Author Topic: STS-135 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, tickets, events, landing, etc.) (Read 547840 times)

ZincWhiskers · « **Reply #40 on:** 04/15/2011 04:17 pm »

I have searched this site and cannot find what NASA charges for viewing tickets to see the launch - either from the visitor center or the causeway. I'm registered to receive email alerts when STS135 tickets go on sale, but not really expecting to be able to snag any.

I see that scalpers on eBay are selling STS134 tickets for about $250-300 each for the Causeway.

Anyone know what the face value of these tickets is?
Thanks!
~Zinc

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #41 on:** 04/15/2011 04:21 pm »

$59 per person ($49 age 3-11).

ZincWhiskers · « **Reply #42 on:** 04/15/2011 05:44 pm »

I guess the followup question then is - how do I go about getting out to the causeway? Can I drive to the KSC visitor center, park there and take a bus? I know there are tours that go for $165+ that will bus you from various hotels and malls around Orlando - maybe that's the way to go if one cannot drive to KSC on launch days....

Sorry, but I'm a newbie to this. We visited KSC a couple of years ago and now that the STS launches are ending, I'm of course scrambling to get information....!
Thanks again,
~Zinc

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #43 on:** 04/15/2011 05:47 pm »

You enter the lottery; if selected you try to buy causeway tickets. They give you a parking pass with a time on it to arrive at the visitors complex. You get on their bus to the causeway in the last few hours before launch.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

LoveMrEd · « **Reply #44 on:** 04/27/2011 12:48 am »

Does anyone have experience, tips, warnings, etc. to share about watching the shuttle launch from a kayak near Haulover/Mosquito Lagoon?

bushande · « **Reply #45 on:** 04/28/2011 04:00 pm »

Hello,
this is my first post here and first of all: WHAT A WONDERFUL SITE!!!! The info here is really worth a million!

Anyways, I was sweeping through the STS-133 and -134 threads now for quite some time and am still a little at a loss. Please excuse if I ask questions you might have gotten now several times and thanks for the patience to bear with them another time.

I am planning to HOPEFULLY! witness the final Shuttle launch coming all the way from Germany so I only can hope and pray to the Lord almighty that there won't be any too long delays in case the current launch date of June 28 would be canceled for some reason.

I'm not too confident to get a causeway ticket and would also be happy to settle for a nice spot somewhere in Titusville. Since I'm on a rather small budget and wouldn't mind less comfort or a longer drive to KSC or Titusville, can anyone recommend a good and hopefully not too pricey accommodation, i.e. Hostels, Motels etc. somewhere reasonably close or has anyone a good launch point for me to look for affordable accommodation?

Do you think it's too early to book an accommodation or maybe even already too late?

I am well aware that more than a million people are expected to witness the final launch so I guess traffic jam is guarantied.

I am considering to arrive a day earlier in Titusville and might spend the night in the car. Do you think that is a good idea or am I panicking here? Is it actually allowed to sleep in a car in the U.S.?

Sorry if there might some questions appear stupid but that would be my first trip to the KSC.

Now just in the very unlikely case one is selected in the lottery to buy a causeway ticket, is every ticket just valid for one person or could I take someone with me. Would it be possible to buy two tickets in case one would get the chance?

Thanks again for bearing with me and the kind help.

Warmest wishes over the pond.

shuttlefanatic · « **Reply #46 on:** 04/29/2011 06:52 am »

This might be relevant: http://davesyaktales.blogspot.com/2009/03/haulover-canal-discovery-launch.html

I'll be attending STS-135 in person, and have been considering the Haulover Canal area as a possible (land based) viewing site. I scoped it out in a previous trip and the roadblock was set up just south of the drawbridge. No view of the shuttle on the pad, but given the teeming masses of humanity in Titusville, I'm not expecting to get a riverfront viewpoint there either. Similarly, I expect the beach areas south of New Smyrna Beach to be packed. If someone knows how these places stacked up for STS 133 (or 134 tomorrow), it would be good intel!

Quote from: LoveMrEd on 04/27/2011 12:48 am

Does anyone have experience, tips, warnings, etc. to share about watching the shuttle launch from a kayak near Haulover/Mosquito Lagoon?

smith5se · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/02/2011 01:43 am »

Well, it goes without saying since most know of my undying love for Atlantis that I will be here come hell or high water (as long as my boss lets me, starting a new job in June - but it's for NASA so... LOL)

Looking forward to seeing everyone that I can for this final launch!

shuttlefanatic · « **Reply #48 on:** 05/02/2011 02:48 am »

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm

Hello,
this is my first post here and first of all: WHAT A WONDERFUL SITE!!!! The info here is really worth a million!

Welcome! This place is definitely a gold mine. You'll love it here

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm

Since I'm on a rather small budget and wouldn't mind less comfort or a longer drive to KSC or Titusville, can anyone recommend a good and hopefully not too pricey accommodation, i.e. Hostels, Motels etc. somewhere reasonably close or has anyone a good launch point for me to look for affordable accommodation?

