NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 10/05/2009 01:14 am
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Thread for those going, tips etc.
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I am currently waiting to be approved for tickets from my congresswomen.
That reminds me I nee to email them. Haven't talked to them since STS-128.
Hoping for my first launch seen from the causeway!!
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I am currently waiting to be approved for tickets from my congresswomen.
That reminds me I nee to email them. Haven't talked to them since STS-128.
Hoping for my first launch seen from the causeway!!
You won't be disappointed.
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I know!!
I have seen one from Titusville(STS-126). Great night launch! I loved it.
I usually can see them pretty good from over here in Tampa providing the weather is good.
Thanks
STS-125 and STS-127 in case anyone is interested in how visible it is from across he state. :)
If not feel free to delete
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I've got plane tickets to fly in from Virginia for the launch... hopefully she'll go up before the 19th, that's my last day.
Hope we can all meet one day for lunch/dinner in Titusville!
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To refresh everyone's memories:
To get a twit when tix are available:
Tix should go on sale mid Oct. Sign up for launch updates at http://tinyurl.com/ksf6b7 to be notified when tix will be available
Site to purchase tix:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx
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I'm coming down as well for this launch. My first. We'd be interested in dinner the night before (or possibly earlier) as well.
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For the congressional tickets, what are the age limits for children?
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I would love to be there but I don't think it will work out. I wonder though if I called my senator's office if it is too late for them to get me a causeway pass. In the past I have given them more notice than this.
I was really hoping for that Nov 9 date to work out but that is not an option now. I would have loved to go to the ASF autograph show the previous weekend then stay for liftoff around the 9th. I think it would be too long of a trip for me to go down there around th 7th and stay til the 13th or later.
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I'm coming down as well for this launch. My first. We'd be interested in dinner the night before (or possibly earlier) as well.
That usually happens at Dixie Crossroads, a NASASpaceflight gathering of sorts :)
As for me, Everything pruchased and ready, this one will be my second launch. My other was 126
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I'm coming down as well for this launch. My first. We'd be interested in dinner the night before (or possibly earlier) as well.
That usually happens at Dixie Crossroads, a NASASpaceflight gathering of sorts :)
As for me, Everything pruchased and ready, this one will be my second launch. My other was 126
We will discuss a NSF dinner/get-together as we get closer to launch. In my experience trying to plan these things, it's not worth talking about until about 15-days from launch.
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I've got plane tickets to fly in from Virginia for the launch... hopefully she'll go up before the 19th, that's my last day.
Hope we can all meet one day for lunch/dinner in Titusville!
We are also coming from VA - B-Day present for my Dad (70 yrs old) - will be our first launch - eagerly awaiting the tickets to go on sale. Problem is we need 5 adults so that means 2 transactions as the limit is 4 adults/transaction.
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I'm coming down as well for this launch. My first. We'd be interested in dinner the night before (or possibly earlier) as well.
That usually happens at Dixie Crossroads, a NASASpaceflight gathering of sorts :)
As for me, Everything pruchased and ready, this one will be my second launch. My other was 126
We will discuss a NSF dinner/get-together as we get closer to launch. In my experience trying to plan these things, it's not worth talking about until about 15-days from launch.
As much I as I would love o get together and talk NASA all day long with people who know what they are talking about, I don't feel comfortable as I am 14 and am going with my parents who would probably not enjoy it as much. I am sorry but maybe one day in the future when I am an astronaut. ;)
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Has anyone heard when launch tickets will be available to purchase? For previous launches I received an email saying they'd be availble one month before the launch. If STS-129 is launching on 11/12 I would have thought the tickets would be available tomorrow morning.
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I bet you will hear tomorrow from email that they will be going on sale Wednesday. That is my guess.
I have gotten confirmation that I am getting launch tickets from my congresswomen. Happy as can be.
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I just got the visitor center ticket email for Ares1-X on Friday. It sounds as if those tickets are on sale now thru Oct 15. So it may be they intent to sell out of those before starting STS-129 sales. But I'm anxiously awaiting this since I didn't get congressional tickets.
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Yes I saw the Ares 1X. Would love to go but too expensive and I would have to miss 2 more days of school
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I bet you will hear tomorrow from email that they will be going on sale Wednesday. That is my guess.
I have gotten confirmation that I am getting launch tickets from my congresswomen. Happy as can be.
If the previous missions are any indication, they always go on sale on a Monday.
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I feel like they were usually Wednesdays but I could be wrong.
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This may be of interest to those buying/getting tickets...call it a free 'upgrade' possibly if already planning on being there.
http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html
Free 'really good' tickets, and watch launch with the 'workers'...pretty cool opportunity, IMO. I'd do it if I *knew* I could travel those days. Heck, I'd hitchhike there, LOL!
Registration for the Tweetup thing is this coming Friday, I think
HTH,
Alex
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Yeah, that's a good opportunity. I only wish it would say where you could view it from, if it's from the causeway (assuming it is, as it doesn't say), then that's pretty darn good for free tickets.
It's October 16th at Noon (this Friday), check back and register.. hope you get in!
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Im a bit late to this thread. Can anyone tell me if I have missed the tickets going on sale. I havent got the KSC email for the last couple of launches. Thanks.
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No notice for tickets has arrived here either. Should be soon though.
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Yeah, that's a good opportunity. I only wish it would say where you could view it from, if it's from the causeway (assuming it is, as it doesn't say), then that's pretty darn good for free tickets.
It's October 16th at Noon (this Friday), check back and register.. hope you get in!
Ive enquired, its from the press site. Looks like it will be an amazing couple of days for the lucky 100 :(
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Yeah, that's a good opportunity. I only wish it would say where you could view it from, if it's from the causeway (assuming it is, as it doesn't say), then that's pretty darn good for free tickets.
It's October 16th at Noon (this Friday), check back and register.. hope you get in!
Ive enquired, its from the press site. Looks like it will be an amazing couple of days for the lucky 100 :(
That is great news! I just signed up today as soon as the form became available and I'm hoping that I'll be accepted to attend this. NASA has announced that they will notify the lucky first 100 on Monday.
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Anyone heard any news about when the tickets go on sale?
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"This week" according to their twitter feed.
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Just wondering if anybody is taking into account the report on this web site that the launch "may slip a few days" until the 17-19? I'm experiencing a fair amount of angst trying to decide which week to go down as I have to pull my kids out of school to go down. I would appreciate any experienced advice I could get.
Thanks
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Im coming all the way from Australia to see this launch! I was reading if you get causway tickets you need something mailed to you and they only mail to US addresses though?
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I also plan on being in town for this launch...my first..hoping and praying for congressional tickets but will happily buy causeway tickets if necessary!
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The tickets are going on sale at 9 am ET tomorrow.
The last time I bought them (Dec 2006 launch) they mailed them to the UK, but I suppose there may not be time for foreign mailing this time. I know they said they wouldn't for Ares 1-X, but they left the sale of those late as well..
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Driving all the way from Michigan to see my first launch. Has anyone done the "Dine With an Astronaut"? How does that go?
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I did for the STS-116 launch.
They laid on a buffet meal in the conference centre inside the KSC visitor centre, and an astronaut gave a talk and a video presentation about his flights while we were eating. There was a Q&A session and I think he wandered round the hall as well, talking to people.
The catering was a bit chaotic in terms of refilling the food trays, and there was a long queue to be admitted, but basically it was fine.
I'd guess there were several hundred people in the session, seated on tables of 8-10 from memory.
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The tickets are going on sale at 9 am ET tomorrow.
The last time I bought them (Dec 2006 launch) they mailed them to the UK, but I suppose there may not be time for foreign mailing this time.
Interestingly, the upcoming Royal Mail strike is going to cause havok with overseas post, so pick ups after arriving in the area might be best anyway.
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Interestingly, the upcoming Royal Mail strike is going to cause havok with overseas post, so pick ups after arriving in the area might be best anyway.
They send them by Fedex, so they ought to be safe from that. Unfortunately, all KSC say is that they will dispatch them "by Nov 2nd", and I'm leaving for Florida Nov 6th. I can't remember how long Fedex took to get the tickets here last time. I know it was quick, but how quick??? Problems, problems....
(That's assuming I can get tickets in the first place of course!)
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I've had mine posted to my hotel before in Orlando rather than the UK. Just phoned them (before I heard NET Nov 16th) and they said that was fine to do again... So thats an option...
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I just received an email saying the tickets go on sale Tuesday October 20th at 9:00AM ET.
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Interestingly, the upcoming Royal Mail strike is going to cause havok with overseas post, so pick ups after arriving in the area might be best anyway.
They send them by Fedex, so they ought to be safe from that. Unfortunately, all KSC say is that they will dispatch them "by Nov 2nd", and I'm leaving for Florida Nov 6th. I can't remember how long Fedex took to get the tickets here last time. I know it was quick, but how quick??? Problems, problems....
(That's assuming I can get tickets in the first place of course!)
