[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Shuttle launch (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/1/2010 11:58:38 AM EDT
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Hi guys,
I am thinking of flying out for the shuttle launch this Sunday morning. Iv always wanted to see a launch, and since there are only a couple of launches left this might be my last chance to see the shuttle. Iv quickly assembled the basic info, right now launch is @ 4:39am EST on Super Bowl Sunday, Shuttle always takes off from Kennedy Space center, fly into Orlando and drive the hour or so to the launch, hope the launch goes off on time so I don't miss the super bowl. Here are my questions, if anyone has input I would really appreciate it. - Should I just stay in Orlando and drive to the launch and back, or are there lots of hotels around the Space center? - I am going to be on a super tight schedule, ill need to get back to MCO quickly. Should I expect traffic around the launch, do lots of people attend these things, if the launch actually goes off at 4:39 how long do you think it would take to get back to the Orlando Airport? - Should I buy viewing tickets from NASA to watch from the visitor center, or are there other options? -Anything else you guys think i should know. Thanks Casey Arizona |
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Quoted: Hi guys, I am thinking of flying out for the shuttle launch this Sunday morning. Iv always wanted to see a launch, and since there are only a couple of launches left this might be my last chance to see the shuttle. Iv quickly assembled the basic info, right now launch is @ 4:39am EST on Super Bowl Sunday, Shuttle always takes off from Kennedy Space center, fly into Orlando and drive the hour or so to the launch, hope the launch goes off on time so I don't miss the super bowl. Here are my questions, if anyone has input I would really appreciate it. - Should I just stay in Orlando and drive to the launch and back, or are there lots of hotels around the Space center? There are quite a few in Titusville and Cocoa Beach, with a few in Cocoa and Merritt Island. Check around as they might get real pricey or require a 2 night minimum. - I am going to be on a super tight schedule, ill need to get back to MCO quickly. Should I expect traffic around the launch, do lots of people attend these things, if the launch actually goes off at 4:39 how long do you think it would take to get back to the Orlando Airport? Sometimes the traffic can be a bitch, other times, not so much. Considering the hour, I wouldn't worry too much about traffic. IF it goes off on time (50/50 chance) and there aren't traffic issues on 528 (Beachline), maybe an hour. That applies whether you watch from T'ville or Cocoa Beach. - Should I buy viewing tickets from NASA to watch from the visitor center, or are there other options? Sure, if you want - just add in more time. I've been watching these things go up all my life. Titusville, along the Indian River just south of McDonald's or near the Clarion Inn is a great area to watch from. Second choice is along the beach in Cape Canaveral or Jetty Park. -Anything else you guys think i should know. Be prepared to be either A) absolutely amazed or B) disappointed due to a scrub. At least bring a good pair of binocs, just know that looking at that flame with glasses will fry your eyes. Thanks Casey Arizona |
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Hi guys, I am thinking of flying out for the shuttle launch this Sunday morning. Iv always wanted to see a launch, and since there are only a couple of launches left this might be my last chance to see the shuttle. Iv quickly assembled the basic info, right now launch is @ 4:39am EST on Super Bowl Sunday, Shuttle always takes off from Kennedy Space center, fly into Orlando and drive the hour or so to the launch, hope the launch goes off on time so I don't miss the super bowl. Here are my questions, if anyone has input I would really appreciate it. - Should I just stay in Orlando and drive to the launch and back, or are there lots of hotels around the Space center? There are quite a few in Titusville and Cocoa Beach, with a few in Cocoa and Merritt Island. Check around as they might get real pricey or require a 2 night minimum. - I am going to be on a super tight schedule, ill need to get back to MCO quickly. Should I expect traffic around the launch, do lots of people attend these things, if the launch actually goes off at 4:39 how long do you think it would take to get back to the Orlando Airport? Sometimes the traffic can be a bitch, other times, not so much. Considering the hour, I wouldn't worry too much about traffic. IF it goes off on time (50/50 chance) and there aren't traffic issues on 528 (Beachline), maybe an hour. That applies whether you watch from T'ville or Cocoa Beach. - Should I buy viewing tickets from