Author Topic: STS-134 Endeavour: Viewing (Going to launch, landing etc.) (Read 587654 times)

rdale · « **Reply #220 on:** 03/15/2011 03:56 pm »

The "full" window however goes through May 2, so the typical US/Russian ballet could help the cause if it is pushed back into that timeframe. However Robert is right, plan on those first 4 days for good. And afternoons in mid-April might test our weather skills

rdale · « **Reply #221 on:** 03/15/2011 04:29 pm »

Clarification from L2 - followup in the hardware thread here if needed...

Apr 23 - 29 cut out due to 42P, window ends May 3 due to 25S. Actual beta cutout isn't until May 29.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24433.0

robertross · « **Reply #222 on:** 03/15/2011 04:38 pm »

Quote from: rdale on 03/15/2011 03:56 pm

The "full" window however goes through May 2, so the typical US/Russian ballet could help the cause if it is pushed back into that timeframe. However Robert is right, plan on those first 4 days for good. And afternoons in mid-April might test our weather skills

Better than June/July/August, that's for sure!

(which is why I will avoid seeing STS-135 in person by 100%)

Sarah · « **Reply #223 on:** 03/15/2011 05:32 pm »

Quote from: robertross on 03/15/2011 03:53 pm

Quote from: janmb on 03/15/2011 03:42 pm
For sake of weather scrub contingencies, has anyone got any overview of the launch window for STS-134? As in how many days are available after the 19th...

It looks to be April 22rd, because of a Progress Launch (42P) on the 27th and dock 29th constraints. Progress 41P also undocks on the 26th.

They wouldn't try 4 days in a row would they?

dsmillman · « **Reply #224 on:** 03/15/2011 05:37 pm »

Quote from: Sarah on 03/15/2011 05:32 pm

Quote from: robertross on 03/15/2011 03:53 pm
Quote from: janmb on 03/15/2011 03:42 pm
For sake of weather scrub contingencies, has anyone got any overview of the launch window for STS-134? As in how many days are available after the 19th...

It looks to be April 22rd, because of a Progress Launch (42P) on the 27th and dock 29th constraints. Progress 41P also undocks on the 26th.
They wouldn't try 4 days in a row would they?

They might try 3 days in a row, but definitely not 4 days in a row.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #225 on:** 03/15/2011 08:32 pm »

For those who bought causeway tickets for STS-134, what is the current price for adults and children for that?

solaria · « **Reply #226 on:** 03/15/2011 08:56 pm »

Quote from: Rocket Guy on 03/15/2011 08:32 pm

For those who bought causeway tickets for STS-134, what is the current price for adults and children for that?

Launch Viewing Ticket Options
NASA Causeway
$59 adult/$49 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Includes a Launch Transportation Ticket to view the launch from the NASA Causeway and an admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
$41 adult/$31 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Includes an admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with launch viewing from the main Visitor Complex grounds.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
$20 adult/$16 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Includes an admission ticket to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame with launch viewing from the Hall of Fame grounds.

Add On Ticket Option: Dine With an Astronaut
$22.99 adult/$15.99 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
There are three sessions available - 9:45 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. A very limited number of tickets are available, and programs sell out quickly. Only available for purchase online with a NASA Causeway or Visitor Complex viewing ticket.

ImperfectSense · « **Reply #227 on:** 03/15/2011 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Rocket Guy on 03/15/2011 08:32 pm

For those who bought causeway tickets for STS-134, what is the current price for adults and children for that?

Through Florida Dolphin Tours the VIP Package (Causeway ticket and transportation to/from KSCVC) is $169.99 for adults plus a $20 shipping fee

solaria · « **Reply #228 on:** 03/15/2011 09:13 pm »

KSC Fedex shipping was $15 USA, $35 international.

Looks like Dolphin's "presale" has been closed down by KSC and wasn't authorised, well, according to Gator's facebook anyway.

robertross · « **Reply #229 on:** 03/15/2011 09:42 pm »

Be sure to keep an eye on the processing thread...following a 'potential issue' with Soyuz that 'could' delay things.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #230 on:** 03/15/2011 09:52 pm »

Thank you, I was going to ask about Dolphin next. Is Gator the same price? Or any others?

solaria · « **Reply #231 on:** 03/15/2011 09:55 pm »

Will do. Does anyone have a good link to somewhere with all the 2011 planned launches / launch windows / beta cutouts / other factors that affect launch windows? I'm sure I found a brilliant website once, which I thought I had bookmarked but sadly didn't, and I can't seem to find it on google again.