Every set I have got came by UPS International. I would have thought you would be ok for getting them before you fly. I have in the past recieved them about a week after ordering.
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First time launch, flying in all the way from Chile. I had cleared 2 weeks of my schedule for this, but now only 1 attempt.....to risk it or not.
Does anyone keep track on how many times have there been launches on a first attempt? Should be around 20-30%?
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Odds don't matter, first attempt odds matter even less.
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OMG - I swear I took less than 90 sec to fill out the 3 pages and Causeway tickets were still SOLDOUT prior to 9:02 -- Oh well that why I've got hotel reservations at the Clarion in Titusville (we'll watch from the parking lot)
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Ah I had the same problem! They sold out so fast. However I put in my CC details and hit submit before I got a page that said "this item is no longer available". So I dont even know if I got a ticket or not??
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Ah I had the same problem! They sold out so fast. However I put in my CC details and hit submit before I got a page that said "this item is no longer available". So I dont even know if I got a ticket or not??
I also had exactly the same problem. I felt a bit of comfort when I initially clicked BUY as it said I had 8 mins to complete. I also completed in 90 seconds and recieved Tickets you requested are no longer available. I know ET is 5 hours behind us here in the UK but Im pretty sure a minute is still 60 seconds over there. I feel severely screwed over. I bet Gator Tours didnt have any problems getting their tickets. Can you tell I am slightly bitter! :(
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Yeah I was sure I had it because I thought for that 8mins the ticket was being held while we filled in our details, but obviously not? Now I have to find another good spot to view the launch from, however that seemed to be the best....
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Yeah, that whole "You will have eight ( 8 ) minutes to complete your order once you select items to your cart" thing is a flat-out lie. At 9:02 I was told it was sold out after completing all of the forms.
Took three tries (and two server timeouts) but I finally got a Visitor's Center ticket. So I've at least got a parking placard coming to me.
Sigh...
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I dont know if I am just the generic let down shuttle fan but the 8 minutes thing has really hacked me off. Ended up with a KSCVC ticket but no placard as it would only give me the print ticket at home option. Has anyone actually managed to get any LTT's??
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I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!
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I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!
I also bought an LTT ticket throught Gator. More expensive, but I come from Switzerland to watch the lauch, so that won't be much more expensive with plane tickets, hotels, etc.
But I'm disappointed with KSC website too, tickets were immediately sold out !! but they don't have a best choice to sell tickets, I guess...
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I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!
I also bought an LTT ticket throught Gator. More expensive, but I come from Switzerland to watch the lauch, so that won't be much more expensive with plane tickets, hotels, etc.
But I'm disappointed with KSC website too, tickets were immediately sold out !! but they don't have a best choice to sell tickets, I guess...
I dont think there is a shortage of Gator tickets. I have been in FL days before a launch and they have still been advertised. I think it is the lack of KSC buses to accomodate the tickets which make them limited. They are limited to how many bus seats they have on official buses as each bus only makes 1 trip. Therefore the remaining tickets are sub contracted out to Gator etc who mark them up to the hilt and make money of those of us who have missed out buying direct. I believe a few years ago they used to let cars on to the causeway and sell more tickets direct but sadly those days are gone :(
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Ok, I just bought Gator Tours/Graylines tickets for the causeway viewing as well. Pickup is a few blocks from our motel - but without a refund or causeway opportunity for next attempt once you get on the bus - without meals, earlier times - and more expensive than KSC Visitor Center sales. Oh well, my bitterness KSCVC sales process will pass eventually.
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Ok, I just bought Gator Tours/Graylines tickets for the causeway viewing as well. Pickup is a few blocks from our motel - but without a refund or causeway opportunity for next attempt once you get on the bus - without meals, earlier times - and more expensive than KSC Visitor Center sales. Oh well, my bitterness KSCVC sales process will pass eventually.
Not sure mine will :'(
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Same procedure as last year, but then the server was overloaded so I never got the chance to try to make a buy from KSVC.
This time I came prepared, sat on a T1 connection - had the page already loaded so when the buy icon appeared I immediately hit it - only to to be greeted by the message "This item is sold out" - then the local time was about 10 seconds past the stroke.
Sour grapes.. >:(
Last year I bought Gator tickets for the Hubble mission that was scrubbed - will probably try again for a flight that has a more generous launch window than STS 129.
/Mats, sweden
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Count me in as another failed purchaser. Got in immediately, apparently got tickets allocated, filled out the pages and then got to the end to be told they were sold out.
Well, well within the 8 minutes.
Gator is the Causeway viewers' friend it seems.
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yep it is a "live cart" which means have the info preloaded as much as possible ignore the 8 minute thing. type as fast as you can. I've not gotten in yet
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Count me in as another failed purchaser. Got in immediately, apparently got tickets allocated, filled out the pages and then got to the end to be told they were sold out.
Well, well within the 8 minutes.
Gator is the Causeway viewers' friend it seems.
For this, I HATE the Internet!
I saw two space shuttle launches in the early 1990's; Endeavour's maiden launch in May 1992 and a Columbia launch in February 1994 at the NASA causeway 6 miles away from pad.
For the 1992 launch I was going to LA to look for work, but when the Rodney King riots broke out I changed my plans. The launch was on a Thursday, I recall, and I called NASA the previous Monday and was told to buy my tickets on site a day or two before the launch. So, I flew to the Cape about two or three days prior to launch, bought my $7.00 bus ticket and saw a most wonderful launch, delayed 40 minutes. The sky was clear and I saw the SRB's separate. The flame from the SRB's were so yellow and bright, like looking in to the Sun. That image can't be captured on film (even IMAX) and forget about video.
In 1994, I did about the same thing. Now with the Internet, any one, any where can buy up these tickets whether they go or not (resale/auction). I've been unable to get any tickets on the NET.
I miss the good old days. If you want to see a launch, travel to the Cape and buy the ticket there.
Just my two cents.
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[/quote]
The sky was clear and I saw the SRB's separate. The flame from the SRB's were so yellow and bright, like looking in to the Sun. That image can't be captured on film (even IMAX) and forget about video.
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Totally agree. For 125 in May I watched through binoculars and had to look away because it was too bright (like looking at the sun but orange). Words cant describe the sight but you I cant disagree with anything you just said.
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Well, speak as you find.
After this afternoon's debacle (UK time), I emailed KSCVC to complain (politely).
This evening a lady rang me, explained that their server had fallen over under the demand, that she could see my transaction in the system, and sold me two Dine with an Astronaut/LTT tickets...
One happy bunny!!
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I too thought I had it made this morning when I clicked "Buy" and the page that came up told me I had 8 minutes to complete my order. I was done within a few seconds. The child ticket I was trying to buy was still available, but the adult tickets were gone. Guess I could've sent my 8 year old by himself.
I can vouch for the fact that Gator is a good way to go if you're lucky enough to be there for a mission that goes off on schedule. I used them for STS-125 in May. I was sick as a dog and the heat was brutal, but I wouldn't trade that day's experience for anything. Simply awesome!
If you're willing to take your chances on a non-refundable Gator ticket, and the launch does not get scrubbed, you're in for a heck of a show.
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Well, speak as you find.
After this afternoon's debacle (UK time), I emailed KSCVC to complain (politely).
This evening a lady rang me, explained that their server had fallen over under the demand, that she could see my transaction in the system, and sold me two Dine with an Astronaut/LTT tickets...
One happy bunny!!
I got a call from them too about 3 hours ago after emailing them. Im also sorted out now. I retract all my rants from today :)
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Glad to hear you all have your ticket issues sorted out! Hopefully the server will not collapse for STS 130 as I plan on taking my mom and it will be her first launch!
I will echo the advice though, have everything prefilled out to do a sort of copy and paste, much faster than typing and worked for me for STS 128; Of which tickets for that event sold in about 3 minutes.
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Thanks for posting all your trials...good lessons for when I go next November. :)
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I tried to sign up for that NASA Tweetup (http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html) with the launch viewing plus meet & greet. Talk about a fantastic opportunity! I registered less than 60 seconds after the form appeared, and fifteen minutes later NASA tweeted that they were still accepting registrations, so I thought I had it made. But they've already sent out the acceptance emails and I didn't get one. They must have some additional unspoken criteria beyond the first 100 responders. >:(
(and yes, I did keep watch on my junk mail folder)
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I tried to sign up for that NASA Tweetup (http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html) with the launch viewing plus meet & greet. Talk about a fantastic opportunity! I registered less than 60 seconds after the form appeared, and fifteen minutes later NASA tweeted that they were still accepting registrations, so I thought I had it made. But they've already sent out the acceptance emails and I didn't get one. They must have some additional unspoken criteria beyond the first 100 responders. >:(
(and yes, I did keep watch on my junk mail folder)
I had the exact same problem. I literally had been refreshing the page at NASA when the form appeared. I filled it out and had it submitted within 30 seconds but I didn't get an email. I agree that they must have had other criteria for evaluating who to invite. I had created my twitter account just the day before to try for this opportunity so I'm guessing they invited twitter users with more followers. Oh well, maybe next time!
