Author Topic: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)  (Read 124414 times)

Offline wjbarnett

Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #80 on: 10/28/2008 01:36 am »

3. Shop prices and menu prices are displayed without tax.

Also Rental cars and Hotel prices are typically quoted without taxes! And taxes on these items can be much higher and more variable (different rates in every airport/town/county) than the usual state-wide flat "Sales Tax" (I'm not often in Florida so I don't remember that %).

There's nothing equivalent in the US to a Value Add Tax. Instead every local government adds something on. Especially in Florida, they love to hit tourists, as easy to tax without a voice to complain or vote against the politicians.
Jack

Offline Jim

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #81 on: 10/28/2008 10:19 am »

There's nothing equivalent in the US to a Value Add Tax. Instead every local government adds something on. Especially in Florida, they love to hit tourists, as easy to tax without a voice to complain or vote against the politicians.

As long as it keeps me from having to pay state income tax, I don't mind

Offline trebloc

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #82 on: 10/28/2008 04:58 pm »
Thanks everyone for the info. Fingers crosed for the 14th
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Offline atny286

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #83 on: 10/29/2008 05:35 pm »
New here on the forum: Hi All!

As I will be in the States (New York) till February 09, I guess I have one or two changes to watch a launch from KSC.

For STS-126, I guess the best bet is for Nov 14th, right? Then my questions:
1. Where to stay (hotel) and where to watch? Titusville, I saw on this thread?
2. When to arrive (Nov 13) and when to leave (Nov 15)?
3. Any ideas when it is virtually certain it will launch on Nov 14th? So that I can make the reservations.
4. Any meets on the day itself my wife and I can join?

Hope to see you there and thanks for your answers!
A.


Offline Ford Mustang

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #84 on: 10/29/2008 06:31 pm »
Just giving snippets.. I'm not too sure on some stuff, as I'm 17 and never gone to a launch.

2) I'd plan on leaving a few days AFTER the 14th, you never know if there will be a scrub.

3) When the clock starts.. best answer I can give you.  You can generally tell a few days before, but you are never certain until T-0 and Booster ignition.  ;)

Yeah, not that helpful, but it's a little bit of an insight in the meantime so you can plan a little better.  I'd just go through this thread, though.  Very helpful stuff inside.
« Last Edit: 10/29/2008 06:31 pm by Ford Mustang »

Offline astrobrian

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #85 on: 10/29/2008 07:14 pm »
4)  the evening before there will be a meet,  see previous posts in the thread  ;)

Offline atny286

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #86 on: 10/29/2008 07:39 pm »
Thanks! I scrolled through the thread, as it's pretty long! and I might skipped a few posts... :lol:

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #87 on: 10/29/2008 08:09 pm »
A note to all attending the STS-126 launch on November 14.  Sunset is at 5:30pm EST, a nearly-Full Moon will rise in the eastern Florida sky at 6:45pm (Full Moon is November 13), and Launch, of course, at 7:55pm.   Should be a spectacular show!
« Last Edit: 10/30/2008 01:54 pm by ChrisGebhardt »

Offline Andrewwski

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #88 on: 10/29/2008 10:43 pm »
Don't plan it like that...leaving one day before and getting back one day after.  As Ford said, you don't know that it's going to launch on a certain day until booster ignition.

Give yourself a few days in Florida in case there's a scrub or two.

Also...regarding Florida tolls...I doubt this particular one is, but I've noticed quite a few tolls in Florida are exact-change only (no attendants at the booths).  Meaning you need a lot of quarters.  That always surprising to me as every toll I've ever been through in the northeast is much different.
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Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #89 on: 10/30/2008 01:53 pm »
Don't plan it like that...leaving one day before and getting back one day after.  As Ford said, you don't know that it's going to launch on a certain day until booster ignition.

Give yourself a few days in Florida in case there's a scrub or two.

Also...regarding Florida tolls...I doubt this particular one is, but I've noticed quite a few tolls in Florida are exact-change only (no attendants at the booths).  Meaning you need a lot of quarters.  That always surprising to me as every toll I've ever been through in the northeast is much different.

The 521 Beeline/Beachline (whatever the heck we're calling it now) does have toll booth workers to provide change... at least, it did the last time I drove it in September.

Online jacqmans

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #90 on: 10/30/2008 05:02 pm »
Another question :-)

A few days (1 day ?, 2 days ?) after launch the SRB's come back, is there a good place to watch the SRB's come back ? Good photo spot ?? And how do I know when they will be on their way back into port ??

Thanks
Jacques :-)

Offline chezbippy12

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #91 on: 10/30/2008 05:14 pm »
Thats a very good question.. I didnt even think of that, I hope someone responds...Thanks all

Offline chezbippy12

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #92 on: 11/03/2008 06:56 pm »
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


Offline Jim

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #93 on: 11/03/2008 07:03 pm »
The SRB's usually return 24 hours after launch.

Timing is hit or miss.  Don't know of any way of finding out the actual time

They can be seen from Jetty park and many of the restaurants in the port.
Also the draw bridge on 401 would be a good spot
« Last Edit: 11/03/2008 07:05 pm by Jim »

Offline jeff2space

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #94 on: 11/03/2008 08:12 pm »
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.

Offline redsoxjayhawk

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #95 on: 11/04/2008 09:55 pm »

Does anyone know if the RSS will be retracted for the airshow this weekend? I would love to get a picture of the Blue Angels flying over the pad and the shuttle the same way the Thunderbirds did in February

Offline astrobrian

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #96 on: 11/04/2008 10:17 pm »
Pretty sure that was done as a special promotion.
The air show is not doing anything of the sort that I have heard of.

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #97 on: 11/05/2008 04:17 pm »
Pretty sure that was done as a special promotion.
The air show is not doing anything of the sort that I have heard of.

Actually, I believe Endeavour had just been rolled out for her STS-123 mission the morning the fly-over happened.

Offline rdale

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #98 on: 11/05/2008 04:23 pm »
The air show will be covered live on NASA TV for Saturday.

Offline Aobrien

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Re: STS-126: Viewing (Going to the Launch etc.)
« Reply #99 on: 11/06/2008 10:50 pm »
Can someone send me a PM or put it on here where the BEST spot in Titusville to watch the STS-126 Launch is. A specific address would help. By the way I'm only coming from Tampa.

Thanks :)
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