Gator haven't announced prices yet, but said on facebook they would be raising them (like Dolphin have), citing higher costs and the fact they haven't raised them in 2 years.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #232 on:** 03/15/2011 09:59 pm »

Thanks for the updated information.

robertross · « **Reply #233 on:** 03/15/2011 10:02 pm »

Quote from: solaria on 03/15/2011 09:55 pm

Gator haven't announced prices yet, but said on facebook they would be raising them (like Dolphin have), citing higher costs and the fact they haven't raised them in 2 years.

And this would be a justified price increase, considering the higher fuel costs, and, more importantly, the longer expected idle/travel time back from the causeway.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #234 on:** 03/15/2011 10:03 pm »

To be clear on the above, Progress docking during the mission is not out of the question as of yet. It is not the same as required Soyuz cutouts. They may have April 19 to May 2 if they give an ok on that; but beyond that there is only a couple of days in May to permit launch anytime between May 2 and about June 19.

ShuttleShel · « **Reply #235 on:** 03/16/2011 02:15 am »

Still no email from KSC for me.

Does anyone have any idea when we might find out if we were successful in getting tickets from our congressman? All my emails from my senator's aide has said approximately a month prior to launch. Now I know we are still over a month out but I really thought we'd hear something before KSC started selling Causeway tickets. Wouldn't they have dealt out the congress tickets first?

I am starting to really feel like I am out of luck.

If I can't get tickets I suppose I will plan to go to Space View Park. With a 7:48 PM launch do you think arriving by noonish is good enough or should I go even earlier? My kids will be with me (11, 8, & 6). I certainly don't want to get there too late but it will be an awfully long day with the kids!

Is there stuff to do there while you wait? Food within walking distance? Restrooms???

beef5stew · « **Reply #236 on:** 03/16/2011 11:41 am »

Quote from: ShuttleShel on 03/16/2011 02:15 am

Still no email from KSC for me.

Does anyone have any idea when we might find out if we were successful in getting tickets from our congressman? All my emails from my senator's aide has said approximately a month prior to launch. Now I know we are still over a month out but I really thought we'd hear something before KSC started selling Causeway tickets. Wouldn't they have dealt out the congress tickets first?

I am starting to really feel like I am out of luck.

If I can't get tickets I suppose I will plan to go to Space View Park. With a 7:48 PM launch do you think arriving by noonish is good enough or should I go even earlier? My kids will be with me (11, 8, & 6). I certainly don't want to get there too late but it will be an awfully long day with the kids! Is there stuff to do there while you wait? Food within walking distance? Restrooms???

For 132 I got notified 2 weeks before launch that I scored congressional tickets.

Furner · « **Reply #237 on:** 03/16/2011 02:01 pm »

Were those notifications for congressional invitations via email? I got on the list for 134 back in July, and I dont remember if I was told if I would get notification via email or postal mail, and my contact there seems to be very busy lately.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #238 on:** 03/16/2011 02:52 pm »

I've been saying that I would go to Space View Park if I don't get Causeway tickets. Now that I've gotten an opportunity in the "second chance" lottery to buy KSC VC tickets tomorrow I'm rethinking that.

I'm wondering just whether I want to stay at Space View Park for 12 hours before the launch....is there anything to do there? At least with the KSC VC I'd get to go see IMAX movies and tour the exhibits even though I don't get a direct view of the launch pad. I'm still thinking things out.

robertross · « **Reply #239 on:** 03/16/2011 03:30 pm »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 03/16/2011 02:52 pm

I've been saying that I would go to Space View Park if I don't get Causeway tickets. Now that I've gotten an opportunity in the "second chance" lottery to buy KSC VC tickets tomorrow I'm rethinking that.

I'm wondering just whether I want to stay at Space View Park for 12 hours before the launch....is there anything to do there? At least with the KSC VC I'd get to go see IMAX movies and tour the exhibits even though I don't get a direct view of the launch pad. I'm still thinking things out.

Can't speak as what there might be to do there, but in my opinion: even 12 hours sitting and reading a book under an umbrella is worth it for those few minutes that you will never forget for the rest of your life, and you only have 'possibly' two more opportunities in your life to see it.

You miss the first few seconds of launch from the pad when at the VC. I found those first few seconds precious to me, though that was from the causeway (for both STS-132 & STS-133).