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I tried to sign up for that NASA Tweetup (http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html) with the launch viewing plus meet & greet. Talk about a fantastic opportunity! I registered less than 60 seconds after the form appeared, and fifteen minutes later NASA tweeted that they were still accepting registrations, so I thought I had it made. But they've already sent out the acceptance emails and I didn't get one. They must have some additional unspoken criteria beyond the first 100 responders. >:(
(and yes, I did keep watch on my junk mail folder)
I had the exact same problem. I literally had been refreshing the page at NASA when the form appeared. I filled it out and had it submitted within 30 seconds but I didn't get an email. I agree that they must have had other criteria for evaluating who to invite. I had created my twitter account just the day before to try for this opportunity so I'm guessing they invited twitter users with more followers. Oh well, maybe next time!
Ok. But you both realize that if 150 people filled out the form in 29-seconds than you were both out of luck. It has nothing to do with when you open the form. It has everything to do with when you submit the form.
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I tried to sign up for that NASA Tweetup (http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html) with the launch viewing plus meet & greet. Talk about a fantastic opportunity! I registered less than 60 seconds after the form appeared, and fifteen minutes later NASA tweeted that they were still accepting registrations, so I thought I had it made. But they've already sent out the acceptance emails and I didn't get one. They must have some additional unspoken criteria beyond the first 100 responders. >:(
(and yes, I did keep watch on my junk mail folder)
I had the exact same problem. I literally had been refreshing the page at NASA when the form appeared. I filled it out and had it submitted within 30 seconds but I didn't get an email. I agree that they must have had other criteria for evaluating who to invite. I had created my twitter account just the day before to try for this opportunity so I'm guessing they invited twitter users with more followers. Oh well, maybe next time!
But did you guys received an e-mail from NASA telling you that they put you on a waiting list in the case a spot would become avaiable ? I received such an e-mail and I wonder if it means that I'm among the 50 first people following the 100 winners...
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Well, speak as you find.
After this afternoon's debacle (UK time), I emailed KSCVC to complain (politely).
This evening a lady rang me, explained that their server had fallen over under the demand, that she could see my transaction in the system, and sold me two Dine with an Astronaut/LTT tickets...
One happy bunny!!
I got a call from them too about 3 hours ago after emailing them. Im also sorted out now. I retract all my rants from today :)
I sent an email too, but I have no answer. So I bought a Gator ticket
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I tried to sign up for that NASA Tweetup (http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html) with the launch viewing plus meet & greet. Talk about a fantastic opportunity! I registered less than 60 seconds after the form appeared, and fifteen minutes later NASA tweeted that they were still accepting registrations, so I thought I had it made. But they've already sent out the acceptance emails and I didn't get one. They must have some additional unspoken criteria beyond the first 100 responders. >:(
(and yes, I did keep watch on my junk mail folder)
I had the exact same problem. I literally had been refreshing the page at NASA when the form appeared. I filled it out and had it submitted within 30 seconds but I didn't get an email. I agree that they must have had other criteria for evaluating who to invite. I had created my twitter account just the day before to try for this opportunity so I'm guessing they invited twitter users with more followers. Oh well, maybe next time!
Reading NASA webpage for this Tweetup, I think that they are looking for people with more followers and have posted a lot in twitter. I did not get an email too.
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I hope you guys don't mind a noob to NASASpaceFlight.now logging in here and sharing this. I plan to post here more in the future, so this isn't a flyby "neener-neener" type post, I promise. :)
I am one of the 100 lucky folks attending the STS-129 tweetup. I'm a life-long space geek and viewing a Shuttle launch live, in person, has been a life-long dream of mine. Super-geeked to be selected, and have never won anything like that in my life. Can't wait!
My blog post below includes info on the tweetup as well as some Twitter accounts you might want to follow (including my own: @Ageekmom on Twitter.com) if you're interested in receiving tweets from the 100 tweetup attendees.
http://geekhabitat.com/1862/attend-a-shuttle-launch-in-person-yes/
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Ok, I just bought Gator Tours/Graylines tickets for the causeway viewing as well. Pickup is a few blocks from our motel - but without a refund or causeway opportunity for next attempt once you get on the bus - without meals, earlier times - and more expensive than KSC Visitor Center sales. Oh well, my bitterness KSCVC sales process will pass eventually.
Well, based on other's success with an email compliant, I did the same last night. And this morning I too got a callback, and now have tickets for the 6am Dine with Astro and LTT to the causeway. Very Happy! Now I just to get a refund from Gator tours.
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Well, based on other's success with an email compliant, I did the same last night. And this morning I too got a callback, and now have tickets for the 6am Dine with Astro and LTT to the causeway. Very Happy! Now I just to get a refund from Gator tours.
I haven't tried for mine yet, but I did look at their T&Cs this morning and they are quite unequivocal that you can cancel up to 72 hours before a Shuttle launch tour with no cancellation fee. But you must get a cancellation number apparently.
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Hi
I know it wont help anyone from this time around but for people trying for the next launch, I managed to get 2 x Causeway tickets with 9am (ish) breakfast with an astronaut by having my page ready (just to hit refresh) and I use one of those auto form fillers which types in all my details which means I can have the form completed in a second.
I'm really looking forward to it as its my first launch, lets hope it goes on schedule as I'm coming from the UK - I'm still getting over the $42 ticket delivery charge, at least it isnt being sent by Royal Mail - website said UPS.
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Ok. But you both realize that if 150 people filled out the form in 29-seconds than you were both out of luck. It has nothing to do with when you open the form. It has everything to do with when you submit the form.
I understand that. If it had simply been a matter of not being fast enough, I would have been glum but accepting.
But as I said in my post, it wasn't like that. NASA tweeted 15 minutes later that they were still accepting submissions. That indicates to me, in retrospect, that although they may have received 100 submissions within the first 30 seconds, they didn't receive 100 that met their criteria - whether it was "more than X followers" or something else.
There was no indication on the NASA web page of any criteria beyond "be among the first 100 to sign up". That's what I'm upset about. :(
I hope you guys don't mind a noob to NASASpaceFlight.now logging in here and sharing this. I plan to post here more in the future, so this isn't a flyby "neener-neener" type post, I promise. :)
Congratulations! Please post lots of pictures when you attend. :)
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Hi. I've been lurking for the last month and after having the same problem many of you had getting causeway tickets (told the tickets were no longer available after filling out the form), I wrote an email to the address at that website and complained. I got an email back today asking for my phone number. I just got off the phone and they said there was indeed a problem with the website and they are trying to reach the people who had problems. They sold me 2 tickets for the causeway. Anyway, if you haven't made alternate plans, you might contact them and tell them what happened to you and you may also get lucky.
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Ok. But you both realize that if 150 people filled out the form in 29-seconds than you were both out of luck. It has nothing to do with when you open the form. It has everything to do with when you submit the form.
I thought I had made it since NASA made a tweet about accepting a few more entries many minutes after I had pressed submit. I'm not upset about it at all and I will absolutely try again next time! I think the tweetup is a great idea and I hope I'm luckier in the future.
But did you guys received an e-mail from NASA telling you that they put you on a waiting list in the case a spot would become avaiable ? I received such an e-mail and I wonder if it means that I'm among the 50 first people following the 100 winners...
Unfortunately, I did not receive the waiting list invitation either.
In any case, I'm happy for those that were selected and I look forward to hearing and seeing your reports!
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Not sure if anyone is interested but I may have 2 spare LTT tickets (possibly 3). 2 of our party cant afford the trip over from the UK. If anyone wants to discuss please PM me. Im not looking to make money I just think it would be criminal for these tickets to go to waste with how difficult they are to get (especially this time round)
Cheers.
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I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the STS-125 launch from the Causeway .... an awesome experience - if you have any chance in doing so, DO IT!
I'm actually happy that the date slipped to the 16th for this launch ... I'm going to be in Orlando at a conference for work.... I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Thanks - and good luck!!
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quote : Please post lots of pictures when you attend. :)
There will be plenty ;)
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I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Oh my goodness, YES! You'll be able to see it (as long as there are relatively clear skies).
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This is also STS-125, as seen from the Clarion in Titusville. You can see the full resolution in Max-Q's STS-125 launch gallery (http://www.maxqent.com/main.php?q=photography-gallery-sts125launch001.html) (there are more pictures, but these were the best 7).
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I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Oh my goodness, YES! You'll be able to see it (as long as there are relatively clear skies).
Not mine because I was at KSC but this is a fair idea of what you will see from Orlando on a clear day.
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I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the STS-125 launch from the Causeway .... an awesome experience - if you have any chance in doing so, DO IT!
I'm actually happy that the date slipped to the 16th for this launch ... I'm going to be in Orlando at a conference for work.... I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Thanks - and good luck!!
How zoomed in is this pic?
Just wondering.
