Well, with the end of the shuttle program sadly in sight, I have realized that if I ever want to see a launch in person, I must do it soon. It's kind of funny, I have watched almost every shuttle launch on TV or the internet, and have considered myself a space nerd since I was about 6 years old (I'm 27 now), but I have never made it to see one in person.The good news is that I was able to get the time off work (and the wife's blessing) to drive the 18 hours down the the cape to witness this launch. My question to all those who have perfected the art of viewing shuttle launches is, what tips can you give me? Where is the best place to view a launch in late July, early August? What is the best way to get tickets (if they are needed) How far in advance do I need to try to get a hotel room? Any recommendations of places to stay?Also, I know that this one is harder to know for sure, but it the general feeling that STS-134 will be ready to go come launch day? Historically, does the weather normally cooperate this time of year. I only have enough vacation time to make one real attempt at seeing a launch this year (and with it being the last year of the program, ever), should I try for a different one? Any tips or input that can be given would be greatly appreciated.
1) There might be a major delay with STS-134 because of testing on the payload.. causing a mission swap. All this might mean is that STS-133 moves up to July with Endeavour and STS-134 moves down to September with Discovery, we just don't know. It might be a major move in the manifest as well.
With regards to the Clarion Inn, stay on top of the changes in the launch schedule and make your reservations quickly when they change - you can usually be ahead of them jacking up the rates. I did this for both sets of launch times for STS-127 last year. I made the reservations for the June attempt when the launch slipped from May. Then once the delays started in June, I made reservations for July even before the date was set. I think I had three sets of reservations at one time.At least as of last year, the reservations were cancellable with 24 or 48 hour notice.
Im still waitng on my Congressman to respond to my request, but I have an insider who works for NASA who says he may can help with that if I dont hear from him by the end of March. (He just a relative of a friend of a friend of mine type thing. I know he was working @ MC at one time and was prontoed higher up, as Im told.) Anyways, Ive made plans to go to Orlando with the family that week into the next, so it wont be a total waste. I want to see it go up on time myself, and for myt kids to have a once in a lifetime chance to see a shuttle go up, but if I miss it, Ive had quailty time with my family.....
If not, see if you can get a parking permit for the Clarion in Titusville. It's about 6 or 7 miles from the pads, and it's nothing but river between you and there.
Quote from: Ford Mustang on 03/07/2010 09:32 pmIf not, see if you can get a parking permit for the Clarion in Titusville. It's about 6 or 7 miles from the pads, and it's nothing but river between you and there. It's hard to believe, but the closest point in Titusville is 12 miles away from Pad A. It doesn't look that far because the VAB is so big and there's nothing near by to compare it to. But I agree that the view is spectacular.
Has there been any official memo yet that addresses the rumor of "the AMS will fly according to schedule even if it needs to round-trip"?