NASA to watch from the visitor center, or are there other options? Sure, if you want - just add in more time. I've been watching these things go up all my life. Titusville, along the Indian River just south of McDonald's or near the Clarion Inn is a great area to watch from. Second choice is along the beach in Cape Canaveral or Jetty Park. -Anything else you guys think i should know. Be prepared to be either A) absolutely amazed or B) disappointed due to a scrub. At least bring a good pair of binocs, just know that looking at that flame with glasses will fry your eyes. Thanks Casey Arizona Thank you very much, now that iv been reading a little more on this website I'm thinking that watching from Titusville is my best best, sounds like it will be the quickest way in and out without dumping money on space center tickets won't have time to use. Also, i might move my flight back so I get to MCO late Saturday, just rent a car and drive right out to Titusville and claim my spot so I don't waste anytime sleeping, hang out at the car for a couple hours and before I know it 4:39AM. 50/50 is decent odds, how many launches are scrubbed because of weather? I can keep an eye on that and maybe ill stay home if the forecast on Sunday morning looks like rain or winds. |
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Quoted: Yes, if the weather is clear and you can see the eastern sky well enough. I've seen daylight launches from Jax.Not to hijack your thread but i have a question. I'm supposed to be camping in Ocala sunday morning. Would i be able to see it from there? If on time it will still be dark at 4:40am. |
| Hell you can see launches from up here in Jacksonville. It's just the closer you are to the launch site, well, you get the picture. This time of year they sometimes get scrubbed because of excessive cold....and we've had quite a bit this year. Colder than normal winter. Especially after we sent 7 of them up and burned 'em in January back in the 80's (I sure as hell remember details of that day and I was only in the fifth grade). Supposedly, they've fixed the problem that caused the accident. But having launches scrubbed is very common. I'd say 50/50 odds are probably a little optimistic. He's right about it though. Could be exciting, could be a big waste of time, money, and sleep. I've never seen one from Titusville before, I've just seen a ton of them from up here. Saw one a few months ago from my street in front of my house. |
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FYI: Hotels in the area will probably be expensive. Get as far away from Daytona as you can. The launch is the same "night" (yeah, I know... morning) as the NASCAR bud shootout in Daytona (the races before the 500). Hotels love to gouge for these things.
Sucks for me. I'll be in Daytona from Thursday until Sat night after the race and then I drive home. I might just sleep a little at the track and try to make it to titusv. around 3am or so... but I've seen probably 25+ launches so we'll see. Traffic will probably be a bit of a bitch because it's one of the last few launches. Being in the middle of the night will help it though. The closer you get to the launch pad the better the view. If you have time and can get passes, do so. At night time the flame will be super bright (sometimes even hard to look at) if you're anywhere near KSC. Also, I can see it launch from the beaches on the west coast (St. Pete) of FL, so you'll be able to see it from most places in FL it just gets better the closer you get. |
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FYI: Hotels in the area will probably be expensive. Get as far away from Daytona as you can. The launch is the same "night" (yeah, I know... morning) as the NASCAR bud shootout in Daytona (the races before the 500). Hotels love to gouge for these things. Sucks for me. I'll be in Daytona from Thursday until Sat night after the race and then I drive home. I might just sleep a little at the track and try to make it to titusv. around 3am or so... but I've seen probably 25+ launches so we'll see. Traffic will probably be a bit of a bitch because it's one of the last few launches. Being in the middle of the night will help it though. The closer you get to the launch pad the better the view. If you have time and can get passes, do so. At night time the flame will be super bright (sometimes even hard to look at) if you're anywhere near KSC. Also, I can see it launch from the beaches on the west coast (St. Pete) of FL, so you'll be able to see it from most places in FL it just gets better the closer you get. Shit, I forgot all about the race in Daytona, that could screw up my plans to get out there on a flight and back. Thanks for reminding me. |
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Yes, if the weather is clear and you can see the eastern sky well enough. I've seen daylight launches from Jax.