I am confirmed for my congressional tickets so this will be my first adn I couldn't be more excited!
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I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the STS-125 launch from the Causeway .... an awesome experience - if you have any chance in doing so, DO IT!
I'm actually happy that the date slipped to the 16th for this launch ... I'm going to be in Orlando at a conference for work.... I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Thanks - and good luck!!
How zoomed in is this pic?
Just wondering.
I am confirmed for my congressional tickets so this will be my first adn I couldn't be more excited!
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're going to be absolutely blown away by the launch ... I know I was!!
I didn't zoom in at all on the computer side; what you see is what the camera took as far as size goes. I just cropped the picture and did some color adjustments.
I took this picture with a Sigma 50-500mm lens (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?navigator=3) (zoomed in to 500mm) on a Canon Digital Rebel XT.
I rented the lens - send me a private message here if you want to know where I rented it from online (they were excellent!)
Unfortunately, I wish I had a better camera body. The Rebel XT shoots 3 frames per second in JPEG mode, but only about 1 in RAW mode. So I made a decision to shoot JPEG, and my results just weren't as crisp as I would've liked. I know better now - I would've had no problem shooting in RAW, but I would've gotten less pictures of her leaping off the pad. That's a sacrifice I'd make next time. Live and learn.
I was on the Causeway, about 7 miles away or so, and it was quite a hot & hazy day.
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I won't be able to get over to the Cape, but will I be able to at least see it fly from Orlando?
Oh my goodness, YES! You'll be able to see it (as long as there are relatively clear skies).
Outstanding!! I'm in a 3-day meeting in Orlando that week, and so I imagine I can slip outside for a few minutes to catch the launch, but getting to the Cape just isn't really an option ...
So close - yet so far!!
Now I have to figure out how to get into the 3.5 mile press area for Atlantis' last launch... I saw STS-125; now I'll see STS-129. Just makes sense that NASA should pamper me for STS-132, right? ;-)
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Does anyone know for how many days before and after the launch Playalinda is closed to public? Thank you.
I have seen several pictures of the launch pads taken from Playalinda and it is a great view.
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Does anyone know for how many days before and after the launch Playalinda is closed to public? Thank you.
I have seen several pictures of the launch pads taken from Playalinda and it is a great view.
Usually 3 days.
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Does anyone know for how many days before and after the launch Playalinda is closed to public? Thank you.
I have seen several pictures of the launch pads taken from Playalinda and it is a great view.
Playalinda closures are post here:
http://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/park-closure-notices.htm
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I've got a spare (maybe 2) LTT tickets if anyone is interested :)
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Can anyone tell me what to expect once we're out on the causeway? Is there any place to sit? Do we bring a blanket to sit on? Is there any food or water that can be purchased? What are you allowed to bring?
Thanks.
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The Causeway is an open grass area. No seating is provided. You can bring folding seating with you - the "umbrella" type only. (These are on sale in the Visitor Centre beforehand for a few dollars if you haven't got them.) A blanket would be fine.
There are some stalls set up for basic refreshments, and souvenirs. Also portable toilets, IIRC.
You can bring whatever gets through the initial KSC security. No sharp objects, weapons, hard sided coolers.... (There's a list somewhere on the KSC site. If you can't find it, shout, and I'll dig it out.)
The Causeway's basic, but not totally desolate. But the view is fantastic! (All that based on my sole experience - STS-116.)
Most of all, everyone's friendly, there for the same reason as you, and having the time of their lives!
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Can anyone tell me what to expect once we're out on the causeway? Is there any place to sit? Do we bring a blanket to sit on? Is there any food or water that can be purchased? What are you allowed to bring?
Thanks.
I'll second what Nick said - bring a few umbrella-type lawn chairs, and maybe an umbrella for the heat.
The stall (at least the one by me for STS-125) ran out of stuff pretty quickly so I'd suggest being prepared with something to eat & drink. We stopped at a local Subway the night before, got a few sandwiches and some big bottles of water, and packed the sandwiches on ice - I used the laundry bag in the closet of our hotel room to hold the ice ... worked out great.
... and don't forget your camera!
As Nick said - everyone is out there having the time of their lives... we had a BLAST; we ended up sitting next to Mike Massimino's eye doctor. (Funny story about how he lost his glasses a few days before STS-125!) We had so much fun with the folks around us ... it was just great!
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Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I was at the STS128 launch and chairs in the KSC gift shop for $20 which I thought was very reasonable. However, there were only a few there and I am not sure if they are 'hot' items around launch time!
Paul
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Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
pvmeistrel, the 2-day pass for the tickets is just so you have an extra day at KSC really. I'd say for 128 I used my ticket 5 times to get in KSC thanks to the scrubs and I was still allowed in. For some people they just gave them a new ticket. Example, say you go the day before to catch the up close tour and then you come back for the day of the launch and while there it gets scrubbed, if you haven't left on the busses yet your golden and your tickets are still good. Now if you have already boarded the busses, you get a piece of paper allowing you to buy a new LTT ticket for $21.95 I believe it is and when you get that they will give you a new visitors center pass if you tell them you've already used the 2 you were alotted. Don't forget to see the Astronaut Hall of Fame with your ticket as well! Hope that helps.
If you are worried about bringing in a large bag, you can always buy one at the vistors center once you are inside. They had totes and backpacks the last time I was there.
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Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
My recollection from STS-116 is that the umbrella chairs suddenly appeared on launch day. Stalls got set up outdoors in the Visitor Centre, and in a marquee I think, near the Rocket Garden. They were selling the chairs, blankets, sweat shirts etc. There was quite a lot of stock, obviously not infinite, though.
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
I really worried about this one, especially since I was on my own last time so had no-one to offload anything to. On the actual launch day, I carried in a largish camera bag (couple of SLR bodies, several lenses, etc, etc), a pair of binoculars, a good sturdy camera tripod, and the folding umbrella chair that I'd bought two days earlier (when the launch was scrubbed). Plus a heavy coat - it was a night launch. I had no trouble at all.
This is purely my take on the situation: the KSCVC security people were very friendly and helpful - not like at an airport ;-). They know you're there to enjoy the launch, take pictures etc. If you're carrying a reasonable amount of stuff commensurate with doing that, you'll get no trouble. The large bag rule is there to give them an "out" if faced with someone who's going totally over the top. As I say, that's purely my opinion...
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Question on security: is the security screening immediately upon parking/entry to the visitor center, or is later when boarding the bus to the causeway?
Since we have the 6:30 breakfast with astro tickets, the above is probably 4-5 hours different for us, and if the former, then is there any alternative to carrying all our stuff around the visitor center for all that time?
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Normally security will do their thing about 10 feet inside the doors to the visitor center, not sure if there is anything additional during launch days though
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
I think this link can help you:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/LTT.aspx
and if you check the KSCVC web several days before the launch date I think that they post on it more information about arriving time. I have no idea about traffic. This will be my first launch.
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Since we have the 6:30 breakfast with astro tickets, the above is probably 4-5 hours different for us, and if the former, then is there any alternative to carrying all our stuff around the visitor center for all that time?
When I was there, you could go back to your car. I can't remember how that was managed - with a hand stamp, I think.
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Normally security will do their thing about 10 feet inside the doors to the visitor center, not sure if there is anything additional during launch days though
Nothing additional for 116.
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
If you've got a LTT, you get given an arrival time IIRC. Can't help you with traffic - I only drove in from Titusville, and it was three years ago, before Shuttle launches got to the "last few stock remaining" stage.
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I've got a spare (maybe 2) LTT tickets if anyone is interested :)
I'll come if the launch gets scrubbed on the 16th and i cant use my expensive gator tickets ;D I'll pay you too!
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
For STS-128, I drove from Tampa several times over to KSC. Each time took about 3 hours or so. I would make sure you give yourself the 3 hours plus make sure you get to your viewing site a couple of hours early so you get good spots.
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
For STS-128, I drove from Tampa several times over to KSC. Each time took about 3 hours or so. I would make sure you give yourself the 3 hours plus make sure you get to your viewing site a couple of hours early so you get good spots.
Hehehe.... for STS-125, I camped out for about 2 hours in front of the Tour entrance. They had it roped off and didn't want anyone blocking the entrance, but we were off to the side and the security folks were really great about it .... they realize how excited you are!
I felt like a mule; between my dad and I, we brought two chairs, 3 cameras, one stupidly-heavy lens (Sigma 50-500mm), three tripods, two sandwiches, two huge bottles of water, and a pair of binoculars. It was heavy but we just lumped it and we were fine!
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I hope you guys don't mind a noob to NASASpaceFlight.now logging in here and sharing this. I plan to post here more in the future, so this isn't a flyby "neener-neener" type post, I promise. :)
I am one of the 100 lucky folks attending the STS-129 tweetup. I'm a life-long space geek and viewing a Shuttle launch live, in person, has been a life-long dream of mine. Super-geeked to be selected, and have never won anything like that in my life. Can't wait!
