Florida - Shuttle Launch July 2011

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had advice for someone interested in seeing the final shuttle launch in july this year. How do you get to KSC? How do you book tickets? Is there any transport for someone who is 20 and cannot rent a car?

This thread has some information, and it has a link to an even older thread about shuttle launches.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/florida/1138483-best-place-view-shuttle-launch.html

If you cannot get the KSC because you cannot rent a car due to your age, I suggest trying the tour companies that will have limited space available.


http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/orlando.go?mode=activities&cd=&cat=Show%20All%20Tours&index=1&itemcount=7&

If you can manage to find a car, you may purchase your tickets from the KSC website when they become available. This site also has directions on getting to the center.

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

BE FOREWARNED!!!

Launch scrubs are very frequent either due to glitches with the shuttle or because our Florida weather will not cooperate (especially in the summer). I have been to the center 3 times for launches and was only able to see the shuttle launch once.

I did a last minute trip for a night launch and went with Gray line. That was a good idea, as leaving the Causeway was a traffic jam like i'd never seen before. Was nice to be able to sleep through it.

The day was brutal though. I brought a camera,, tripod, and blanket. The tour leaves Orlando in the morning. There isnt THAT much to do at the space center, and we have all day. In 90 degree heat. Lugging my crap around. And not much is both indoors and air conditioned. I ended up camped out in an auditorium where they were playing the film about the Orion project ona loop. I must have seen it 40 times, but at least it was air conditioned.

BE FOREWARNED!!!

Launch scrubs are very frequent either due to glitches with the shuttle or because our Florida weather will not cooperate (especially in the summer). I have been to the center 3 times for launches and was only able to see the shuttle launch once.

I'm very aware. It'd still be very awesome to see the last shuttle on the pad. Do you know of any tour companies that offer tours like this?

I'm driving from Miami to my parents' in Indian Harbour Beach :cool:

I'm very aware. It'd still be very awesome to see the last shuttle on the pad. Do you know of any tour companies that offer tours like this?

The powers that be at NASA cringe at the thought of the eyes of mere commoners like us falling on the shuttle. The shuttle is always moved out to the pad at night (after visiting hours for us serfs are over), lest we actually get to see it out in the open. As soon as the shuttle has reached the pad, the service structure is closed to prevent us from seeing it, as well as to protect it from the salt air that close to the Atlantic.

Yes I'm sarcastic, but I long for the good old days when NASA was a lot more friendly to the public.

The closest you can actually get to the shuttle is to take the NASA UP Close Tour available through the KSC Website. This tour cost extra on top of the regular admission, but they do take you onto the causeway where you can see the pads on the Air Force side far better than you can from the KSC side. They also drive you out to the camera stand between Pads 39A and 39B where you can get a good look at the external tank and the boosters. The tour also stops near the Vehicle Assembly Building, and takes you out to the landing strip where you can look at it, but not get out of the bus.. You can do that tour up until a few days before the launch goes up.

You can register, for the opportunity to purchase tickets, beginning tomorrow. This link has more information. This will be a very popular launch to witness. Good luck.

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/buy-tickets.aspx

Yes I'm sarcastic, but I long for the good old days when NASA was a lot more friendly to the public.

LOL I'll make your day with a story from the Old Days. One of the most fun friendly things NASA has ever done for me. ^

In I think 1976, that is post Apollo and pre Shuttle, the Vehicle Assembly Building was just a big ole unused building with an uncertain future. For the Bicentiennial or something they had a Expo type thing in a bunch of tents next to the VAB, which was wide open and part of the Expo. Folks could just wander in and out of the VAB on their own. ^

In a stupid move on the planners, in one tent they gave away helium filled balloons. I am not the only one there who immediately saw the possibilities. ;) I got my balloon and made haste to the VAB in an attempt to fly it to the crane at top. Sadly, my balloon got caught in a crosswind 2/3 the way up and caught in the rigging. Like the many many other previous VAB balloon flyers. Multi colored balloons in the rafters all the way up. :D

The absolute best site I have found it

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/

Nagivate to the forums (link at top of page). There is a separate forum for each of the shuttles. Within the Atlantis forum you will find a "going to launch" topic - great information in that thread and in previous "going to launch" threads on earlier Atlants missions as well as the Discovery and Endeavour missions.

