What is the public causeway Elon references? The NASA causeway apparently won’t be open, and we still have not heard about Playalinda, have we? I got my ticket for the Saturn V. CEnter viewing but have friends down there who want to know where to watch from outside the gates...
Per @NASAKennedy, @news6wkmg is told Canaveral National Seashore and Playalinda Beach will be open to the public for Tuesday's 1:30pm scheduled maiden launch of #SpaceX #FalconHeavy rocket.
Given the time of the Hispat launch on Sunday 25th feb early am, what will be open or available? Suggestions? Are the parks even open?
Ill be in the US in June, from the 11th to the 23rd (ish) but I am attending a conference in Texas 11-15. With a little bit of slippage (but not too much) this could work out brilliantly to be the first launch I ever see in person. I am excited about the prospect but I have little hope that it actually works out like that. Does anyone know how far in advance you need to buy flights to get a good price? I have friends in Washington State that I could also visit, but thats almost as far away from the cape as you can go in the US. I sort of need to choose between the two.
Does anyone know how far in advance you need to buy flights to get a good price?
Hispasat 30W-6 launch montage partially filmed from a parking lot located near the Aviation Maintenance Science building at Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach.What's neat was that I was able to see the first stage reentry burn from my vantage point about 6 and a half minutes into the flight. The bad news was I didn't get any video or photos of it because I was not expecting to see that reentry burn.
Noob question, is it possible to watch a launch outside the gate near the Sands Space History Center?
Any input on whether Playalinda will be open for the Falcon Heavy? I assume it will since it was the last time. Any tips on how early to be there with the limited parking?
This will be my second launch viewing attempt. First one, CRS-16, was delayed due to moldy mouse food. In my search for the cheapest flight options and airline policy for changing the flight, this is what I have found for the 3 airlines that had flights from CVG to MCO which fit my schedule. Higher price tickets and awards tickets likely have different policies.Delta charges $200/ticket + difference to change flights. (for Main, Comfort or 1st class. No changes on Basic). This could cost more than just booking new flights.Frontier will allow changes if you purchase the Works for $80/person/flight. This could cost more than just booking new flights.Allegiant offers Trip Flex. For $50, you can change your entire reservation ONCE up to 1 hour prior to flight.Hoping this is helpful to some.
..., but I will be watching the launch from Playalinda Beach the next day (assuming no schedule slips).
and no cell phone signal!!!
Quote from: sghill on 04/07/2019 01:48 pm..., but I will be watching the launch from Playalinda Beach the next day (assuming no schedule slips).I see that Playalinda officially closes at 8:00 PM. Do you have any expectations of what they will do if the launch slips late into the window? I can't see them successfully talking launch fans into leaving on time if a launch is pending.Quote from: sghill on 04/07/2019 01:48 pmand no cell phone signal!!!Is there some way people there can learn of a scrub, or even of changes in T-0?
NO parking allowed on State Road 401NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire length
No parking along SR 401 for the Arabsat 6A launch throws a wrench into my plans. It was a great (free) spot for launch and landing viewing.QuoteNO parking allowed on State Road 401NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire lengthhttps://www.portcanaveral.com/About/Recent-News/SpaceX-Falcon-Heavy-launch-is-currently-scheduled-Anyone have a guess as to when the parking lots at Port Canaveral will fill up? Were they open for the Falcon Heavy test flight? Trying to make the tough choice between Playalinda Beach (for launch) or somewhere at Port Canaveral (for landing).
Quote from: MediumFidelity on 04/09/2019 08:45 pmNo parking along SR 401 for the Arabsat 6A launch throws a wrench into my plans. It was a great (free) spot for launch and landing viewing.QuoteNO parking allowed on State Road 401NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire lengthhttps://www.portcanaveral.com/About/Recent-News/SpaceX-Falcon-Heavy-launch-is-currently-scheduled-Anyone have a guess as to when the parking lots at Port Canaveral will fill up? Were they open for the Falcon Heavy test flight? Trying to make the tough choice between Playalinda Beach (for launch) or somewhere at Port Canaveral (for landing).They have said no parking along rt. 401 since the 1980's. Pull straight in and stay completely off the pavement. Unless they have finally gotten serious about it, you should see several hundred other cars there.
Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.
Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pmPlayalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.All day, or recently? I thought it was supposed to close once it reached capacity.
Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pmPlayalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.Word on the street is that POTUS is here for the launch!Obviously, I cannot confirm...
FYI, they aren’t letting any more people into Jetty Park, even on foot. They are redirecting people to the boat ramp.
For future reference, and for those of us not from the area, where it "the boat ramp"?
These unprecedented closures of all the regular spots is upsetting.