My blog post below includes info on the tweetup as well as some Twitter accounts you might want to follow (including my own: @Ageekmom on Twitter.com) if you're interested in receiving tweets from the 100 tweetup attendees.
http://geekhabitat.com/1862/attend-a-shuttle-launch-in-person-yes/
Ditto on this, I'll also be attending the Tweetup. I'll do my best to post updates and pictures throughout the event: @Kabong. (http://www.twitter.com/kabong/)
Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I've been to KSC three times for shuttle launches and have not ever had an issue with bringing bags in. Specifically, I usually bring an over the shoulder bag with a folding chair, tripod over the shoulder bag, a bag for camera + lenses and sometimes a Publix grocery store bag with some food + drink. As said before, the security folks are pretty friendly and if for some reason they turn you around because the bag doesn't meet their criteria, it's not that far of a walk to the parking lot to put it back in your vehicle.
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Here's some info from our STS-125 launch trip:
Pre-Launch viewing:
Playalinda beach will be closed 3 days prior to the launch.
Space View Park in Titusville is the best place to view the pads from. It's 12+ miles from the pads, but a direct line of sight. Make sure you have a BIG lens for your camera. 400mm or longer is highly recommended, with a sturdy tripod. Lenses are available for rent from many companies on the internet.
We had a group of NSF folks meet in Titusville for dinner at Dixie Crossroads restaurant.
Day of launch:
Find out for sure where your viewing point is. (Causeway, Saturn 5 center, KSC visitor ctr., etc.)
When we were down for STS-125, we had causeway tix through Gator tours. This was a bus pickup in Orlando to the KSC visitor center. If you are bringing folding chairs, soft sided coolers, etc, put them in the cargo hold of the bus.
Once arriving at KSC Visitor Center you will have to clear through a security screening in order to enter the visitor complex.
Most likely, you will have some time to tour the attractions. I recommend doing the Shuttle Launch Experience as soon as you arrive to help avoid long lines and to make sure you can get back on your bus in time.
While you are touring the visitor center, the bus you arrived on will go through a security screening to check for weapons, explosives, etc. We were able to leave items on the bus and they were there waiting for us. If you are bringing folding chairs, small coolers etc. put them in the cargo hold of the bus. They will be inspected, and if safe, allowed to remain on the bus for the trip to the causeway. Once the bus is cleared it will be directed to a secure parking area to await your return.
The line to get back on your bus for transport to the causeway is the same lines they use for the KSC "Then & Now" and "Up Close" tours. There was little in the way of signage or directions to inform you of this. Take my word, you will be able to get on the same bus you arrived on.
Recommended items to bring:
-Camera gear (Lots of it) I borrowed another D-SLR body from a friend so that I was able to have multiple lenses operating at the same time.
- 3G enabled device - To get to NSF of Course!
-Umbrella type folding chairs - NOT metal folding lawn chairs
-Soft side cooler to hold drinks, cold sandwiches. ### ITEM TO NOTE ### Hot dogs and drinks were available on the causeway, but 45 minutes in line for a limit of 6 waters in 97 degree hot sun was not fun. ### Depending on the time of the launch, concessions may not be provided on the causeway. ###
-Sunscreen
-Small folding umbrella for shade.
-Small folding shade shelter - these generally sell for about $25-30 and are the small folding type you would typically see on the beach. No more than 40" or so in height.
-Hand towels from the hotel - It's hot, you're going to sweat. Plus they can be used to cover your camera gear to help keep it cool to avoid heat distortion of the focal elements.
Post-Launch Activities:
Playalinda beach will be open 1-2 days after the launch.
From the parking area at Playalinda beach to the KSC fence on the beach is approximately 1 mile.
The "Then & Now" and "Up Close" tours were running 2 days after the launch.
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If it looks good for the 16th I'll be driving from Tampa, if anyone wishes to carpool. I'm too poor to get tickets but I am plotting on setting up a view camera in titusville.
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I hate to bring this up, but any comments on Tropical Storm Ida? This will be my 3rd time trying to see a launch. I'm trying Gator tours this time...
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I hate to bring this up, but any comments on Tropical Storm Ida? This will be my 3rd time trying to see a launch. I'm trying Gator tours this time...
Just saw a forecast, Ida is expected to remain in the Gulf of Mexico as an extra-tropical low pressure system.
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I hope so, but the synoptic winds will be fairly strong along a front that is now forecast to be in N. Florida when Ida does become extra-tropical. Let's hope it moves faster than now forecast and is out of the area by then.
Almost no storms all year, and now one in November...
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue? I am guessing there will be an FRR or MMT meeting?
I am thinking of travelling from the UK for my 3rd attempt to see a launch.
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue? I am guessing there will be an FRR or MMT meeting?
The Flight Readiness Review(s) already occurred; this will be reviewed at the L-2 Mission Management Team meeting, which I believe is currently set for November 14.
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When do you normally receive your Congressional tickets? We are almost a week away from launch (Can't believe we are already so close!) and I haven''t gotten my tickets yet. I won't be leaving till the day of launch anyway cause I am only in Tampa but I just want to make sure it is all normal. Thanks!
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they do not send out Congressional tickets. you will receive a email telling you where to meet at for the bus (sears).
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The NASASpaceflight/MaxQEntertainment video and photographer team is now in Titusville preparing for our STS-129 launch coverage. Thought we'd give you a shot tonight from across the river. This is from the Clarion hotel.
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And two more we got from fiddling around late at night..... :)
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Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Regarding the folding chairs. My son and I flew to Orlando and stopped at a Walmart near the Orlando airport to pick up a couple of $10 umbrella style chairs for the STS 127 launch. We carried them around all week and then ended up giving them to our bus driver after the successful launch.
I used this site and tripadvisor a lot to get ready. I put a detail report out on the tripadvisor site
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60751-i2474-k2959163-Space_shuttle_launch_trip_report_STS_127_Endeavour-Titusville_Florida.html
We made 3 trips with our LTT tickets before seeing the launch. It seems we took less and less with us each time. We also starting waiting longer and longer to get on the busses each time.
The secuirty check is right insider the door of the Visitor Center - there was no additional security check before you get on the LTT busses - but they make you take everything with you. We took a small soft sided cooler with drinks - we always brought some back unused. I really had just our chairs, the cooler, our camera bag and another small bag with a few snacks and reading material. The more you bring in the more you have to deal with carrying it around the Vicsitor Center and haing to watch it.
n
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue?
They want their data in by Nov 11, but as noted above, the L-2 (days) MMT is the main overview: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-atlantis-ordnance-mei-evaluations-continuing/
We're not expecting this to be a problem for the launch date. SSP just doesn't leave any stone unturned (which is awesome) and we simply cover everything for shuttle....which is why we're doing a fair bit of coverage on this.
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Hello,
I want to use a tripod to take pictures of the launch, as it apparently is possible. Are there any size limits to be admitted ? My tripod is 67.5 cm heigh when folded.
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Hello,
I want to use a tripod to take pictures of the launch, as it apparently is possible. Are there any size limits to be admitted ? My tripod is 67.5 cm heigh when folded.
I saw more than few large tripods. I think you should be ok. It seemed to be mostly about carrying it on to the bus and being able to store it in the overhead storage area.
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Ok. That magical time of the year is here again! Its Shuttle launch time!
For those of you who are planning on attending the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-129 next week, and who are interested in joining myself and three of the MaxQent.com members for an NSF dinner after launch on Monday, please send me a PM with your name and cell phone number that I can reach you at next Monday.
The dinner plan:
Where: Dixie Crossroads (thats a seafood place in Titusville).
When: 4 hours after liftoff (~6:30p.m.) on MONDAY, November 16. (NOTE #1: If we should scrub on this day for weather or a technical reason, we WILL still meet for dinner on this day. NOTE #2: If Atlas should scrub on November 14 and try again on November 15, this will push the NET launch date of STS-129 to Tuesday, November 17. If this occurs, we WILL meet for dinner at 6p.m. on NOVEMBER 17.)
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STS-129 leaped over my Vacation window. Does anyone know how the Shuttle being on the pad and the proximity to launch effect the "NASA up close" tours? For example will I be able to go to the A/B Camera stop anytime from Nov 12-15?
I'm going to be there, but it would be nice to know like does the tour stop short 48 hours before launch etc. Then I could decide to hit KSC on the 13th instead of the 14th.
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Does anyone know what time KSCVC opens on launch day?
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AFIAK, KSC VC is closed to the public on launch day unless you have the causeway tickets.
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Any car without a placard is not admitted past security and therefore can't even get to KSCVC parking (I believe placards are issued for buying causeway or VC viewing tickets for launch day). My placard says to arrive at 6am, so I assume they're open by then.
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Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
Have tickets to view from VC (no chance of getting Causeway this time as it was sold in seconds), the KSC website has issued tickets as print at home to the UK so no placard but it says may need to show tickets at any security to the car parks.