We made two trips over two months and had 6 or 7 scrubs before seeing STS-127 launch in July 2009. We are in the lottery for causeway tickets for STS-135, along with a few hundred thousand others I suspect.

The UpClose Tour is awesome - we took it several years ago when there was a shuttle on the pad a few weeks prior to the launch. When they take you out by the ocean you get a really good view and it is just so quiet and peaceful out there.

The absolute best site I have found it
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/


I really like the site you listed. Thank you for posting. Wow, great photos in the articles!

It has on my bucket list for the last 25 year. So today I have booked a flight from AMS via Washington to Orlando on the 6th of july. Have a rented a car and will drive to the Cape to see it go....

I have a flight out of Orlando on the 11th.... hopefully it will go before then...

I would like to camp the night before somewhere!

I would like to camp the night before somewhere!

All hotels on the Space Coast are booked for the night before the launch. Camping space is non existent also. If you spend the night in Orlando and drive over early (like 2-3 AM) you may be able to find a parking space at one of the public parks in Cocoa Beach and then go out on the beach until the launch occurs. The closest point on the coast anyone can get is at Jetty Park. Here is more information:

http://www.portcanaveral.com/recreation/beaches.php

Good Luck!

All hotels on the Space Coast are booked for the night before the launch. Camping space is non existent also. If you spend the night in Orlando and drive over early (like 2-3 AM) you may be able to find a parking space at one of the public parks in Cocoa Beach and then go out on the beach until the launch occurs. The closest point on the coast anyone can get is at Jetty Park. Here is more information:

http://www.portcanaveral.com/recreation/beaches.php

Good Luck!

Thanks for the info. I arrive 12:15 am on the 7th so the idea is to find a cheap airport hotel somewhere and stay 2 nights and then drive am'ish the 8th to the beach and hang out there. Thanks for the tips! What else should I do before the I leave after the launch?

How long is the drive to the space coast from MCO? And is that the best place to see it? rgs Jochem

The launch is scheduled for 11:26 AM on the 8th. I do not recommend you get away from the Orlando area any later than 3:00 AM at the latest. If you do not have your hotel room yet, you can find one fast using Travelocity. I do not recommend trying to find one on the fly with the launch going up.

Traffic is predicted to be a nightmare, as this is the last manned launch we will see from KSC for some time. Under ideal conditions, the trip from MCO to Cocoa Beach takes less than an hour, but the conditions on July 8th may very well rival those normally seen during a hurricane evacuation (i.e. 5-10 MPH with frequent stops.

As for what you will need with you, I recommend sunblock, light weight light colored clothing (short sleeves and shorts), a hat, sunglasses, a cooler, snacks, and plenty of fluids. There are numerous Wal Marts, Walgreens, and other stores in the MCO area where you can get your supplies on the 7th. You can get ice to fill the cooler at these stores right before you head to the beach.

I'm going over next Saturday to get some updated pictures of the Air Force Station and KSC, as I'm taking the "Then and Now" tour. I'm also going to take in the "Sci-Fi" Summer exhibits that are currently at the visitor's center.

I will post an update after I get back.

I was at the last one, and two before it. They get scrubbed all the time; especially this time of year in Florida. Rainy season.

I went to Jetty Park, and wouldn't recommend it. There are better spots. The bridges are good, with an unobstructed view. Lots of viewing guides online. They're all a little lame with info, suggesting everyplace is good. Everyplace you'll see it, for sure...but not all are good.

It's amazing. Simply amazing. Indescribable. If you do make it, don't take pictures, don't video it...that all doesn't even come close. Just watch, as it's only a few seconds. A few seconds after takeoff, it's gone.

And make plans to surf cocoa, or WHATEVER as you wait for traffic afterwards.

I got lucky and got 6 tickets for the Causeway for this last launch - am really hoping it goes off within the 10 days I have allotted this time. Spent part of October out there waiting for a previous one. Anyone else going to be in the area?

I got lucky and got 6 tickets for the Causeway for this last launch - am really hoping it goes off within the 10 days I have allotted this time. Spent part of October out there waiting for a previous one. Anyone else going to be in the area?

I can certainly get to the launch........if any of your tickets are available for use.;)

I went over yesterday to check out the "The Sci-Fi Summer", which should actually be called "Star Trek Summer". Those who were fans of the shows, including yours truly, will enjoy the exhibit.