Quote from: intrepidpursuit on 04/11/2019 12:34 amThese unprecedented closures of all the regular spots is upsetting.In the case of the 401, I'll counter with "hundreds of cars parked along the area's only exit route is an obvious safety hazard". No need for tinfoil.
Quote from: leetdan on 04/11/2019 07:54 pmQuote from: intrepidpursuit on 04/11/2019 12:34 amThese unprecedented closures of all the regular spots is upsetting.In the case of the 401, I'll counter with "hundreds of cars parked along the area's only exit route is an obvious safety hazard". No need for tinfoil.The police always keep everyone well off the road and people have been parking here since Mercury without serious incident. Why the change?
These unprecedented closures of all the regular spots is upsetting. I truly hope that Delaware North is not involved in the change. Launch cadence and importance is ticking up to new heights this year and next with crewed launches, booster returns, heavies, New Glenn, and all the other activity coming up. Hopefully the local authorities will find a way to provide more viewing area that is open to the public rather than only closing things off.
Sad to hear that they have decided now is the time to do this. I am in Miami from the 7th (from the UK) so will be heading up to the Kennedy Space Center for the day and then hanging around in the hope of catching the Falcon 9 SpaceX CRS 18 from SLC-40. Meant to be a midnight launch? This would be my first in person launch!Where would people recommend if the 401 is closed off?
Quote from: JRVanillaBear on 04/24/2019 03:21 pmSad to hear that they have decided now is the time to do this. I am in Miami from the 7th (from the UK) so will be heading up to the Kennedy Space Center for the day and then hanging around in the hope of catching the Falcon 9 SpaceX CRS 18 from SLC-40. Meant to be a midnight launch? This would be my first in person launch!Where would people recommend if the 401 is closed off?Depends on it you want to optimize for launch or landing. Being a close-to-shore drone ship landing, pushes landing viewing to Jetty Park, though it'll still be pretty far out there. The viewing area by the entrance to CCAFS sounds iffy. They were allowing the public there for Arabsat 6A, but maybe that's changing (accord to Ben Cooper's site).
Viewing from 401 is still great, you just need to drive all the way down to the CCAFS gate and park in the designated areas. There are bleachers and porta-potties, and base staff directing traffic even for night launches.
Not overly fussed about the landing, just seeing the launch is a once in a lifetime for me I think.
I've got tickets to see the Falcon Heavy STP-2 launch from kickstarter (years and years ago now!) -- anyone else interested in meeting up, discussing hotel options, etc?
The center core is expected to land close to shore---when would we expect OCISLY to return to port assuming the launch happens at 11:30pm June 22 as currently expected?
So, early Monday morning, if the launch late Saturday holds. I might try to get a return flight Monday afternoon-ish. That ought to cover a 24-hour scrub too.
Quote from: cscott on 05/29/2019 05:15 pmI've got tickets to see the Falcon Heavy STP-2 launch from kickstarter (years and years ago now!) -- anyone else interested in meeting up, discussing hotel options, etc?I should be there, and am interesting in meeting with NSF people.
https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1137042334401671168QuoteSame launch time: 2330 ET / 0330 UTC +1.Edit to add: more time needed for payload integrationhttps://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1137054280387612673QuoteThe @usairforce just confirmed 2 day launch delay for @SpaceX #FalconHeavy to NET Jun 24 from Jun 22 for #STP2 mission. More time needed to integrate the 24 satellites.Window still opens 1130 PM for 1st night launch of 3core FH. All 3 boosters to be recovered including 2 by land
Same launch time: 2330 ET / 0330 UTC +1.
The @usairforce just confirmed 2 day launch delay for @SpaceX #FalconHeavy to NET Jun 24 from Jun 22 for #STP2 mission. More time needed to integrate the 24 satellites.Window still opens 1130 PM for 1st night launch of 3core FH. All 3 boosters to be recovered including 2 by land
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.htmlQuoteThe next United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, flying with the maximum five SRBs, will launch AEHF-5 for the US Air Force on June 27 at 8:27am EDT. The launch window stretches two hours to 10:27am EDT.
The next United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, flying with the maximum five SRBs, will launch AEHF-5 for the US Air Force on June 27 at 8:27am EDT. The launch window stretches two hours to 10:27am EDT.
Well, I got my SaturnV ticket, got my flight. I'm broke but happy May I ask you guys about your prefered hotel/airbnb solutions?
Anybody watching STP-2 from an airplane tonight? I'm trying it for the first time, autopilot will have me half a mile from the west edge of the restricted airspace, then following down to the southern boundary for the booster landing. I'm wondering if there are many other aircraft doing this at each launch but can't find much evidence on the web...hope it's not bumper to bumper along V3 tonight!
