Author Topic: STS-135 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, tickets, events, landing, etc.) (Read 546866 times)

beef5stew · « **on:** 12/13/2010 01:38 pm »

So I live in delaware and work in the same building as my congressman's office. I stopped in last week to see if I could get on the 'list" for congressional passes if/when STS-135 launches. After a few calls, NASA confirmed that they do not have a tenative list for congressional passes to 135.

Sooo, when does that usually happen?

rdale · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/13/2010 01:44 pm »

Since 135 doesn't exist (yet) it makes sense that they aren't set up to give passes out.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #2 on:** 12/13/2010 01:44 pm »

Those plans are likely to be drawn up when the mission receives funding and becomes fully official.

beef5stew · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/13/2010 07:03 pm »

I was under the impression that the appropriations for another flight had been approved, but there were still some rumblings as to what would be cut to provide the funds.

I was hoping to be first on the list.. :-(

rdale · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/13/2010 07:25 pm »

When http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21801.0 becomes the STS-135 Processing thread, consider the funds approved.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #5 on:** 12/13/2010 08:27 pm »

Quote from: beef5stew on 12/13/2010 07:03 pm

I was under the impression that the appropriations for another flight had been approved, but there were still some rumblings as to what would be cut to provide the funds.

I was hoping to be first on the list.. :-(

Not the case. The House passed a CR that includes funding that would cover the cost of STS-135, but that has yet to be passed in the Senate or signed by Obama. NASA could, in theory, pull funding for the mission from other parts of their budget if additional funding is not authorized by Washington, but this remains to be seen.

For the time being, consider everything way up in the air. This site will have the news about funding soon after it's passed/declined. Let's just wait and see. As for the tickets - keep checking with the Congressional offices. They can get that information pretty quickly.

LoveMrEd · « **Reply #6 on:** 01/26/2011 04:07 pm »

Quote from: beef5stew on 12/13/2010 01:38 pm

So I live in delaware and work in the same building as my congressman's office. I stopped in last week to see if I could get on the 'list" for congressional passes if/when STS-135 launches. After a few calls, NASA confirmed that they do not have a tenative list for congressional passes to 135.

Sooo, when does that usually happen?

Anyone have an update on this now that it's on the calendar?

PahTo · « **Reply #7 on:** 01/26/2011 04:21 pm »

My question to anyone in the know: will the final landing be at KSC or Edwards? I realize that likely hasn't been determined yet, but I imagine conversations will be on-going with hints of what planners are planning. Basically, if the budget numbers are totally clear that there will NOT be funds for an Edwards landing/farewell flight, that should come out pretty early...
Oh, and of course weather wave-offs mean perhaps there must be budget for Edwards anyway?

Thanks!

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #8 on:** 01/26/2011 04:52 pm »

Quote from: PahTo on 01/26/2011 04:21 pm

My question to anyone in the know: will the final landing be at KSC or Edwards? I realize that likely hasn't been determined yet, but I imagine conversations will be on-going with hints of what planners are planning. Basically, if the budget numbers are totally clear that there will NOT be funds for an Edwards landing/farewell flight, that should come out pretty early...
Oh, and of course weather wave-offs mean perhaps there must be budget for Edwards anyway?

Thanks!

As has been the case now for numerous years, all missions carry a planned EOM landing at KSC with money in their flight budgets to support an Edwards landing and ferry flight back to KSC. Nothing about this process will be different for the final flight(s).

LoveMrEd · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/01/2011 02:53 pm »

Quote from: rdale on 12/13/2010 01:44 pm

Since 135 doesn't exist (yet) it makes sense that they aren't set up to give passes out.

They supposedly opened it up for requests today--I am on the "waitlist".

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 02/01/2011 04:48 pm »

By the way, Rob posted that when the mission wasn't official. Is now of course

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #11 on:** 02/01/2011 08:56 pm »

Quote from: LoveMrEd on 02/01/2011 02:53 pm

Quote from: rdale on 12/13/2010 01:44 pm
Since 135 doesn't exist (yet) it makes sense that they aren't set up to give passes out.

They supposedly opened it up for requests today--I am on the "waitlist".

I've booked a Hotel room in Titusville, but haven't booked flights yet: I want to see how quickly STS-133 and 134 are accomplished first. Anyone got any tips for getting good viewing position tickets near/at KSC?

LoveMrEd · « **Reply #12 on:** 02/03/2011 02:20 pm »

Quote from: MATTBLAK on 02/01/2011 08:56 pm

Quote from: LoveMrEd on 02/01/2011 02:53 pm
Quote from: rdale on 12/13/2010 01:44 pm
Since 135 doesn't exist (yet) it makes sense that they aren't set up to give passes out.

They supposedly opened it up for requests today--I am on the "waitlist".

I've booked a Hotel room in Titusville, but haven't booked flights yet: I want to see how quickly STS-133 and 134 are accomplished first. Anyone got any tips for getting good viewing position tickets near/at KSC?

Matt,
Check out the threads for previous shuttle launches for that generic type if information, like this one:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.0

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #13 on:** 02/03/2011 09:13 pm »

Quote from: MATTBLAK on 02/01/2011 08:56 pm

Quote from: LoveMrEd on 02/01/2011 02:53 pm
Quote from: rdale on 12/13/2010 01:44 pm
Since 135 doesn't exist (yet) it makes sense that they aren't set up to give passes out.

They supposedly opened it up for requests today--I am on the "waitlist".

I've booked a Hotel room in Titusville, but haven't booked flights yet: I want to see how quickly STS-133 and 134 are accomplished first. Anyone got any tips for getting good viewing position tickets near/at KSC?

Try for tickets that will let you view from either the causeway (best public viewing location) or the visitor center (no view of liftoff but ascent is visible). Neither are available yet but keep check at www.kennedyspacecenter.com or call (866) 737-5235.

After that, Titusville is your best option, with Space View Park being a leading viewing location for those who can't get a spot on the causeway or at the VC. For SVP, get there as early as you can. I was there looking across the water the night before STS-132 and there were already people camping out holding their spots. The town was apparently packed with over 300,000 to 1,000,000 people on launch day so be ready.

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #14 on:** 02/04/2011 04:49 am »

Thanks guys!!

Dasun · « **Reply #15 on:** 02/04/2011 11:29 pm »

I would like to see the final launch of the last heavy lift vehicle and have to plan my vacation - any idea of the launch/landing date?

robertross · « **Reply #16 on:** 02/04/2011 11:35 pm »

Quote from: Dasun on 02/04/2011 11:29 pm

I would like to see the final launch of the last heavy lift vehicle and have to plan my vacation - any idea of the launch/landing date?

One thread over:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22538.msg682863#msg682863

Orbiter · « **Reply #17 on:** 03/06/2011 10:46 pm »

I'm going to register for tickets (I already have for STS-134) for this one.. man, I cannot even begin to imagine how many people are going to be here for this launch. A summer day launches as it is are very crowded (and, excruciatingly hot) but the last one.. phew its going to be quite a challenge.

Orbiter

beef5stew · « **Reply #18 on:** 03/10/2011 07:00 pm »

Curious...why does this section still list the mission STS-335/135??? Isn't it now officially STS-135?

TJ

robertross · « **Reply #19 on:** 03/11/2011 12:22 am »

Quote from: beef5stew on 03/10/2011 07:00 pm

Curious...why does this section still list the mission STS-335/135??? Isn't it now officially STS-135?

TJ

Because the original plan was STS-335, and all the old documentation refers to it. That's like changing the folder name on your computer of old pictures - hard to find them again!