Reason for asking - the press release says roads between Hall of Fame and VC close at 8.30am for launch which is earlier than the last arrival time on my tickets so thinking we need to be there well in advance but don't want to get turned away by security.
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Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
I've got Causeway tickets and a placard for arrival no later than 8 am if that helps.
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Hello,
I want to use a tripod to take pictures of the launch, as it apparently is possible. Are there any size limits to be admitted ? My tripod is 67.5 cm heigh when folded.
That's almost exactly the same folded size as mine (an old Slik Black Diamond) and I had no trouble whatsover.
(Well, actually, I got it hopelessly tangled up in the little bits of elastic at the front of the rack, but that's not what you're asking...)
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Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
I've got Causeway tickets and a placard for arrival no later than 8 am if that helps.
Thanks. Not sure about the placard, had them before, have emailed to double check as this is my 3rd go and even though I couldn't get Causeway, still don't want to miss it from as close as I can get.
Last time I went I had no problems with my camera bags etc but was asked to show my cameras working - folks on security were friendly so was no probs.
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Our placard says arrive before 7am. We'll be driving up from Cocoa Beach- Comfort Inn. Is Hwy 3 on Merritt Island open on launch day? Do we allow an extra hour for traffic?? What time should we leave Cocoa Beach that morning?
Anyone heard what the long range forecasts for upper level winds, etc are suppose to be for launch day?
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Last time I went I had no problems with my camera bags etc but was asked to show my cameras working - folks on security were friendly so was no probs.
Yes, I was asked to do that - it caused a bit of confusion as one of my camera bodies was film, so there was no little screen to light up. Everything was OK once I reminded the guy what film was...
To everyone who's posted here worrying about they can take: relax! As Hutch100 says, the security people at KSC VC are friendly - they want you to have a good time... It's not an airport... They don't seem like jobsworths...
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Is anybody planning to go to Space View Park on Sunday night?
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Sadly I don't have a LTT just a ticket for the visitors centre - anyone seen launches from both the VC & Titusville and can say which they thought was the best view?
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Hutch - you can see the shuttle on the pad at Space View Park. I was told that you can't see the first 30 seconds or so from the VC because you're behind the trees.
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Hi Everyone,
Glad I just found this board. We're flying down for STS-129 and I just had a few questions.
We're staying on Disney property (making this a dual Disney/launch trip). What time do you think we should leave the Lake Buena Vista area to make the 7am arrival time that we received for security? Will we hit traffic that early? Thanks!
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Hi, if you are referring to the arrival time designated on your placard you received, they don't hold you to that time. I think that is given so everyone doesn't pile into the lot at the same time. You do want to get there pretty early as you will be standing in line, and then another line, but the time they designate on those is very early, I get causeway tickets for every launch and never had a problem arriving whenever I do.
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Thanks guys..... yup, we have causeway tickets and the time on our placard said to arrive by 7am. Looks like it'll be a fabulously early morning :)
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I have the Congressional Passes for this flight and we will stay in Titusville.Any idea of what time I need to leave for the mall.They said to be at the mall at 9am. If I leave about 5am maybe not a lot of traffic ? Thanks
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i would leave no later than 3 a.m
You're not going to hit four hours of traffic that early. Leave around 5-530.
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I have congressional passes as well for this one. There is no huge rush hour around Titusville at all, Merritt Island may be busier but not enough to justify four hours. I'd allow for an hour, maybe hour and a half, at most.
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It takes at least an hour to get to KSC from Disney. And you probably want to get there a tad early. I'd say give yourself two hours and you'll be fine. I wouldn't imagine there'd be any significant traffic at that time of morning, even with a launch later in the day.
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down us 1 from titusville to causeway that takes you to Merrit isl mall sears on a non shuttle day half hour max, and you will not be driving with flow so not much more time i'd think a little construction on us1 in cocoa. that said there are a few restraunts around mall denny's etc if you get there way early. having done the bus ,be there about 30 minutes before time they quote
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Me and my dad have decided to drive over to KSC tonight so we don't hit traffic in the morning on I-4.
Can any suggest a place to go see the stack tonight after RSS retract like 9? Is there any where that you can really see it clearly?
Thanks
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One more thing. What is the difference between the Causeway viewing site and the Causeway VIP viewing site for congressional tickets? Is there a difference?
Thanks
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Me and my dad have decided to drive over to KSC tonight so we don't hit traffic in the morning on I-4.
Can any suggest a place to go see the stack tonight after RSS retract like 9? Is there any where that you can really see it clearly?
Thanks
Spaceboy,
There's really not a good place to see the stack as it's still pretty much going to be hidden by the FSS from any good vantage point. Merritt Island NWR is closed by this point, so you can't venture down Playalinda Beach. I suggest heading to the little parking area on the Max Brewer Parkway causeway that heads out toward the center. You'll at least be able to see the pad with the xenons on and the VAB. I'm thinking of trekking out from MCO myself tonight to check it out from there.
Also there's generally no difference between "causeway" and "causeway VIP." Causeway is causeway, but it's still good. On somewhat rare occasions (usually for multiple scrubs in the tourist off-season) they'll bus the congressional visitors out to Banana Creek. But that's unlikely for tomorrow.
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Me and my dad have decided to drive over to KSC tonight so we don't hit traffic in the morning on I-4.
Can any suggest a place to go see the stack tonight after RSS retract like 9? Is there any where that you can really see it clearly?
Thanks
Spaceboy,
There's really not a good place to see the stack as it's still pretty much going to be hidden by the FSS from any good vantage point. Merritt Island NWR is closed by this point, so you can't venture down Playalinda Beach. I suggest heading to the little parking area on the Max Brewer Parkway causeway that heads out toward the center. You'll at least be able to see the pad with the xenons on and the VAB. I'm thinking of trekking out from MCO myself tonight to check it out from there.
Also there's generally no difference between "causeway" and "causeway VIP." Causeway is causeway, but it's still good. On somewhat rare occasions (usually for multiple scrubs in the tourist off-season) they'll bus the congressional visitors out to Banana Creek. But that's unlikely for tomorrow.
Thank you. Well I think I will be leaving with in the next hour or so. Looking forward to a great launch!
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Me and my dad have decided to drive over to KSC tonight so we don't hit traffic in the morning on I-4.
Can any suggest a place to go see the stack tonight after RSS retract like 9? Is there any where that you can really see it clearly?
Thanks
Spaceboy,
There's really not a good place to see the stack as it's still pretty much going to be hidden by the FSS from any good vantage point. Merritt Island NWR is closed by this point, so you can't venture down Playalinda Beach. I suggest heading to the little parking area on the Max Brewer Parkway causeway that heads out toward the center. You'll at least be able to see the pad with the xenons on and the VAB. I'm thinking of trekking out from MCO myself tonight to check it out from there.
Also there's generally no difference between "causeway" and "causeway VIP." Causeway is causeway, but it's still good. On somewhat rare occasions (usually for multiple scrubs in the tourist off-season) they'll bus the congressional visitors out to Banana Creek. But that's unlikely for tomorrow.
Thank you. Well I think I will be leaving with in the next hour or so. Looking forward to a great launch!
I like the view from the port. Take the beeline, exit Port "A" where the cruise ships are, go over the drawbridge and head towards the airforce gate. There's a stop light on that road. Pull over on the north side by that light and check it out. Not sure if it's legal to pull over there but you're 11 miles from the pad and if the xenons are on and you have binoculars, it should be quite pretty.
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I have just signed up for 25 mb of data for my phone so I can have internet access while over there. Does anyone use internet on there phone and know roughly how much data this website pulls especially on launch day with all the pics?
Thanks
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Completely depends on how often you refresh. Many of the snapshots are quite small, so shouldn't be a big deal.
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Thanks Rdale. :)
I am about to leave to KSC now. Look forward to seeing the launch maybe I will see some fellow forum members. :)
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I was told earlier in summer all congressional guest would be at banana creek site (3.9 miles west of 39a) causeway does have a couple bleachers on west end a little closer to pad
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How long after launch do the SRB's come into port, and where's the best place to see them?
I'm driving down to Florida on Friday the 20th, so I'll miss the launch (even if it gets delayed to the 20th) but there's still a chance I could see the boats tow the SRBs in. I just checked the STS-125/127/128 threads and there was just one mention of them coming in about 2 days after launch. What is typical? 48 hours? Daytime only?
And where is the best place to see them? I know there's a lock somewhere that I've seen pictured here before. Where is that, and is it accessible to the public?
(and in case it hasn't already been mentioned here, Ben Cooper has the best advice on launch viewing (http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html))
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How long after launch do the SRB's come into port, and where's the best place to see them?
I've been told that the best place to see them is the lock at Port Canaveral which I believe is the lock at 28.409169N, 80.638671W. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).
However, I've not found any way of determining when the ships will come in. I've been told normally a day or two after launch, but it can be several days depending on the sea state at the recovery site, which affects their ability to recover the boosters.
The only advice I have received is to go down to the lock and ask the lock master when he is expecting the Freedom/Liberty Star in.