Quote from: ericnelson7 on 06/25/2019 12:36 amAnybody watching STP-2 from an airplane tonight? I'm trying it for the first time, autopilot will have me half a mile from the west edge of the restricted airspace, then following down to the southern boundary for the booster landing. I'm wondering if there are many other aircraft doing this at each launch but can't find much evidence on the web...hope it's not bumper to bumper along V3 tonight!I hope you have a large tank... what time are you taking off? How does the slip factor into your plans?
I wonder if Playalinda Beach will be open for the Inflight Abort Test? Launch at 8:00 AM EST, beach opens at 6:00 AM EST. I can't imagine any hazards from the breakup that could possibly be of concern at that distance.
Can anyone tell me if, or where to find out if, Jetty Park will stay open past the standard closing time of 8PM for the Starlink launch?
Is anyone going to see the Starlink launch, now scheduled for Monday 2020-01-06 ~9:20 PM?Dinner etc. at Fishlips?
Can anyone help me find out is Playalinda will be open tonight?
Quote from: Comga on 01/06/2020 05:42 pmCan anyone help me find out is Playalinda will be open tonight?No dice, they close at 6. It's listed on their website, and I called to confirm.That said, the Max Brewer should be a great place to watch. Cloud cover is minimal today, so you should be able to see up to the entry burn just above the NE horizon.
Quote from: leetdan on 01/06/2020 08:25 pmQuote from: Comga on 01/06/2020 05:42 pmCan anyone help me find out is Playalinda will be open tonight?No dice, they close at 6. It's listed on their website, and I called to confirm.That said, the Max Brewer should be a great place to watch. Cloud cover is minimal today, so you should be able to see up to the entry burn just above the NE horizon.I took your advice and am on the causeway at the NE end of the bridge. The sky is crystal clear. There is little wind although it’s chilly. Going to be a great show!edit:It was!
The problem I see with Max Brewer is that LC 39A seems to be due East from it, and the Sun would be very low in the sky, which should make it hard to watch the launch.
Quote from: qbytex on 01/17/2020 03:06 pmThe problem I see with Max Brewer is that LC 39A seems to be due East from it, and the Sun would be very low in the sky, which should make it hard to watch the launch.True, sunrise is at 7:15. But we're still fairly close to solstice, so the sun will be in the southern half of the sky. A due east view might not be so bad, and it should be better the farther south you go.http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html
May 22, 2020 MEDIA ADVISORY M020-08Airspace, Road, Bridge and Water Closures for SpaceX Demo-2Launch Date: May 27, 2020Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and SpaceX Crew DragonLaunch Pad: 39ALaunch Window: 4:33 p.m. EDT, InstantaneousTargeted Launch Time: 4:33:00 p.m. EDTNASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (To Include Drones)What: Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)When: Wednesday, May 27 from 12:30 p.m. until no later than 5:30 p.m. EDT.... extending 64 nautical miles east into the ocean. An additional three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended eastward along the flight path of the space shuttle.
I am considering the Kennedy Visitor Center parking and a movie deal for viewing the SAOCOM launch. Would that be a good location for this launch and stage landing?
Ask in the KSC / CCAFS viewing thread. Viewing on 401 was just discussed there a couple weeks ago. https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44657.100
Excuse me but I' confused about tomorrow's launch. Will Falcon 9 head southeast or northeast as usual? I need to know whether Playalinda or Jetty Park are better.
Excuse me but I' confused about tomorrow's launch. Will Falcon 9 head southeast or northeast as usual? I need to know whether Playalinda or Jetty Park are better.Thanks!
Thank you both! So tomorrow Playalinda, and Thursday Jetty Park.Do you know where to park if Playalinda is closed? The beach opens at 9, after launch.
I live in the northeast US, but I will be down in Florida from March 6 through 10. It just so happens that there may be a Falcon 9 launch during this window....though I'm seeing conflicting information.It looks like NET is currently March 7th at 10 @ 10:41 PM Eastern from SLC-40.I have never seen a live launch before and not sure when my next opportunity might be. I've been googling, but particularly since this is a night launch, it's hard to come by solid info. (Parks will be closed, etc.)Anyone have a suggestion as the best place to watch this launch from?
Space View Park in Titusville would be a great spot.
I am flying into Orlando at 9:30pm Wednesday night. I am staying in Melbourne but will make a diversion to see this. Where would the best/closest to the launch/safe place be for me to see this launch given I am not familiar with the area? It will be my first!
Anyone viewing the Inspiration4 launch tonight?I'm vacillating between watching it from the side of A1A or Fishlips, but would love to see some fellow NSF folks.Update: The park service just posted that Playalinda Beach will be closed for the launch starting at 4pm.
Is Playalinda the best place for the public to see the Transporter3 launch and landing? If so, will the road to Playalinda be open or does it close at a certain time?
