Getting up-close at Kennedy

[AlisonFromUK]

Does anyone know how long before a launch and how long after, you are allowed to get a ticket to see upclose the launch pad etc etc. I'm assuming for security and safety purposes, they wont let you go near it all near a launch. What are the time limits? There is a launch when we go in May I believe so dont want it to clash.

We'd go see the take off but we tried that last time and it was called off minutes before and we were gutted having seen next to nothing. Because of the launch we couldnt see the lauch pad and when it was cancelled, vowed we wouldn't chance it again as locals said it usually does get called off anyway!

If the shuttle does go up, what direction would we need to look in to see it go up? anyone know?

Can you see it fairly clearly from I-Drive and Disney or not?

[kiltedwarrior]

If the shuttle does go up, what direction would we need to look in to see it go up? anyone know?


I find the best way to look is upwards :hehe:
seriously though, if its a clear day you can see the path of the rocket/shuttle as it travels up toward space from pretty much anywhere (due east for Cape Canaveral). I was fortunate enough to see a launch back in 92 (Columbus) but i know viewing has changed quite a bit lately for security reasons so im not sure how it goes, hopefully someone will be able to answer more specifically :)

[AlecK]

Hi Alison,

Don't know the answer to the first bit but I watched STS104 lift off Oct '02 from the back garden of the Hotel Royal Plaza On hotel Plaza boulevard near DTD. We stood with our back to the hotel looking out over the main road. The shuttle and huge plume of exhaust could be seen fairly clearly in the early morning sun (06.30 am ).

Allthough not as good as a close up view it was a nice start too the day and there's not the inconvenience if it's cancelled.

Alec

[AlisonFromUK]

is a case of the locals gather anyway so you hear where to stand and which direction to look? Or is it taken for granted now. Imagine taking that for granted though eh? its amazing!

I'll have to ask in the hotel if its definately going up and when

[uscwest]

I'm assuming you aren't talking about a Space Shuttle Launch. The next one of those isn't scheduled until some time in 2005. There is a launch of a Boeing Delta 2 with National Reconnaissance Office's GeoLITE from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. 12:20 to 2:35 p.m. EDT (16:20 to 18:35 GMT) scheduled on May 17 if that is what you are interested in.

[AlecK]

is a case of the locals gather anyway so you hear where to stand and which direction to look? Or is it taken for granted now. Imagine taking that for granted though eh? its amazing!




Six of us were in the back garden and we only had a rough idea of where to look ,then the Coke delivery guy pulled up and said "you guys shuttle hunting " and showed us spot on where to look. we heard the countdown on his truck radio and sure enough right between the trees he had us looking at up it went - amazing. A little local knowledge works wonders.

Alec

[american idol]

With respect to the timing of shuttle launches, i believe that they do not notify the public of the precise date or time until the last minute (for security reasons)so it could be difficult to tell when it is going to happen. As USCWest said the next planned mission isn't until March 2005 due to the investigation into the shuttle accident in 2003

[loocpoc]

Go to the beach in Cocoa Beach which is directly South Of Cape Canaveral AFS/NASA Space Center and you will get one of the best unobstructed views of the launch.

[ukwdwnut]

but it does get very packed there ive heard, so get there early

[Keith]

Hi there,

ok... two main types of launch. Shuttle and "other" ;-)

Shuttle launches close the second part of the tour.. to the launch pads and so on, all day on every day it's supposed to launch. You get to see (as you found out) relatively little on those days. They do give out the window for the launch and that gets more precise as the day goes on. Security is tight enough the day of the launch.

Other launches, such as rockets don't tend to make for major closures but they can mean you have to return from the second part of the bus tour early.

The full schedule is on http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Having been a few times now... some when the shuttle was supposed to launch but didnt, some when it wasnt supposed to launch but did (due to delays), and some on rocket days, I'd say the best day was when there was NO launch of any description going on.

The shuttle is amazing to watch even from as far away as Disney but many of the local enthusiasts consider the best place to watch is Titusville. Directions to which are on the excellent FAQ web page http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/guide.txt

www.gatortours.com really are knowledgeable about KSC and will advise on when is best to go.

Rockets aren't worth travelling anywhere far for (in my humble opinion).

Enjoy!

[Pluto-Paul]

We were at Kennedy about 10 days ago, We haven`t been before. So it was a great experience. DS who is nearly 12 loved it, DD who is nearly 9 found it a little boring.
There is a tour which you can take to the Launch Pad and the Runway close up. This is seperate to the other tour of Apolo and the Viewing gantry. It runs from 10am to 2pm i think daily. I don`t know how much it is extra to pay, If anything. Or can you prebook this tour, But we missed it.
But the wildlife around Kennedy is a must see.

[Slowhand]

Dunno about a Space Shuttle launch, but I do remember a few years ago when we were staying at OKW we heard a couple of huge bangs in the early hours of the morning, around 4/5am if I recall.
I switched on the tv and watched the Orbitor land a few minutes later, flanked by a couple of USAF fighter jets.
I believe this was the first landing during the hours of darkness and it was an awesome site.
The night image cameras showed the "hot spots" on the fuselage and all of the gasses being vented out of the craft, truly amazing.