My guests and I would love to watch the shuttle launch July 13th. All tickets seem to be sold out.
Any suggestions as to where one should go to watch the launch, even if it will no be very close?
I have three guests from Europe who have never experienced such an event.
Thank you for all info you may provide.

You don't need to be very close to see the shuttle launch, just drive to about 30-50 miles from Kennedy Space Center and you will have a great view. Of course hotels will all be sold out for many miles around KSC. And... I highly doubt that it will launch on July 13th. This is the first launch in 2.5 years and any little thing will delay it... weather will also play a big part in the launch.

I'm not sure of the exact launch window, but here is the link: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/pre..._the_date.html

And the main Nasa link: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/index.html

I've seen a few launches, the most beautiful one was a dawn launch, and I saw it from the west side of Orlando!


It is worth seeing a launch, they are truly spectacular! :-:

Head toward Cocoa Beach just south of the Cape. There are areas all along the causeway. I keep going if I'm early 1 to 2 hours, and drive to the area where the cruise ships docks. The north area. I never had to walk too far, but the earlier the better. Pack a cooler, it's kind of carnival type setting waiting for the launch. The dock area launch sound delay is about 50 seconds. So it's close to 10 miles fron the actual launch pad, across mostly water. People all over will have the countdown on their radio, but it wouldn't hurt to carry a portable radio.
The other poster is right, don't bet any money on the launch date. I was over to see the "Deep impact" launch. ( the one that just hit the comet July 4th) Deep impacts liftoff was right one time, but much smaller that the 3 shuttle launches I've seen.

Completely agree with the above. Growing up in Florida I once saw a launch while on a ride at Disney World.

Cocoa Beach is a great place to view it from - unobstructed view north of the port into the Cape. Just south of the port is Ron Jon's Cape Caribe (a new resort). Stayed there last year to catch a satelite launch. Missed it though because we had the TV on the NASA channel. By the time we heard it it was almost in the clouds. Watch the local news or radio still can't believe NASA channel didnt inform us that the launch time was moved up (never heard of that happening before).

Cape Caribe www - http://www.ronjonresort.com/

NASA is meeting to talk about moving the shuttle back to the vehicle assembly building because of Hurricane Dennis. They will make the decision tomorrow since it takes 48 hrs to move it back. If it's moved, launch on July 13 will not happen.

Do you have a boat? If so go to SKI island. Its located right by the locks for that lead into Port Canevral. If you don't Go to Cocoa Beach.

A few moments ago the NASA website was stating 22:30:40 hours to launch So it would appear that it is still a go ^

I live in Titusville, FL, just north of Cape Canaveral. An excellent place to watch the launch is anywhere along the Indian River in Titusville. Take I-95 to exit 220 (old exit 80) and head east, then you can turn onto US1 after several miles. There are a couple parks, including one right off of Garden Street (the road that you will turn onto after you get off the interstate), although they're building 3 huge condos on the river that will block the view. Get there WAY before the launch, good spots fill up quickly. You can see the launch from most places in Titusville, however, as I'm sure you can in Cape Canaveral. I used to watch them from my front porch and could see them fine.

That counter should have said 4 days xx:xx:xx hours to launch. The launch is not scheduled until Wed. 7/13/2005. Lets keep out fingers crossed that they can keep that schedule.

After driving all night from Atlanta to Daytona in the 80's for spring break we decided to continue on to watch the shuttle land. Unbeknownst to us because of bad weather they decided to land in California so during the 90 minutes it took us to get to Cape Kennedy the shuttle had already circled the earth and landed in California. I have never thought of road trips the same since.

It looks like it will depend on if there are any clouds during their 10 minute launch window. If so they say the have a 10 minute window every day. They want to be able to take loads of pictures, so now we can add clouds to the reasons to cancel.

Anybody that is going to the launch from the Orlando area. Leave extra time. The toll booths on the Bee Line usually back up. It was pretty bad on the off season, so during the summer it's bound to be worse! Have quarters handy also so you can use the exact change lanes if they are shorter. I made the trip across to see the last ill fated launch, and the toll booths were the worst delay of the trip.

Don't forget that cooler. It's slow going after the launch. Everybody takes off at once. So expect delay when trying to leave!

Good luck to all that head out!

Of course you all know tthat today's launch was scrubbed:

NASA has TBD as it's new launch date:

http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/shuttle/

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. We rented a boat, had a great time and as the launch was called off and the one for Saturday as well we flew back to Switzerland. We'll go again when we find out when the launch is scheduled.

Next attempt to launch: Tuesday, July 26 10:39 am.

Shuttle landing is set for 4:46am Monday 8/8/5. The twin sonic booms will wake me up a few minutes before that.

Good Luck Discovery!