Since NASA bases its launch decisions on the weather conditions you will be lucky to see the shuttle at all. Besides unless you have VIP access you'll see the launch from about 10 miles away because of the toxic fumes and other obvious risks.
Biggles<font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
You're talking to an expert shuttle launch watcher.
My wife and I have our fingers crossed that we get a shot at Causeway tickets in the lottery for the Nov 1 launch. That's 6 miles from the pad.
We tried for Causeway when we went in May, but the way they did the lottery was really crappy...enter a virtual waiting room, then randomly selected IPs were given a chance to purchase. If your IP is selected (mine was), you aren't done yet. You have to select which location you want (Causeway, Visitor's Center, Astronaut Hall of Fame). You aren't done yet; your tickets are not reserved until you complete the Captcha verification.
Needless to say, I still missed out. And what sucks is, the tickets and parking pass to get on base on launch day are fully transferrable, so you are fighting scalpers too.
$60 Causeway tickets were going for 200-300 dollars a piece on eBay and Craigslist.
We watched from HWY1 in Titusville which is about 12mi from the pad. It's a speck, sure, but you have a great view across the water, and there is something cool about the sound taking a full minute to reach you!
This time they had a registration window, and they'll randomly select from those registrants. A better system, I believe. Hopefully we'll get some tickets because we'd like to see one more shuttle go up.
Stingray, I Was much closer than 10 miles when we were there for our launch, We were right on the grounds at the visitors center, which is about 5 miles away, You do get a decent view, sure not the same view as from the VIP section out by the Apollo buildings, but still a nice view.
All I can say is the last thing you want to do when you are there, is watch the launch through the viewfinder of your camera. The launch is best experienced with your own eyes. A night launch is of course much more impressive as it lights up the sky.
The closest I've been to a shuttle was about a foot away, when Discovery's heat shield was being serviced on one of NASA's open-day tours. Quite a sight. When you are that close you aren't allowed to take pictures. They even taped my watch to my wrist. The cargo bay was open as well.
The first time we went, the observatory by the launch pads was closed for painting, so they took us right out to the pad instead, we didn't get to get out, and the shuttle wasn't there, but we were right up close and personal with the launch pad, and it was AMAZING!
If we go to the November launch, we're definitely going to tour the space center the day prior to the launch. In May we went a day or two after so the pad was vacant.
The first launch I saw, a night launch back in 01, we toured the center the day before so we got to see the stack on the pad from the 2 mile observation deck. That was impressive.
The problem is that when the shuttle is on the pad, and the stack is rotated closed, you can't see much of the shuttle, mostly just the tanks. It is still most impressive.
And remember with your admission to Kennedy you get 2 days entrance (if you get our ticket validated at the door on your way out the first day)
I've got no idea what my availability or financial status will be during that time. Unfortunately, I'm busy playing catch-up after moving out of my place. doh!
ShadowDancerWhen I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie."London, UK
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I'd like to be in Taiwan, or Hong Kong.. but I dont wanna learn cantonese, and I think I might not be good for anything in HK.. so Singapore it is.
We tried for Causeway when we went in May, but the way they did the lottery was really crappy...enter a virtual waiting room, then randomly selected IPs were given a chance to purchase. If your IP is selected (mine was), you aren't done yet. You have to select which location you want (Causeway, Visitor's Center, Astronaut Hall of Fame). You aren't done yet; your tickets are not reserved until you complete the Captcha verification.
Needless to say, I still missed out. And what sucks is, the tickets and parking pass to get on base on launch day are fully transferrable, so you are fighting scalpers too.
$60 Causeway tickets were going for 200-300 dollars a piece on eBay and Craigslist.
We watched from HWY1 in Titusville which is about 12mi from the pad. It's a speck, sure, but you have a great view across the water, and there is something cool about the sound taking a full minute to reach you!
This time they had a registration window, and they'll randomly select from those registrants. A better system, I believe. Hopefully we'll get some tickets because we'd like to see one more shuttle go up.
[url]http://picasaweb.google.com/mhochman/Launch#[/url]
The closest I've been to a shuttle was about a foot away, when Discovery's heat shield was being serviced on one of NASA's open-day tours. Quite a sight. When you are that close you aren't allowed to take pictures. They even taped my watch to my wrist. The cargo bay was open as well.
That's as close to Star Trek as it gets. :)
The first launch I saw, a night launch back in 01, we toured the center the day before so we got to see the stack on the pad from the 2 mile observation deck. That was impressive.
And remember with your admission to Kennedy you get 2 days entrance (if you get our ticket validated at the door on your way out the first day)
Please say "in pieces," because the alternative will require a trip to the shops for glue.
Dax, Unfortunately i'll still be running the cafe until november, the earliest i'll be in FLA this year is December, but Febuary is more likely
[IMG]http://bathtub-productions.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10262&g2_serialNumber=2[/IMG]
Worf