A few uniforms are on display in the Conference center, a recreation of the original Enterprise bridge (only the captain's chair is present), the arch from "City On The Edge Of Forever", and various costumes and props are on display in the IMAX Theatre building. Various items from "Next Generation", the highlight of which is the Scorpion Shuttle from "Nemisis", are on display in the multi purpose building just to the right of the corridor where you go to board the tour buses.

...am really hoping it goes off within the 10 days I have allotted this time.

Keep your fingers crossed. The forecast for Friday is calling for scattered thunderstorms with a 40% chance of rain, however our weather in this state is subject to change without notice.

The two launches I went over for which scrubbed (both weekend launches) had similar forecast, but were scrubbed because of clouds that moved in at the last minute. The one launch I attended that did go as scheduled was a Friday launch. Hopefully, this one will go on time as well.

Fingers crossed. Flying out tomorrow. Hopefully it will go!

Still not convinced where to go to to see the launch???
I have a car so I am flexible.

Fingers crossed. Flying out tomorrow. Hopefully it will go!

Still not convinced where to go to to see the launch???
I have a car so I am flexible.

Space view park in Titusville is good, better than the Jetty Park in my opinion.
Really anywhere along the Titusville riverfront will work.

Definitely bring fluids, sunscreen, ice and some kind of shade umbrella if possible. It gets ungodly hot out there waiting for the launch.

Thanks for the tips. Titusville it is. I will go midnightish to Titusville and park myself in the park with a bag full of stuff!

Any change on Thursday to see the Space Shuttle close by?

There is no chance to see the shuttle up close. There is a 1 mile restricted zone around the pad, and the design of the pad is such that the service structure keeps you from seeing the shuttle when it is open or when it is closed.

Here is the link to NASA's various webcams. That is the best 99.9999999% of us will ever see.

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/

Here is the link to the Flame Trench. It is one of the best sources of up to the minute launch news available.

http://space.flatoday.net/

Good luck, have a safe trip, and may the weather not scrub the launch.

Still not convinced where to go to to see the launch???
I have a car so I am flexible.

Today's Orlando Sentinel (printed edition) has maps for viewing and getting there. I can't find them on the on-line version, anything that is not Casey Anthony related is sparse.

They are also saying (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-shuttle-atlantis-launch-weather-20110706,0,4269194.story) that NASA is predicting a 70% chance of delay.

I've also heard that if they do not get the launch off this weekend, they will have to delay until July 16th because of a pending launch of a top secret payload from Pad 37 on the 14th.

Whatever is going up on the Delta 4 is so sensitive, they told us taking pictures of the pad were forbidden (unless you wanted to lose your camera) when I took the "Then and Now" tour on July 2nd.

Today's Orlando Sentinel (printed edition) has maps for viewing and getting there. I can't find them on the on-line version, anything that is not Casey Anthony related is sparse.

They are also saying (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-shuttle-atlantis-launch-weather-20110706,0,4269194.story) that NASA is predicting a 70% chance of delay.

Judging by this radar map tonight http://www.emergencyemail.org/weathergetwang1.asp?src=DS.p19r0/si.MLB&scr=1&ref=forecast a scrub sure looks likely.

Judging by this radar map tonight http://www.emergencyemail.org/weathergetwang1.asp?src=DS.p19r0/si.MLB&scr=1&ref=forecast a scrub sure looks likely.

They also had two lightning strikes near the pad today and are checking to make sure that didn't cause any problems.

This is the video of one lightning strike near the launch pad:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?collection_id=14554&media_id=100124021

But fueling is on schedule for ~ 2 am..........I hope everything is nominal for launch.......Go Baby Go!

I am in Titusville now and looking across the bay at the shuttle! T minus 7 hours & 2 min! GOD SPEED I HOPE! :)

Glad you made it and got to see the final shuttle.

I am in Titusville now and looking across the bay at the shuttle! T minus 7 hours & 2 min! GOD SPEED I HOPE!

I'm glad the launch went off OK and that you got to see it. How long did it take you to get from Orlando over to Titusville?

Have a great time here in Florida and a safe trip home.

It was great and worth the effort.

I left at 02am from Kissimmee and was on my spot at 03:30am. Way back I drove south and then via the swamp back to Kissimmee. Took me 2,5 hours.

Thanks for all the tips. Flying back today!