From Kennedy Space Center
April 19th At 7:48 pm EDT

This will be Shuttle Endeavour's last flight
Launch window till May 2nd

There will only be one Space Shuttle launch in June
after which all the Shuttles will be dispatched to their respective museums.

Any FTers making the trip to see the launch
from the causeway or KSC?

How about a STS-134 Do?

I was going to go but a class that night kills my ability to attend. It's killing me by disabling my going. Argh. The last shuttle launch AND I had the time otherwise to attend.

Then again, they've changed launch times so much for so many prior attempts that I'm muted on even trying harder than a bit.

I always wanted to see a shuttle launch. I lived in Florida (MIA/FLL) back in the 1980;s, the 2 times I drove up to see the launch it was delayed and was a no go on that day. I wounder of all the shuttle launches how many actually left the day it was scheduled as related to people who go there from out of town to see the launch.

Drag! I didn't even know that. I thought they didn't retired the space shuttle? Why are going to another last space shuttle? Is NASA has already constructions brand new space shuttle? I wasn't aware of that. I don't have to mind about the space shuttle.

If they change the date of either this one or the June launch, we can probably meet up with some FT'ers in the area! We've actually tried about 5 times in the last 8 months or so to see a Shuttle launch and every time it's been postponed (but with the non-refundable tickets, and friends in the Orlando area, we go to Florida anyway). The one time it went on schedule was the time we DIDN'T try to go, as we had other plans in NYC. And we have other plans on the 19th in DC... which probably means STS-134 will go off as scheduled

Folks when I lived in Miami I use to go to most all of the shuttle launches. Most of the time I would drive up there wait all the time & drive back. Very long day but I can tell you more than worth it. I've seen at least 3 night launches. Nasa says when srb's ignite the light is equal to 3 suns. I can't start to describe it. It is the greatest & fastest air show there is. I only wish there was some way to work it out.

As some one else pointed out they do have a tendency to cxl. I've been at least twice to where the srb's started at the t-7sec & then had a cut off & launch scrubbed. Now folks that's a real downer. Long trip back to Miami.

Tell me about bummers! Two nights in an extremely overpriced, overhyped hotel in Cocoa Beach and a whole lot of trips to Altamonte Springs... I should send NASA a bill!

Sorry to be nitpicky, but the SRBs ignite at T=0 and cannot be extinguished (point of no return). It is the shuttle's main engines that start at T-7sec.

I stand corrected. That's actually what I meant to say Thanks.

One thing to watch out for if you do decide to go - the traffic will be absolutely brutal on the way back. I went to STS-133 and it took the bus 5 hours to get back to Orlando.

Have a great time if you do go, it does end up being a long day but it is a sight to behold.

At least with STS-133 you avoided a last minute launch scrub. I was watching it on NASATV via Internet and was wondering if they would launch and at the very end they did...

I hope there will be no launch scrub this time either. No mechanical bugs or weather problems.

The air fares from Europe to Florida are frigging unbelievable at this time of the year. Why are they so high I wonder. I had to pay lots more than I thought for a stupid transAtlantic flight. Continental was the cheapest so this is what I got.

I am now investigating hotels. My best bet is the airport and bidding on Priceline.

I will be going to the KSC Visitors complex with a tour company. They will provide transport from various pick up points in Orlando and back.

I will be dead jetlagged as I will just get in late in the night and off to KSC the same day. I figured I can sleep on the bus.

I believe traffic will be a mad house maybe even more than for STS-133 as this is the one before last launch ever.

Atlantis with STS-134 will fly in June and then no more.

It will be years until they can do human flight again from KSC. The old Soyuz will be the transport of choice to the ISS. Old fashioned but efficient.

Sigh. I really want to do this. Actually went down in Nov, when it got scrubbed - for a few months. Have to decide whether to risk it again - though doesn't look like 19th will work.

I'd love to go but I'll be traveling overseas on the 19th.

It's too bad because my employer generally has causeway car passes available at the last minute. Maybe if they scrub for a week or so I can try to make it.

FYI, launch is likely to move 10 days, but that will not even be finalized until 4/19:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sh...ain/index.html

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/...ress-conflict/



I am rescheduling my flights. Hotel rebookings will have to wait til after the 19th.

However April 29 looks solid unless hardware problems or weather glitches.

Atlantis is scheduled in June and hanging on to Congress funding so I don't think they would want to delay that very last flight or Atlantis might never get to fly again.