Not to hijack your thread but i have a question. I'm supposed to be camping in Ocala sunday morning. Would i be able to see it from there? If on time it will still be dark at 4:40am. I have watched 3 launches on clear days from Naples. Just have to know where to look - it's a bit small 
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The last one I went to was a July 4 launch. We took I-95 to Cheney Hwy (50?), then east until it hits US 1. From that intersection and north on US 1 there is a lot of parking. Take a lawn chair. It's directly across the river from the launch pad.
When leaving, go back west on Cheny and get to I-95. Getting stuck in north bound traffic on US 1 can be a nightmare. I thought KSC was closed on launch days, or tickets had to be reserved well in advance - something was strange that prevented us from going over to the island that day. Maybe it's changed since then. You may hit it just right. Everyone will be headed out of Orlando towards Daytona and you will be going back the opposite way after the launch. |
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Tickets for causeway are all gone. Tickets for KSC are gone as well. You can check the Astronaut Hall of Fame. They are advertising tickets still but I doubt they still have any. Number is (866) 737-5235 Gray Line might still have tour tickets, but those usually leave from Orlando and are about twice as expensive as LTT (causeway tickets) http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/shuttlelaunch.go Best way is to call Gray Line at 1-800-537-0917 |
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If it's that early in the morning you might as well just head to the Space Center after dinner Saturday night and just sleep in the car, if you can make it close enough. Last time I was down there for a launch it took a couple of hours to get even a mile or so away. That whole area gets PACKED with cars. |
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My wife & I were talking about the launch this morning and because it's the last night launch (I think), the crowds may be pretty heavy. As such, traffic returning to Orlando may be very heavy. Allow yourself plenty of time to return to MCO. Worst case, plan on 3 hours. Also, when you rent the car, seriously consider getting a Sun Pass or E-Pass for the toll you'll have to go through. Could save you quite a bit of time. Here's the way I would go. |
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My wife & I were talking about the launch this morning and because it's the last night launch (I think), the crowds may be pretty heavy. As such, traffic returning to Orlando may be very heavy. Allow yourself plenty of time to return to MCO. Worst case, plan on 3 hours. Also, when you rent the car, seriously consider getting a Sun Pass or E-Pass for the toll you'll have to go through. Could save you quite a bit of time. Here's the way I would go. Toll roads!!!! I hate those things, I don't even know how they work. |
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There's only one toll you'll have to go through - it's $1.50. It's about 5 miles east of the airport. Thing is, if you have the E-Pass, you just stay on the gas, going through the "toll" reader @ 70, while everyone else has to wait in line to give some 'eager' toll booth attendant your 6 quarters. In heavy traffic, it could save you 5-15 minutes. |
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Quoted: There's only one toll you'll have to go through - it's $1.50. It's about 5 miles east of the airport. Thing is, if you have the E-Pass, you just stay on the gas, going through the "toll" reader @ 70, while everyone else has to wait in line to give some 'eager' toll booth attendant your 6 quarters. In heavy traffic, it could save you 5-15 minutes. Good tip, thank you! How does it work to get the e-pass, do you just rent it from the car rental place? |
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There's only one toll you'll have to go through - it's $1.50. It's about 5 miles east of the airport. Thing is, if you have the E-Pass, you just stay on the gas, going through the "toll" reader @ 70, while everyone else has to wait in line to give some 'eager' toll booth attendant your 6 quarters. In heavy traffic, it could save you 5-15 minutes. Thanks, ill be sure to do that since I am in a hurry. This is the plan right now -leave PHX at 4pm, get to MCO at 10pm. -rent a car and drive to Titusville -hopefully hit up a bar for a bit, and then chill in the car until 4am -Pray the launch happens -try to be back in the car on my way to the airport by 5am -return the car, get on the 7:10am flight back to phx How crazy am I 
