Where to see space shuttle launch?

wendyjj

Hi,

We're lucky enough to be in Florida when the next Space Shuttle goes up on 15th March at Cape Canaveral. I cannot find any information on where to see it from or if you buy tickets of some description. So has anyone been to a launch? and where did you see it from? Any advice would be appreciated.

Wendy

James_Bond

wendyjj wrote:

Hi,

We're lucky enough to be in Florida when the next Space Shuttle goes up on 15th March at Cape Canaveral. I cannot find any information on where to see it from or if you buy tickets of some description. So has anyone been to a launch? and where did you see it from? Any advice would be appreciated.

Wendy

Kennedy Space Center

The view you get is very far away from the actual event and isnt that *spectacular* TBH. There are loads of camera's and photographers so you end up behind them, which makes your view not so great.

I think it's free, but you are, like I say, about 3-4 miles away from the launch pad.

debsy42

I was in Florida last year (April) when they were preparing to launch the shuttle and we couldn't get anywhere near Cape Canaveral for security reasons, however the approach road to it is soooo long I'm sure you would be able to stop somewhere along there and get a good'ish view.

I missed a rocket launch the next time I went but saw the trail in the sky as clear as anything, was near Disney at the time so I'm sure you shouldn't miss out wherever you are.

movieman

I think it's free, but you are, like I say, about 3-4 miles away from the launch pad.

VIPs and Press are 3-4 miles from the launch pad, the Causeway viewing site is about 6-7 miles. Outside KSC you're 10+ miles away. In the early days there were some firefighters about a mile from the pad inside an armored personnel carrier, but no-one other than the astronauts is closer than 3 miles anymore.

I'm not sure how you get to view launches from the Causeway these days; in the 90s you had to write to NASA well in advance to get on the list and they sent out a few thousand passes to drive a car onto the base for the launch. I think you can get bus tickets at KSC a day or two before the launch now.

If you can't actually get into KSC you can probably find a place to see the launch in Titusville, or there's a place called Jetty Park where some friends watched a Delta launch from some years ago.

movieman

There's a lot of information here, though it's eighteen months old and some links don't work:

http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/guide.txt

It should at least point you in the right directions.

chipfire

Some of the above posts are a little negative if you ask me!!

I've seen 3 shuttle launches and been moved by all of them.

Lots of info here from NASA:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view/view_shuttle.html

eg:

Along the Indian River on U.S. Highway 1, especially in Titusville.


The Beach Line Expressway, also called State Road 528. The portions of the Beach Line crossing over the Indian River (the Bennett Causeway) and the Banana River are good vantage points.


Off State Road A1A along the Atlantic Ocean in Cocoa Beach.


Jetty Park (321) 783-7111 at Port Canaveral, on the Atlantic Ocean just south of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station border. Both Space Shuttle and expendable launch vehicle liftoffs can be viewed from here. The park is open all day year-round.
+ Park fees and information



Last time I drove to Port Canaveral. They close the road at the bridge and everyone parks on the roadside. Real party atmosphere. Hundreds of cars so get there early and be prepared for the inevitable traffic jam. You are about 6 miles away but its still a great show.

Treat it as a day trip to the beach anticipating a traffic jam getting to and from especially from Orlando.

Take plenty of cold drinks, sunscreen and food. Maybe a good book etc.
The chance for launch delays is also very real but just make it all the more great when it finally launches!

Take a handheld transistor radio for the countdown when outside the car.

I have also watched a launch from Cocoa Beach but all you really see is the smoke trail and glow of the engines.
Friends in Orlando saw the smoke trail, just.

It really is a terrific opportunity. My wife is no space fan but she was telling everyone about the shuttle launch she saw.

Where are you staying?

Ask if you need more info.

Chipfire

pavlovs_dog

just to add, be aware that the fact that its scheduled for that date by no means guarantess it will launch that day, so allow flexibility in your plans in case things dont go to schedule

angel

I've missed two because of them being cancelled literally at the last minute. It was a lot of hanging about for nothing. I won't bother again.

I did enjoy visiting the space centre beforehand though and seeing the shuttle being prepared on the launch pad.

chipfire

angel wrote:

I've missed two because of them being cancelled literally at the last minute. It was a lot of hanging about for nothing. I won't bother again.

then you'll never see a space shuttle launch!

movieman

I think I saw five launches and a landing, and they were only cancelled twice... though a few times they got delayed 2-3 days due to problems they didn't discover until late in the preparations. I've no idea how reliable they are these days.

But yes, either way I wouldn't recommend booking dates where the launch will be in the last few days of the trip just in case there's a short delay for weather or whatever.

moonrakerz

Drive along US1 to Port St John. Look for a CVS drug store on the landward side, park there, walk across the road and you have a perfect view across the Banana River of the launch pad