Author Topic: SpaceX CCSFS/KSC (Florida Space Coast) - Launch Viewing (Read 192457 times)

kdhilliard · « **Reply #40 on:** 04/08/2019 03:31 am »

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 pm

and no cell phone signal!!!

Is there some way people there can learn of a scrub, or even of changes in T-0?

intrepidpursuit · « **Reply #41 on:** 04/08/2019 04:02 am »

Quote from: kdhilliard on 04/08/2019 03:31 am

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 pm
and no cell phone signal!!!

Is there some way people there can learn of a scrub, or even of changes in T-0?

The Canaveral National Seashore announced on facebook that they would stay open through the launch window. I'd say it is best to resort to radio for launch news. Several local stations will cover it, 90.7 FM or 1350 AM are good choices.

MediumFidelity · « **Reply #42 on:** 04/09/2019 08:45 pm »

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.

Quote

NO parking allowed on State Road 401
NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire length

https://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).

leetdan · « **Reply #43 on:** 04/10/2019 02:22 pm »

https://fl511.com/map#camera has several traffic cameras along 528 all the way in to the port.

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #44 on:** 04/10/2019 03:46 pm »

Me and some colleagues will try to see it from Jetty Pier!

sghill · « **Reply #45 on:** 04/10/2019 03:59 pm »

Quote from: MediumFidelity on 04/09/2019 08:45 pm

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.

Quote
NO parking allowed on State Road 401
NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire length
https://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.

seawolfe · « **Reply #46 on:** 04/10/2019 04:03 pm »

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 03:59 pm

Quote from: MediumFidelity on 04/09/2019 08:45 pm
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.

Quote
NO parking allowed on State Road 401
NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire length
https://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.

Great way to bring in county money with all of the parking tickets.

leetdan · « **Reply #47 on:** 04/10/2019 07:29 pm »

Highway 401 is actually taped off this time. They are letting people park at the end of 401 in the usual place, plenty of room left as of right now.

sghill · « **Reply #48 on:** 04/10/2019 07:47 pm »

Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.

envy887 · « **Reply #49 on:** 04/10/2019 08:05 pm »

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pm

Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.

All day, or recently? I thought it was supposed to close once it reached capacity.

sghill · « **Reply #50 on:** 04/10/2019 08:09 pm »

Quote from: envy887 on 04/10/2019 08:05 pm

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pm
Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.

All day, or recently? I thought it was supposed to close once it reached capacity.

It is nearly empty here. Can't be a capacity issue.

Odd though, because it was open last time!,

Fortunately, I found succor at an emergency shelter by the bridge. .

MediumFidelity · « **Reply #51 on:** 04/10/2019 08:16 pm »

Jetty Park parking is full/closed. Was just turned around from there. Looking at parking in lot F or G, then walking to Jetty Park. There is no one (no staff) at those lots to right now.

Since they are charging for parking at the port this time around (that’s new, right?), maybe they are serious about no parking along SR-401.

leetdan · « **Reply #52 on:** 04/10/2019 09:11 pm »

Parking at the end of 401 is about 3/4 full as of right now. Should be at capacity within half an hour.

The shoulder along 401 itself was taped off this time, so yes they appear serious about keeping people from parking.

MediumFidelity · « **Reply #53 on:** 04/10/2019 09:25 pm »

I opted for parking st the port and walking to Jetty Park. I saw this on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/marekcyzio/status/1115351881503711232

Looks like it wasn’t a bluff.

MediumFidelity · « **Reply #54 on:** 04/10/2019 10:25 pm »

FYI, they aren’t letting any more people into Jetty Park, even on foot. They are redirecting people to the boat ramp.

sghill · « **Reply #55 on:** 04/10/2019 10:30 pm »

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pm

Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.

Word on the street is that POTUS is here for the launch!

Obviously, I cannot confirm...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 04/10/2019 10:50 pm »

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 10:30 pm

Quote from: sghill on 04/10/2019 07:47 pm
Playalinda closed. The guard had no explanations for it.

Word on the street is that POTUS is here for the launch!

Obviously, I cannot confirm...

Report to mod says he's in Texas all day.

Comga · « **Reply #57 on:** 04/11/2019 12:21 am »

Quote from: MediumFidelity on 04/10/2019 10:25 pm

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"?

intrepidpursuit · « **Reply #58 on:** 04/11/2019 12:34 am »

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.

MediumFidelity · « **Reply #59 on:** 04/11/2019 04:59 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 04/11/2019 12:21 am

For future reference, and for those of us not from the area, where it "the boat ramp"?

Google Maps satellite imagery is out of date (I attached a screenshot from Apple Maps), but the boat ramp is located here:
https://goo.gl/maps/yNRrBB2RYR82

It's just West of Jetty Park. It's not a great spot, since there is a berm on the other side of the inlet that gets in the way of seeing the final moments of landing.