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Does NASA have a web site to get updates Yep, updated this AM. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Officials meeting at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida reviewed space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight at the L-2 prelaunch meeting. They unanimously decided to move forward with the STS-130 mission countdown to launch on Sunday at 4:39 a.m. EST. Mike Moses, shuttle launch integration manager, said, "We're really looking forward to this launch carrying up node 3 and the cupola. "From the shuttle program perspective, looking at our launch readiness, we're in really good shape. We had a fantastic review this morning," continued Moses, "Unanimous poll, everyone's pressing forward to go for launch." Bernardo Patti, ESA's International Space Station program manager, said how happy and proud he is to see the last two European elements ready for the space station. He also commented on the great support and cooperation between the space agencies and how rewarding the process has been. Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, reported his team is not tracking any technical issues and everything is on track for the rotating service structure rollback at 8 a.m. Saturday and loading of the external fuel tank with propellants around 7:15 p.m. "The team is energized and excited about the countdown... looking forward to getting Endeavour off the ground Sunday morning," said Leinbach. Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer, said the forecast has improved and there's only a 20 percent chance weather would be an issue at launch time. Although it may be a little chilly and breezy, no constraints should be violated. The forecast at the transoceanic abort landing sites in Spain and France also looks favorable. Saturday at 7 p.m., NASA TV will air the fueling of Endeavour's external tank at www.nasa.gov/ntv. At 11:30 p.m., live launch coverage will kick off on NASA TV. You also can follow Endeavour's exciting countdown to launch with NASA's Launch Blog from inside Kennedy's Firing Room 3 beginning at 11:30 p.m. and continuing through main engine cutoff –– when Endeavour reaches orbit on its two-day race to the station. |
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Quoted: Quoted: There's only one toll you'll have to go through - it's $1.50. It's about 5 miles east of the airport. Thing is, if you have the E-Pass, you just stay on the gas, going through the "toll" reader @ 70, while everyone else has to wait in line to give some 'eager' toll booth attendant your 6 quarters. In heavy traffic, it could save you 5-15 minutes. Thanks, ill be sure to do that since I am in a hurry. This is the plan right now -leave PHX at 4pm, get to MCO at 10pm. -rent a car and drive to Titusville -hopefully hit up a bar for a bit, and then chill in the car until 4am -Pray the launch happens -try to be back in the car on my way to the airport by 5am -return the car, get on the 7:10am flight back to phx How crazy am I When you arrange to rent the car, tell them you want the e-pass or sun pass or whatever they call it. Are you locked in to traveling via US Air? If so, are you locked on that flight? The reason I ask is you are cutting it super close, assuming traffic returning to Orlando is light enough you don't get delayed, you still have to return the car, go through security, etc. Likewise, assume there is an accident and traffic stops for an hour (I've seen it happen to the point traffic was stopped for 10-12 miles) - how screwed will you be? Point is, have a Plan B. |
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There's only one toll you'll have to go through - it's $1.50. It's about 5 miles east of the airport. Thing is, if you have the E-Pass, you just stay on the gas, going through the "toll" reader @ 70, while everyone else has to wait in line to give some 'eager' toll booth attendant your 6 quarters. In heavy traffic, it could save you 5-15 minutes. Thanks, ill be sure to do that since I am in a hurry. This is the plan right now -leave PHX at 4pm, get to MCO at 10pm. -rent a car and drive to Titusville -hopefully hit up a bar for a bit, and then chill in the car until 4am -Pray the launch happens -try to be back in the car on my way to the airport by 5am -return the car, get on the 7:10am flight back to phx How crazy am I
When you arrange to rent the car, tell them you want the e-pass or sun pass or whatever they call it. Are you locked in to traveling via US Air? If so, are you locked on that flight? The reason I ask is you are cutting it super close, assuming traffic returning to Orlando is light enough you don't get delayed, you still have to return the car, go through security, etc. Likewise, assume there is an accident and traffic stops for an hour (I've seen it happen to the point traffic was stopped for 10-12 miles) - how screwed will you be? Point is, have a Plan B. Thanks, im an analyst for US Airways, so this trip is working out to be free as long as I can get that 7am flight. If I get delayed on my way back i do have backup plans -wait until 8ish and take a flight back to Las Vegas from Orlando, then try to get back to PHX on a Sunday in Vegas, which isn't easy, I can always drive though. -If traffic is looking really bad, drive to Melbourne (which looks to be a quicker trip than getting back to Orlando), hop on a 7am flight to ATL and connect to Phoenix on US. All my other options mean ill probably miss the super bowl, not acceptable. |