If anyone knows any other way of finding out, please, please share it!!!
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Due to rough water from all the offshore winds the past few days, it's possible that they won't recover them for a few days anyways.
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Thanks Nick for the good info! I guess you can drive down Mullet Road and get a view from the south side?
A few days delay will be fine with me. As it stands, I'm expecting a launch on Monday, and then only a day or two of SRB delay leading to them entering no later than Friday which means I'll likely miss them. But I'll be watching here for news ...
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Disappointed not to see Atlantis flying over the UK from launch tonight....would this be because she was submerged in Earth's shadow?
Nick
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View from the SR 528 Causeway on Merritt Island.
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More
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and the last two...
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Mike's pics are better than mine, but here's a couple!
This was my first launch viewing after years of just watching via NTV. The most impressive difference (at least for me) was the colors in the exhaust: both the SRBs which is much oranger and brighter than any camera image I've ever seen, plus after SRB sep, the SMEs are also bluer than I've seen in any image.
Great viewing today on the causeway! Weather was perfect (for viewing) with broken clouds to keep the sun from being too hot, and with a nice breeze off the river.
If you ever had any doubt! You must see a launch for real! But you'd better hurry to see a shuttle. Only 5 left!
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If you ever had any doubt! You must see a launch for real! But you'd better hurry to see a shuttle. Only 5 left!
I know I know...next year!
Nice pics everyone.
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@JackB - Where were you? I was on the causeway at the 2nd Merritt Island exit (counting from the mainland).
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I posted a few choice shots from the launch-
http://our.rocketryplanet.com/photo/albums/sts129-launch-from-vab-turn
And attached is one not included in that gallery.
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@JackB - Where were you? I was on the causeway at the 2nd Merritt Island exit (counting from the mainland).
We were on the causeway where KSC VC buses people in with LTT tickets. That's navigation marker #37 directly between us and the pad.
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So the bad news was that I was stuck working at a conference in Orlando today at launch time while here on my first trip to Florida. :( The good news is that the launch was surprisingly visible from the parking lot of my hotel! In fact, I was really surprised at how well defined the exhaust plume and smoke trail were given the 59.1 miles between me and KSC.
Boy does that thing head upstairs in a hurry! And the orange part of the exhaust plume looked like it was about 10+ shuttle lengths long, which is something you really don't get a sense of while watching on NASA TV! I think I'll definitely try to come back for one more launch before the program ends...
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Joined just to post these. If there's a more appropriate forum, I'm sure the mods can fix my guess.
These were taken at ~2:26pm EST, ~80mi north of Canaveral, from an altitude of ~25K ft. Pilot was nice enough to deviate right so we could see the whole show.
(http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4126/flightpath.th.jpg) (http://img510.imageshack.us/i/flightpath.jpg/)(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/8894/img0633i.th.jpg) (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/img0633i.jpg/)(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4223/img0634o.th.jpg) (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/img0634o.jpg/)(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1654/img0635.th.jpg) (http://img696.imageshack.us/i/img0635.jpg/)
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Nice! A different vantage point we don't often get to see.
Welcome to the forum!
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Joined just to post these. If there's a more appropriate forum, I'm sure the mods can fix my guess. These were taken at ~2:26pm EST, ~80mi north of Canaveral, from an altitude of ~25K ft. Pilot was nice enough to deviate right so we could see the whole show.
Jesus, that may be the best First Post ever! Congratulations. I've seen the VAB from the air, but ... oh my god, what luck, and how nice of the pilot to do that (and risk annoying ATC in the process).
Also, hey hey kids!
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Hi!
What a launch. Think it was even louder than the STS-125 launch.
Here's some of my pictures from the NASA Causeway.
Hope you like them.
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For the record, here's what was transcribed from the briefing over in the live thread:
LeRoy: "Boosters back on Thursday, open assessment on Friday. Sent a chase plane out to watch the boosters and follow both boosters, and focus on one booster to splashdown."
So I won't get to see the boosters come in, as I'm driving down Friday. Oh well, now I start hoping for landing!
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For the record, here's what was transcribed from the briefing over in the live thread
The estimated times were posted in an article this morning at http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-tps-inspections-fd2-photos-extremely-clean-et-133/
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Thanks. I guess that means they'll go through the lock an hour or so earlier. I may go down today and see if I can find any more out.
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SRBs are coming thru the port right now
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4117398350_3033ea7161.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4116629481_de82ed67a9.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/4116630373_8e793ef79b.jpg)
SRB Sep:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/4116632589_31eae75cd4.jpg)
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Absolutely fantastic!!
What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Absolutely fantastic!!
What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?
Thank you!!
Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens. Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it.
The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away. I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses! My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Is it possible to view the photos in High Resolution ???
Great photos, thanks
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Absolutely fantastic!!
What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?
Thank you!!
Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens. Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it.
The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away. I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses! My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!
Cool, thanks.
yeah the Sigma 500mm F2.8 from just BEGS to be bought with a second mortgage...lol
My 300mm F4 would be dwarfed, even with my 2X tele. Need more glass!
For me, I need to hear it. Pictures are one thing (for sentimental value) but I want to feel and hear it as well...like basking in the sun. :)
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Is it possible to view the photos in High Resolution ???
Great photos, thanks
Thanks! I don't have the high res photos uploaded yet. I'll see if I can upload them tonight and come back and post the links.
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Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...
Absolutely fantastic!!
What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?
Thank you!!
Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens. Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it.
The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away. I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses! My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!
Cool, thanks.
yeah the Sigma 500mm F2.8 from just BEGS to be bought with a second mortgage...lol
My 300mm F4 would be dwarfed, even with my 2X tele. Need more glass!
For me, I need to hear it. Pictures are one thing (for sentimental value) but I want to feel and hear it as well...like basking in the sun. :)
Totally agree... being there is completely different! But I love having the photos to remember everything.
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Here is the view from my position (Astronaut Road). I chose a North West position to primarily focus on the orbiter after her roll program i.e. when is on her back and curving up. I tried to caption them so one gets an idea of the action in the pic too (not that it needs much explanation)
I was about 3.9 miles (appox) and I used a Canon 1 Ds Mk III with a 600mm L IS (handheld). Here it is...and i got a ton more..
Hope the dimensions dont screw up the thread (sorry in advance for that).
1.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9724Qnam.jpg)
2.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9726anam.jpg)
3.
http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9734wwnam.jpg (http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9734wwnam.jpg)
4.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9739ssnam.jpg)
5.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9754anam.jpg)
6.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9758aanam.jpg)
7.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9776aanam.jpg)
8.
(http://www.iloveplanets.com/sts%20129/4A6U9832nam.jpg)
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Here is the view from my position (Astronaut Road). I chose a North West position to primarily focus on the orbiter after her roll program i.e. when is on her back and curving up. I tried to caption them so one gets an idea of the action in the pic too (not that it needs much explanation)
I was about 3.9 miles (appox) and I used a Canon 1 Ds Mk III with a 600mm L IS (handheld). Here it is...and i got a ton more..
Hope the dimensions dont screw up the thread (sorry in advance for that).
Wow -- those are great shots.
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Hope the dimensions dont screw up the thread (sorry in advance for that).
Please attach the photo's next time and do not embed them in the tread.
Great photos, realy love them !!
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Thought i would add mine now that i have had a little time to go threw them. Video later. All from the causeway. I had a great time!
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For those of you who are planning on attending the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-129 next week, and who are interested in joining myself and three of the MaxQent.com members for an NSF dinner after launch on Monday, please send me a PM with your name and cell phone number that I can reach you at next Monday.
The dinner plan:
Where: Dixie Crossroads (that’s a seafood place in Titusville).
When: 4 hours after liftoff (~6:30p.m.) on MONDAY, November 16.
Sorry this took a week to post, but here are a couple of pics of us at Dixie Crossroads. It was great to meet up with you guys! Note: Rockshrimp are excellent!
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Sorry this took a week to post, but here are a couple of pics of us at Dixie Crossroads. It was great to meet up with you guys! Note: Rockshrimp are excellent!
No prob on the late post, we've a bit busy ourselves, enjoyed meeting all of you.
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So, entering now into (possibly) the final phase of this thread ... landing!
I'm in Florida, 150 miles south of KSC, and will be driving up to KSC on Friday morning. I can not drive up sooner than that. With nominal landing time around 9:45am, I was wondering how close to KSC I would need to get to hear the sonic boom. Here are some random quotes that I got from Googling around.
"I live 100miles south of the Cape just north of West Palm Beach (across from Lake Okeechobee) and even though the Shuttle is still invisible at 80,000ft there the house rattles from the double sonic booms as it goes over. Anywhere in West Palm, Stuart, Vero Beach, Melbourne and up to Titusville you'll know when it goes over."
