Well, for better or worse, I've book a 9 day stay at the Clarion Inn Port Canaveral from Feb 23-Mar 2Let's hope all goes well for launching on time!JOY
Quote from: robertross on 07/29/2010 05:41 pmWell, for better or worse, I've book a 9 day stay at the Clarion Inn Port Canaveral from Feb 23-Mar 2Let's hope all goes well for launching on time!JOY Still decent rates around that area.
Quote from: Furner on 07/30/2010 02:57 pmQuote from: robertross on 07/29/2010 05:41 pmWell, for better or worse, I've book a 9 day stay at the Clarion Inn Port Canaveral from Feb 23-Mar 2Let's hope all goes well for launching on time!JOY Still decent rates around that area.Yeah, that was an eye-opener.If anyone wants to see this flight, BOOK HOTEL ROOMS NOW!I wanted something by the beach, but at $215 US/night...I don't think so. Some places are already booked solid for the launch day.If they move the launch up or down, I'll try for something better, but being along the highway isn't so bad anyway. Will be going all around again, especially Orlando to shop. Love my Tommy Bahama gear
Update: Looks like we aren't "in"...just in the "possibility" queue. Apparently, the Congressional ticets will be given out after all the VIPs are assigned. SO it's a "whatevers left" situation. Too vague to make any travel plans yet.
Does anyone know how the scrub schedule would work if it couldn't be launched on 2/26? How many days after 2/26 should I plan to stay in the area? Right now I am scheduled to return to Nebraska on 3/5 which is a week after the launch date. Thanks!
Quote from: ShuttleShel on 08/17/2010 08:46 pmDoes anyone know how the scrub schedule would work if it couldn't be launched on 2/26? How many days after 2/26 should I plan to stay in the area? Right now I am scheduled to return to Nebraska on 3/5 which is a week after the launch date. Thanks!Welcome to the site's forum. Looking at the latest all-launch (to ISS) manifest on L2, it looks like a good long window. The Beta Angle cutout gets refined, but that's not an issue until April. Dual Docked Operations (DDO) constraint - if it remains a constraint - isn't close enough to short term issue.We'll get a solid window via the upcoming PRCB baseline and FRR presentations (L2 - but we make news articles out of them), but for STS-134 it's a while off for that mission yet. I've taken a clipped snapshot of what I was talking about above.
word of 'caution' though...If STS-133 gets delayed for some reason, it might have to get pushed into Feb (I think it was Feb 2 IIRC, as noted by Chris G somewhere...). So that could push STS-134 further out, perhaps March?.
Quoteword of 'caution' though...If STS-133 gets delayed for some reason, it might have to get pushed into Feb (I think it was Feb 2 IIRC, as noted by Chris G somewhere...). So that could push STS-134 further out, perhaps March?.Thanks for the replies!Oh I know to be ready for delays. I booked hotel but I won't do airfare until much, much closer. I was just curious how long after the initial launch date (2/26) I should give myself in case of scrubs for weather and stuff that may delay it a day or so. Wondering if a week is good enough?
Consider flying Southwest if that is an option for you. They do not charge a fee for changing your flights. This was a great option for me for STS-127 last year. I had to change my return flight twice because of delays (fortunately I had the work flexibility to do so). I had to pay more because the "new" fare was higher than my original fare, but only ended up adding about $40 to the total cost.
I was just curious how long after the initial launch date (2/26) I should give myself in case of scrubs for weather and stuff that may delay it a day or so. Wondering if a week is good enough?
Quote from: ShuttleShel on 08/18/2010 01:09 amI was just curious how long after the initial launch date (2/26) I should give myself in case of scrubs for weather and stuff that may delay it a day or so. Wondering if a week is good enough?I've only been to one launch (STS-132). If you have not been to one, or you plan to see her at the pad and do the tours, then I can tell you that you can forget about seeing much the day before launch: the crowds are insane! 2 days before wasn't too bad, 3 days would be best.After the 26th, I would give yourself 4 days easy (if possible). If you can manage 7, you're making me jealous Worst case I will pay more to stay longer (if I have to), but there are only so many days available at the pad before they stand down (4 is nominal IIRC), but that's flexible, as is the lead-up to launch day.I didn't have a Southwest option, but that would have been my choice if it were available.Not sure if you've been in the area before, but I didn't really find anything in Titusville that you couldn't travel for. Aim for Cocoa or Port Canaveral: that's where all the restaurants are & the action is (from a visitor's perspective). I found the distances between locations deceptively long. I spent too much time driving.
We had plenty of downtime with STS-127. Some other non-beach ideas that might work for days after the launch or days where they are not attempting. My son was 13, almost 14, when we visited.Daytona Speedway - there is a "museum" that includes a tour of the track - you get to stand in victory lane, etc. If any of your kids are in to racing, it is worth the drive.St. Augustine - a little bit further up the road but lots of neat stuff to do.If you have any baseball fans in the group - late February will be Spring Training. The Washington Nationals have camp in Viera, a few exits down 95 from Cocoa.Of course there is nothing wrong with hanging at the beach or theme parks either - and at that time of the year as long as its warm, its good. Good luck - hope it all works out for you!