Titusville accommodations are pretty much hopeless... There's lots of room in Orlando, except that puts you right in the heart of the traffic jam after a launch or a scrub. Based on my experience at STS-133, I'd recommend looking for places to stay either north or south along I-95 (i.e. New Smyrna Beach or Melbourne) For STS-119, I had a hotel in Orlando and it took about 4 hours to get back. For STS-133 I had a hotel in Melbourne, about the same distance, and it took me only about an hour.

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm

Do you think it's too early to book an accommodation or maybe even already too late?

I haven't looked, but I will be soon. Look for places that allow refunds for cancellations. I don't know if it's in your budget range, but I picked the La Quinta chain because they allow same day cancellations before 4PM.

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm

Now just in the very unlikely case one is selected in the lottery to buy a causeway ticket, is every ticket just valid for one person or could I take someone with me. Would it be possible to buy two tickets in case one would get the chance?

One ticket per person

You're allowed to buy up to six. I'm sure lots of people will be willing to take any extras off your hands. Heck, get me one if you win the lottery

Hope you get to make it and see the launch! As you can probably tell with 133 and 134, it's no sure thing...

robertross · « **Reply #49 on:** 05/04/2011 10:52 pm »

This is for stuart_wildcat's question, which was posted in the processing thread (viewing rollover via KSC VC tour).

check this out:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg701204#msg701204

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg707847#msg707847

LoveMrEd · « **Reply #50 on:** 05/05/2011 12:18 am »

Does anyone have any experience watching the launch from Manatee Hammock campground in Titusville?

stuart_wildcat · « **Reply #51 on:** 05/05/2011 03:22 am »

Quote from: robertross on 05/04/2011 10:52 pm

This is for stuart_wildcat's question, which was posted in the processing thread (viewing rollover via KSC VC tour).

check this out:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg701204#msg701204

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg707847#msg707847

Thanks for the links to the posts. Is the OPF-2 that Atlantis in the one that is closer or farther from the road that goes over to the Saturn Center? From a map it looks like one will have a much better view from the road than the other.

robertross · « **Reply #52 on:** 05/05/2011 01:55 pm »

Quote from: stuart_wildcat on 05/05/2011 03:22 am

Quote from: robertross on 05/04/2011 10:52 pm
This is for stuart_wildcat's question, which was posted in the processing thread (viewing rollover via KSC VC tour).

check this out:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg701204#msg701204

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg707847#msg707847

Thanks for the links to the posts. Is the OPF-2 that Atlantis in the one that is closer or farther from the road that goes over to the Saturn Center? From a map it looks like one will have a much better view from the road than the other.

Not really sure about that - someone else will have to fill in.

Also note for those attempting this: We took the first bus out to the gantry, and you want to be on the LEFT SIDE of the bus for that, and take a seat with no window upright. The front seats on some buses are spread further apart (which is good for guys like me with huge camera backpacks) are the best.

We went straight back on the same bus, becuase the Saturn V center didn't open until 10am and we didn't want to miss the chance. This time you want to be on the RIGHT SIDE, to catch Endeavour's rollover. Little did we know she would be out there as long as she was - we could have waited for the first bus back from the gantry to the Saturn V center and 'probably' still could have caught her, but it was awesome regardless. It only meant we had to get BACK on the bus once again to go on the same tour again.

(annual pass was great for this kind of thing)

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #53 on:** 05/05/2011 02:04 pm »

Quote from: robertross on 05/05/2011 01:55 pm

Quote from: stuart_wildcat on 05/05/2011 03:22 am
Quote from: robertross on 05/04/2011 10:52 pm
This is for stuart_wildcat's question, which was posted in the processing thread (viewing rollover via KSC VC tour).

check this out:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg701204#msg701204

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20770.msg707847#msg707847

Thanks for the links to the posts. Is the OPF-2 that Atlantis in the one that is closer or farther from the road that goes over to the Saturn Center? From a map it looks like one will have a much better view from the road than the other.

Not really sure about that - someone else will have to fill in.

Also note for those attempting this: We took the first bus out to the gantry, and you want to be on the LEFT SIDE of the bus for that, and take a seat with no window upright. The front seats on some buses are spread further apart (which is good for guys like me with huge camera backpacks) are the best.

We went straight back on the same bus, becuase the Saturn V center didn't open until 10am and we didn't want to miss the chance. This time you want to be on the RIGHT SIDE, to catch Endeavour's rollover. Little did we know she would be out there as long as she was - we could have waited for the first bus back from the gantry to the Saturn V center and 'probably' still could have caught her, but it was awesome regardless. It only meant we had to get BACK on the bus once again to go on the same tour again.

(annual pass was great for this kind of thing)

Atlantis is in OPF-1, not 2. OPF-1 is the farther one from the road to the Saturn V center.

stuart_wildcat · « **Reply #54 on:** 05/05/2011 02:57 pm »

Quote from: ChrisGebhardt on 05/05/2011 02:04 pm

Atlantis is in OPF-1, not 2. OPF-1 is the farther one from the road to the Saturn V center.