"Altitude is irrelevant; when coming in over the US on past missions, it could be heard even at 40 miles altitude during entry." (that's 200,000+ feet)
"Those who live near and around the Kennedy Space Center are accustomed to hearing the double booms of a returning shuttle, but those located under and close to the Shuttle path, perhaps all the way back to the Pacific coast, may also hear the booms as well. "
"From a location in the nation's midsection or over the northwest United States, where the altitude of the shuttle will be in the range of 100,000 to 200,000-feet, it will take time for the shock wave to propagate down to the ground. Sound travels at roughly 1,100-feet per second, so depending on where you live relative to the track, it could be anywhere from 90 to 180 seconds after the shuttle has passed on by before you hear anything."
Obviously those last two are from a landing of a mission whose groundtrack took it across the US, which isn't likely this time, but they do illustrate that the sonic boom is apparently still heard even when the shuttle is that high up, thousands of miles away from KSC.
Can someone comment on these are all accurate? What about crossrange distance?
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So I put this picture up on a popular site. I also made an appeal in the caption. ;-)
http://www.airliners.net/photo/NASA/Rockwell-Space-Shuttle/1614239/L/
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Sorry this took a week to post, but here are a couple of pics of us at Dixie Crossroads. It was great to meet up with you guys! Note: Rockshrimp are excellent!
gah!...i'm craving those fried corn fritter things now. They were a meal by themselves.
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gah!...i'm craving those fried corn fritter things now. They were a meal by themselves.
No kidding, and I see you're from Austin too :)
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Just got a great view of both vehicles from London, England at about 5.13pm. Orbiter was trailing ISS by an inch. :D :D
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Yep 5.12pm from here in Sheffield,
looking south as the ISS and Atlantis passed Jupiter !
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Thanks. I guess that means they'll go through the lock an hour or so earlier. I may go down today and see if I can find any more out.
Sorry to have been so long following this post up, but I thought I'd give this info as it may help viewers of future launches.
The lock keepers couldn't help on the Wednesday.
Port Canaveral lock is at the coordinates I quoted earlier, and is indeed accessed via Mullet Road as ChrisC suggested. There is a well appointed public viewing facility there, which is nominally open from 0700.
So, working from the times rdale kindly pointed me at, I turned up at 0700 on the Thursday to discover from a fellow enthusiast that Liberty Star had already passed through at about 0630.... :'(
However Freedom Star came through at about 0830! :) , having passed through the drawbridge on route 401 (clearly visible from the lock) about 15 minutes earlier.
So, based on my experience, I'd suggest getting down to the Canaveral Lock at least 1h45m before the times the Stars are due back at their berths. If you can find those out, you should be home and dry.
It's worth it, you'll have a great view from the lock-side.. Photo attached. And while you're waiting there's some superb wildlife viewing of pelicans, herons and egrets fishing and manatees browsing.
(LostinSpace - I'm guessing we were standing a few feet from each other???)
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Great info, thanks Nick!
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STS-129 NASA Tweetup pics, as promised. More to come & some on YouTube (incl. SRB recovery ships--I was there when both came thru Canaveral Lock.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildtexas/sets/72157622508995621/
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So, entering now into (possibly) the final phase of this thread ... landing!
I'm in Florida, 150 miles south of KSC, and will be driving up to KSC on Friday morning. I can not drive up sooner than that. With nominal landing time around 9:45am, I was wondering how close to KSC I would need to get to hear the sonic boom. Here are some random quotes that I got from Googling around.
"I live 100miles south of the Cape just north of West Palm Beach (across from Lake Okeechobee) and even though the Shuttle is still invisible at 80,000ft there the house rattles from the double sonic booms as it goes over. Anywhere in West Palm, Stuart, Vero Beach, Melbourne and up to Titusville you'll know when it goes over."
Can someone comment on these are all accurate? What about crossrange distance?
I live in Palm Beach and I've only ever heard the sonic booms once, when I drove out to Lake Okeechobee at lunch time and parked where it appeared the shuttle would be passing overhead. I wasn't able to see it (too high in altitude at that point), however I most assuredly heard the double sonic booms. Keep an eye out for the landing tracks, they will show you what part of FL the shuttle will be passing over. To hear it at Lake Okeechobee, the shuttle came from the south, passed over or near Cuba and then came right up the middle of the state.
I think normally it comes in over Tampa, but I'm sure someone else with more info can chime in on that.
As a side note, here's what the launch looked like from the press site:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4110501533_05c16fa2f8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabong/4110501533/)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/4111265572_17b96fc40b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabong/4111265572/)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4111265748_1ee855084b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabong/4111265748/)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4117549928_81fb5d7cb5.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabong/4117549928/)
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I found some time after my return to Germany after covering the launch of STS-129 and would like to share some of my photos. Below you find only a small choice. For more photos please visit http://www.stefan-photopage.blogspot.com/
I had a great time and it was the best launch I have seen so far. Canīt wait to go back.
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Here's the ground tracks:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/news/landing.html
You want to be as close to the flight path as possible.
Sometimes it comes in where it travels up the state and makes a turn over Fort Pierce/Vero Beach, I've heard that they are very loud in that area when that's the case.
If they land on the second chance (orbit 172), people in Orlando will get a nice Black Friday surprise.
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I live in Palm Beach and I've only ever heard the sonic booms once, when I drove out to Lake Okeechobee at lunch time and parked where it appeared the shuttle would be passing overhead.
You want to be as close to the flight path as possible.
Thanks guys. I'm very aware of the landing ground tracks (posted by Andrew above), but I'm trying to get a sense of CROSSRANGE distance -- how close I have to be to that ground track to hear it. If they come down on the first attempt, which seems likely, I may very well be at best 20 miles away from the ground track when it flies over around 9:40am.
For any of the later attempts I'll be right at KSC, it's just that first one that I'll be barely catching.
I'm also interested in crossrange because I'm wondering how hard to urge my relatives in Palm Beach to keep their ears peeled. The first attempt ground track has it entering Florida over Naples and heading NNE over the west coast of Lake O. That's a good 50-60 miles from Palm Beach -- sounds like that may be too far.
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Just saw the ISS and STS, just two fist-widths apart from just north of New York City, on schedule and very bright. The two scooting along in the same part of the sky was very impressive. (And I've seen this before.)
(Couldn't find the ISS viewing thread!)
A great ending to our Thanksgiving Day. Also check out the just-past-first quarter moon and Jupiter tonight. They are wonderful, even in binoculars.
bob
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I just saw a very beautiful pass by ISS followed closely by Atlantis here in South Georgia.
Great Pass!!
I also could not find the viewing thread.
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Just saw the ISS and STS, just two fist-widths apart from just north of New York City, on schedule and very bright. The two scooting along in the same part of the sky was very impressive. (And I've seen this before.)
(Couldn't find the ISS viewing thread!)
A great ending to our Thanksgiving Day. Also check out the just-past-first quarter moon and Jupiter tonight. They are wonderful, even in binoculars.
bob
I just saw the Shuttle and Station pass too. Here's a picture, a little blurry:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977919491 (http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977919491)
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Re: K466's entry:
Quote
I just saw the Shuttle and Station pass too. Here's a picture, a little blurry:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977919491
Unquote
That was great for you to get the two together!
The shuttle was brighter than I expected, I should have taken a photo!
I've taken photos before, usually a 15 second exposure to get some stars in the background. The shuttle usually is much fainter and sometimes harder to get on camera.
bob
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Heres a shot I got from the VC Friday during the landing.
(http://scriptunasimages.smugmug.com/Other/News/Spaceshuttlelanding/727123213_RtuQG-M.jpg)
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Great shot, Walter...what type of equipment did you use?
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Heres a shot I got from the VC Friday during the landing.
Beautiful!
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Great shot, Walter...what type of equipment did you use?
Thanks guys! That was shot with a Canon 40D and 500mm L with a 1.4x teleconverter. The images were slightly cropped also.
I hope to make the February launch, I have seen a few but ever since I have become more avid in photography it seems that I miss ever launch by a week or so, so hopefully I will actually get to see the next haha
Here is one more.
(http://scriptunasimages.smugmug.com/Other/News/Atlantisapproach/727312569_HLXTf-M.jpg)
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Would you happen to post a full sized version for us? That's some very nice photography, just would be nice to see what detail you can actually see.
Thanks! Again, very nice pictures.
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I have attached the image. The detail is pretty good, i was hoping to get better though :(.
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Wow, that's one heck of a shot with her flying past. Thanks for the full resolution, that's just a beautiful shot.
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Here is one of landing shots (from the VAB). I have not had time to process all.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/NASA/Rockwell-Space-Shuttle/1619207/L/
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Holy cow, that's a good one! Thanks for posting!
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Here is one of landing shots (from the VAB). I have not had time to process all.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/NASA/Rockwell-Space-Shuttle/1619207/L/
Stunningly crisp landing shot. Great job!
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Holy smoke...that shot is so clear...AMAZING!
Fantastic picture!!
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Just realized that if you look at the TPS and SSME/OMS, you can see the heat distortion from re-entry. That's pretty awesome.
Again, amazing photo.