Author Topic: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)  (Read 124434 times)

Offline TJL

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #100 on: 11/06/2008 11:49 pm »
I've seen a couple of shuttle launches from the Clarion Inn (used to be the Holiday Inn) just south of SR 50.
Great unobstructed view of 39 A and VAB and not as crowded as Space View Park.

Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #101 on: 11/07/2008 01:24 am »
Does anyone have any night launches seen from Titusville pictures zoomed and not zoomed :)
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Offline Andrewwski

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #102 on: 11/07/2008 02:05 am »
I watched STS-118 (yes, that was a daytime launch) from a place called Paul's Smokehouse or Steakhouse or something on US1 in Titusville.  They only allowed as many people in as the parking lot would hold...which was quite a few, but kept it from being extremely crowded like the park.  Of course, being along the water, people from nearby walked there, but it still wasn't bad.

Their parking lot extends along the water, so there was a ton of water frontage and clear views to the pad.  The restaurant was convenient, as you could go in there to use the bathroom or get a drink.  Two people in my family spent most of the time before launch sitting at a table and meeting new people, while the other two of us sat along the water.  The air conditioning in the restaurant was quite nice on a 95+ degree day though.

They did charge $10 to park there for the day, but it was worth it.
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Offline mceddiemac

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #103 on: 11/07/2008 02:09 am »
Does anyone have any night launches seen from Titusville pictures zoomed and not zoomed :)

Ben Cooper's site is a great resource for this and has links of shots and videos from many locations and at varied times of the day.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Offline Ambassador

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #104 on: 11/08/2008 04:03 am »
Hmmm...I don't like the new 5 day cone on Hurricane Paloma.  They've got it possibly turning northward by midweek.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
« Last Edit: 11/08/2008 04:09 am by Ambassador »

Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #105 on: 11/08/2008 11:47 am »
It will break apart most likely before it reaches Florida. ;)
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Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #106 on: 11/09/2008 11:56 pm »
I saw it before but I can't find it. Can some one give an address for the spot in Titusville to watch the launch. I need it and I want to look at it in google Earth. :)
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Offline Andrewwski

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #107 on: 11/10/2008 12:11 am »
Anywhere along the water in Titusville will give you a direct view of the launch pads.
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Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #108 on: 11/10/2008 02:06 am »
Well I´m in Titusville now, and went to Merritt Island today and made a few photos of LC-39B and 39A...
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #109 on: 11/10/2008 02:07 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #110 on: 11/10/2008 02:09 am »
Final photo is me, I came to close, the nervous gard sent me away...
Jacques :-)

Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #111 on: 11/10/2008 02:26 am »

Is it possible to watch the launch from there. It looks unbelievably close.
If so what is the address.

Thanks :)
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Offline comethunter

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #112 on: 11/10/2008 02:26 am »
Well i hope that someone answers the question about the return viewing location of the SRB's?

 But also, how far is the LTT Causeway for viewing? how far from the shuttle on pad 39A? Also, How many people would you all "guess" are allowed to have the LTT tickets? Thanks All

Another spot to catch the recovery ships returning to CCAFS is at the Canaveral Lock west of the 401 bridge. Observation area is open 6am-9pm.  But as Jim said it's hard to determine exactly when they'll be coming through the port.

Depending on where you are on the causeway, it's about 6.5-7 miles from Pad A.  Somewhere I heard there's about 5000 people on the causeway to watch a launch.  That includes KSC employees, NASA guests, etc.  I'm not sure exactly how many are from LTT sales but I would guess about 2500.

I had a great experience with STS-107 (Columbia) booster return in 2003.  Of course, we didn't know at the time what would happen to Columbia two weeks later.  Unfortunately, my sister in law has the digitals so I can't attach.  We just happened to be riding through Port Canaveral 48 hrs after launch and saw the boosters in tow behind the "Freedom" ships.  I told my brother to continue driving on Mullet Road and this took us to the lock refered to above.  Once the ships arrive at the lock, they are docked and the boosters are attached to the sides of the ships to prevent damage as the lock is approx. 75' wide (this took 2 hours).  This also means your only about 13-15' as they go by.  Very impressive to see "loaded" stamped on each booster segment.  Hit and miss on the arrival time due to sea and retrieval conditions (usually 36-48 hours post launch).  On one launch last year, I went to the lock in the a.m. 2 days after launch and the lock folks said they had brought them in during the night.  Patience is the key here!  Good luck

Offline Ford Mustang

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #113 on: 11/10/2008 02:37 am »
Very nice photos, Jacq!!

astrobrian traveled to Florida for this launch, he's hanging out with Larry (lsullivan411).  They went to Playalinda Beach today, and have some absolutely great photography of Endeavour.

First image is Endeavour with the Blue Angels flying overhead, second is just Endeavour.  I was astonished by these.

Offline Andrewwski

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #114 on: 11/10/2008 02:39 am »

Is it possible to watch the launch from there. It looks unbelievably close.
If so what is the address.

Thanks :)

From the beach in front of the pads?  Nope.

Everyone that's down for this one, have fun!  Wish I was there too!  Especially since it's turning into snow here...  :(
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Offline jeff2space

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #115 on: 11/10/2008 02:41 am »
Is it possible to watch the launch from there. It looks unbelievably close.
If so what is the address.

Thanks :)

Not possible to watch a launch from here.  Roads to Playalinda Beach are closed three days before a scheduled launch and I also believe the day of landings.

Offline jackyg

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #116 on: 11/10/2008 06:09 pm »
I'm giong to Florida on friday the 14th.
I will land in Miami an hour after teh launch, so maybe I can see the launch at the plane.
I try to take som pictures if I can see it.

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #117 on: 11/10/2008 07:36 pm »
I'm giong to Florida on friday the 14th.
I will land in Miami an hour after teh launch, so maybe I can see the launch at the plane.
I try to take som pictures if I can see it.

Depends on where you're coming from and if the flight's on time. But good luck. :)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #118 on: 11/11/2008 02:48 am »
Photos taken today at KSC by me
Jacques :-)

Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #119 on: 11/11/2008 03:57 am »
Could someone use this picture of Titusville and circle or tell me where the best place to watch the launch would be.

Thanks :)

(Replaced IMG tags (stretched the screen) with an attachment - Ford)
« Last Edit: 11/11/2008 05:09 am by Ford Mustang »
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