I had been trying to figure out which OPF she was in and saw an older article I guess that mentioned OPF-2. Should have just looked at the most recent Atlantis article which does say OPF-1.

Either way, the OPF further from the road will make it a little more challenging to see from the tour bus.

robertross · « **Reply #55 on:** 05/06/2011 01:58 am »

Quote from: stuart_wildcat on 05/05/2011 02:57 pm

Quote from: ChrisGebhardt on 05/05/2011 02:04 pm

Atlantis is in OPF-1, not 2. OPF-1 is the farther one from the road to the Saturn V center.

I had been trying to figure out which OPF she was in and saw an older article I guess that mentioned OPF-2. Should have just looked at the most recent Atlantis article which does say OPF-1.

Either way, the OPF further from the road will make it a little more challenging to see from the tour bus.

She still has to make it into the VAB

our driver was nice enough to slow down (couldn't stop though)

bushande · « **Reply #56 on:** 05/13/2011 02:29 pm »

Quote from: shuttlefanatic on 05/02/2011 02:48 am

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm
Hello,
this is my first post here and first of all: WHAT A WONDERFUL SITE!!!! The info here is really worth a million!
Welcome! This place is definitely a gold mine. You'll love it here

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm
Since I'm on a rather small budget and wouldn't mind less comfort or a longer drive to KSC or Titusville, can anyone recommend a good and hopefully not too pricey accommodation, i.e. Hostels, Motels etc. somewhere reasonably close or has anyone a good launch point for me to look for affordable accommodation?
Titusville accommodations are pretty much hopeless... There's lots of room in Orlando, except that puts you right in the heart of the traffic jam after a launch or a scrub. Based on my experience at STS-133, I'd recommend looking for places to stay either north or south along I-95 (i.e. New Smyrna Beach or Melbourne) For STS-119, I had a hotel in Orlando and it took about 4 hours to get back. For STS-133 I had a hotel in Melbourne, about the same distance, and it took me only about an hour.

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm
Do you think it's too early to book an accommodation or maybe even already too late?

I haven't looked, but I will be soon. Look for places that allow refunds for cancellations. I don't know if it's in your budget range, but I picked the La Quinta chain because they allow same day cancellations before 4PM.

Quote from: bushande on 04/28/2011 04:00 pm
Now just in the very unlikely case one is selected in the lottery to buy a causeway ticket, is every ticket just valid for one person or could I take someone with me. Would it be possible to buy two tickets in case one would get the chance?
One ticket per person You're allowed to buy up to six. I'm sure lots of people will be willing to take any extras off your hands. Heck, get me one if you win the lottery

Hope you get to make it and see the launch! As you can probably tell with 133 and 134, it's no sure thing...

Thanks a ton for that great info. i really appreciate it.

I wonder when we will see a new "fix" launch date for Atlantis?!

shuttlefanatic · « **Reply #57 on:** 05/13/2011 05:48 pm »

Quote from: bushande on 05/13/2011 02:29 pm

Thanks a ton for that great info. i really appreciate it.

I wonder when we will see a new "fix" launch date for Atlantis?!

Note that in addition to the forums, this is also a news site. It's not a firm date yet, but this article suggests a July 12 target:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/05/sts-135-ksc-realign-schedule-preliminary-july-12-launch/

JayP · « **Reply #58 on:** 05/13/2011 08:46 pm »

Quote from: stuart_wildcat on 05/05/2011 02:57 pm

Quote from: ChrisGebhardt on 05/05/2011 02:04 pm

Atlantis is in OPF-1, not 2. OPF-1 is the farther one from the road to the Saturn V center.

I had been trying to figure out which OPF she was in and saw an older article I guess that mentioned OPF-2. Should have just looked at the most recent Atlantis article which does say OPF-1.

Either way, the OPF further from the road will make it a little more challenging to see from the tour bus.

Your going to have to time it carefully. There is only a short stretch where you can see down there from the road the busses take.

(See attached image. Blue = bus route, Green = Shuttle OTS route, Red = viewing window)

They are planning on starting the roll pretty early in the morning, but they will probably stop several times along the way for photo ops with the work force like they have done for the last few flights.

moongator · « **Reply #59 on:** 05/17/2011 10:27 pm »

Second post on this site... carried over from another thread...

I am desperately looking for some kind of info related to the landing times for STS-134 and STS-135. I have seen numerous launches but never really watched a landing. I was at only one, back in '95, and it changed approach and I saw virtually nothing. I am planning to come down to the Cape for one or either of the last 2 after trying for a long time (years) to work things out.

I have been told (rather brusquely, in fact) that the STS-134 landing cannot POSSIBLY be in daylight hours and WILL NOT be visible and WILL NOT be possible for anyone in the public to view, that no site near KSC will permit viewing. I need some kind of guidance as to why the attitude about this landing, and also want to know what the particulars are for 135. If I miss out on 134... there's only one left. What is the scheduling situation here?

I am determined to get down there for one of these final landings in the shuttle program, whatever it takes. Anyone have any advice as to what the possible schedules are? I know there is a good chance of delays for the 135 launch schedule.