Some friends have a place south of Vero Beach, FL. Bright people (psychologist and occupational therapist) but not techies in the least. I told them about the Jan 6 launch of Starlink 4-5. They watched from their balcony and were fascinated. He said they could see it from shortly after launch through staging. She said they could see through binoculars “all four pieces come apart”.They saw first stage burn, staging, AND fairing separation!From the shoreFairing separation!(She didnt know what a fairing is.)So disappointed I couldn’t join them. Pretty much clouded out farther south. Only saw the smoke from the first few seconds of flight.
Quote from: getitdoneinspace on 01/30/2022 04:24 pmA question for those that have seen a RTLS. Sitting now on the beach about a half mile south of Cocoa Beach pier. I was thinking of going to the grass plot near the SpaceX control building, but from where I'm sitting I see BO's launch site clearly and some structures looking north along the Coast. Should I stay where I'm at or go up to Port Canaveral? Here obviously has a clear view over the ocean whereas the grass plot does not. Thanks to anyone that offers their opinion.I live in Cocoa Beach and have seen RTLS from near and far, from Jetty Park, to boat at sea, to Playalinda Beach. Jetty Park is a bit crowded and too close for my taste. By far my fav view of the RTLS is Cherie Down park, just a little to the south of Jetty Park and not "gate controlled". You can't see the rocket on the pad and won't see it until it gets about T+ 10 seconds. Very few locations feature a view of the top of the rocket. Cherie Down is close enough to give you great sound and expansive view and very direct view of the landing. Parking is free but pretty limited so if its full, I'd just park somewhere close and walk out there. Here's a short vid from the beach the last time I went there:
A question for those that have seen a RTLS. Sitting now on the beach about a half mile south of Cocoa Beach pier. I was thinking of going to the grass plot near the SpaceX control building, but from where I'm sitting I see BO's launch site clearly and some structures looking north along the Coast. Should I stay where I'm at or go up to Port Canaveral? Here obviously has a clear view over the ocean whereas the grass plot does not. Thanks to anyone that offers their opinion.
A bit off-topic: usually, how do you organize your visit around the chance of a scrub or delay? I am planning to travel to Florida to watch a Dragon launch in April, waiting for the readiness review outcome, but don't know how to manage the possibility of delays. Do you know of a statistical model for that, maybe related to the season?
It is a great location. We watched the first falcon heavy launch/landing there.
April weather will be pretty good, probably the biggest question is how long of a window the ISS has for the crew launch.
Windows for launching to the ISS are 5 minutes at most. IIRC for Falcon they are instantaneous. SpaceX completes fueling just in time to launch as the plane of the orbit passes over the launch site, and they have little ability to hold before either the fuel “warms” excessively or the plane offset becomes too large to make.
SpaceX Falcon 9 CSG-2: The life cycle of a booster from launch to landing
Quote from: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 06:49 pmSpaceX Falcon 9 CSG-2: The life cycle of a booster from launch to landingIf you listen to the audio you can hear something important for watching a launch live. Pay attention to the recognizable audio from the SpaceX webcast. It is many seconds behind the events of the launch. If you are using a webcast to keep up to date about the progression of the launch, ASSUME that there is a large lag. Don’t watch your phone through the whole countdown. Look towards the launch site well before T=0
What are my viewing chances of tomorrow's Axiom launch from Tybee Island, Georgia?
@Collin Not sure what the ideal arrival time is, I've heard 4 hours for spots on the stairs. But for a beautiful weekend day with no launch you can wait 30 minutes just to get through the park gate. Since you posted this 75 minutes ago, if you are still looking for an answer, GO NOW!
For those of you who live in the area, I'll be in and around Ft Myers and wonder how far I'll have to drive to even see a launch. I don't think the 200+ miles to see it up close and personal is going to work out (this time) but can I get a decent view from someplace a bit south, one of the beaches down there? Any recommendations? Back to lurking. Thanks.[Edit] I realize I'll need a great pair of binoculars and which direction the rocket is heading is important too but I'm hoping to at least catch a glimpse once the rocket gets high enough...
I have heard that Playalinda Beach was severely damaged by Hurricane Nicole. It may not be open for a while for launches.
Playalinda Beach reopens January 3.
Hi there, we are planning to be in Florida from 17.6. to 27.6. for F9 Satria mission and hopefully as a bonus Delta IV Heavy NROL-68 . As we will travel half a round the globe from Europe, do you some tips and advice where to stay to get best possible view :-) . Thank you a lot!
Hi there, we are planning to be in Florida from 17.6. to 27.6. for F9 Satria mission and hopefully as a bonus Delta IV Heavy NROL-68 . As we will travel half a round the globe from Europe, do you have some tips and advice where to stay to get best possible view :-) . Thank you a lot!
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