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Sounds good. I hope it goes as well. Several things to know - the sound will take a bit to reach you. When it does, it's the most awesome sound, like nothing you've ever heard. The deep bass sound ripples through you, then seems to hang in the air for a long time. When I used to work at KSC, I've heard the overhead wires vibrate from the harmonic vibrations from that sound. A couple of minutes into the flight, the solid boosters fall away, and at night you can see them twinkling in the black sky as they return to earth. BTW, my avatar is of a shuttle SRB splashing down about 160 miles offshore. I hope you have a safe trip and a memorable experience. |
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This is kind of a goofy video, but I've always liked the song. Rush did this after they came to KSC to watch the first shuttle launch in April, 1981. Lit up with anticipation We arrive at the launching site The sky is still dark, nearing dawn On the Florida coastline Circling choppers slash the night With roving searchlight beams This magic day when super-science Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams Floodlit in the hazy distance The star of this unearthly show Venting vapours, like the breath Of a sleeping white dragon Crackling speakers, voices tense Resume the final count All systems check, T minus nine As the sun and the drama start to mount The air is charged A humid, motionless mass The crowds and the cameras The cars full of spectators pass Excitement so thick you could cut it with a knife Technology...high, on the leading edge of life The earth beneath us starts to tremble With the spreading of a low black cloud A thunderous roar shakes the air Like the whole world exploding Scorching blast of golden fire As it slowly leaves the ground Tears away with a mighty force The air is shattered by the awesome sound Like a pillar of cloud The smoke lingers high in the air In fascination With the eyes of the world We stare... PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER(PAO) - Columbia is now reaching precise window in space for main engine cutoff Mark - 2 minutes, 40 seconds...Columbia now 39 nautical miles altitude, 42 nautical miles downrange... CAPSULE COMMUNICATOR (CAPCOM) - Columbia you're lookin' a little hot, and all your calls'll be a little early... PAO - Young and Crippen really moving out now velocity now reading sixty-two hundred feet per second CREW - What a view, what a view! CAPCOM - Glad you're enjoying it CREW - Jay, how does it all look? CAPCOM - Columbia, Houston, er, we have forty seconds still... left; configure LOS, you're looking good for an over the hill, we'll see you in Madrid. And we enjoyed the music Bob, thank ya. CREW - Ah, we enjoyed it, we just wanted to share something with ya |
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Quoted: Launch Target:Quoted: Yeah, went down from OP early this morning. Had a good view from Titsville... can't make it for Monday... hopefully there will be more. Many more.  That reminds me... Does anyone know when the last launch for the shuttle program is going to be? Sept. 16, 2010 Orbiter: Discovery Mission Number: STS-133 (134th [and final] space shuttle flight) Info from NASA site |
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Hey my Florida Hometown Forum friends! Well I just watched the Space Shuttle launch for the first time ever, it was incredible. I watched the Endeavor launch from the dock behind the New York New York Cafe in Titusville; it was much brighter and louder than I was expecting. Here's the video that I shot using my cheap little Kodak camera, no tripod, just resting on a pier piling, enjoy. ETA: The distance from my location on the pier to the launch is approx 12 miles. http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm4/BlackenedGrouperSammich/?action=view¤t=SPACESHUTTLEENDEAVORLAUNCH-8FEB1-1.flv |
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Hell you can see launches from up here in Jacksonville. It's just the closer you are to the launch site, well, you get the picture. This time of year they sometimes get scrubbed because of excessive cold....and we've had quite a bit this year. Colder than normal winter. Especially after we sent 7 of them up and burned 'em in January back in the 80's (I sure as hell remember details of that day and I was only in the fifth grade). Supposedly, they've fixed the problem that caused the accident. But having launches scrubbed is very common. I'd say 50/50 odds are probably a little optimistic. He's right about it though. Could be exciting, could be a big waste of time, money, and sleep. I've never seen one from Titusville before, I've just seen a ton of them from up here. Saw one a few months ago from my street in front of my house. I can see them from the other side of the state. No detail, but you can see the shuttle going up right over the treeline at the end of my street. It's pretty cool. |