from Titusville, but beware of the traffic on the approaches to KSC on launch days and allow plenty of time. We arrived a good 2-3 hours before the scheduled launch time and were pretty lucky to get a good spot. People take their RVs and camp out overnight to secure their spot. The atmosphere was superb with the countdown blasting out on all the car radios.

[Sweeney_Todd]

Originally posted by Catherine
We also would love to see this. On the NASA KSC web site its window is 9th - 24th September.
Yeah, funny that!
On the NASA/KSC site (http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html) it gives the window as 9th - 24th BUT on the KSC Visitor site (http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/) it gives it as 1st - 30th.

The NASA site shows a last site update of 17th June. We also got a Launch Information email today from the KSC visitor site saying again it was 1st - 30th.



Loadsafairydust,
Thanks for that info.:wink

[tricky]

I've been on a launch day (that was cancelled due to a passing cloud!) and arrived at approx. 10:30am for a 19:00 launch and it was getting busy (although I don't know how busy it is normally).

By lunch-mid afternoon it was fairly full and getting around attractions on the coaches meant a bit of a wait.

We never got to see our launch as it left on the same day we flew home :(

Since this I have seen "tours" that take you out on a boat of the coast to watch from there and that sounds great to me. Given the chance I think I'd try see another launch if I was there, but would not goto KSC again (my opinion some will love it - we didn't - Although the IMAC movie rocked)

[Sweeney_Todd]

Originally posted by tricky
Although the IMAC movie rocked)

:D :D :D LOL!
I don't think a film about hair removal would really do it for me!



(sorry! - couldn't resist that one :D )

[Littlestar]

You need to leave in plenty of time. We decided at the last minute to go and see columbia's launch in january 2003 and left only 2 hours before its launch time. Even though it should take less than an hour to get there, there was so much traffic that we ended up watching the launch from the side of the road. We were waiting in a big queue when people just started to pull over on the highway so we did as well and a couple of minutes later columbia was launched, even though it was quite a way away we still had a great view and the atmosphere amongst the people watching was fantastic. :D :jump:

We were aiming to watch the launch at titusville which apparently is the best spot but can get very very crowded. Ive heard cocoa beach is also another great spot.

You should keep an eye on the news channels for a couple of days before if you decide to go because they will keep you updated on whats happening with the launch, if its cancelled etc. You should be willing to change your plans at the last minute.

I would definetely recommend going to see a launch. It is amazing it is something we will never forget (although, for us, the joy of seeing the launch is overshadowed by the tragic events that followed :()

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/photopost/data/500/5459colombia2-med.JPG

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/photopost/data/500/5459colombia1-med.JPG

[Catherine]

We are hoping we get to see it. Its hard to imagine that Columbia never came home, god rest their souls.

[dalymum]

we would love to see a launch - had a fantastic day at KSC last year - would recommend it to anyone
Deb