NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
NASA Shuttle Specific Sections => Atlantis (Post STS-135, T&R) => Topic started by: MySDCUserID on 06/03/2007 10:01 pm
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Pick the choice the best describes how you will be viewing the STS-117 Launch.
If it launches on Friday, I'll stay late at work and view form CCAFS.
Otherwise, I'll watch from the backyward during non-working days.
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If it goes on Friday I will be watching it on my new HD Plasma, if the attempt is Saturday and the weather looks good we will make the drive down and probably watch from the Beeline (sorry can't call it Beachline, that name is just wrong.)
Might have crap at the port before or after depending on traffic and people etc.
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From my usual spot on the 528 causeway where it crosses the Bananna River on Merritt Island. Someday I will go up to Titusville to watch one, unless I am doomed to moving to KS or someplace in the near future since I am being laid off of my job on 27 July. :(
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Where's the option for 'From the mid deck, but can't see anything from in here :(' hehehe. Another vote for the internet for me I'm afraid.
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nacnud - 3/6/2007 7:11 PM
Where's the option for 'From the mid deck, but can't see anything from in here :(' hehehe. Another vote for the internet for me I'm afraid.
As for me too. That or TV.
Never been to a launch but hoping to make it down for 118.
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TV and this site!
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Technically supporting the launch by helping get Endeavour ready for LON.
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Watching via the net on the only site to be on! HERE!
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In the MER
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On here, watching out for ECOs going went and dry during SIM then hoping the weather is good :)
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Sky News live and here live.
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On here :) Can't wait
OV-106 - 3/6/2007 6:36 PM
In the MER
Do you get to watch TV screens, or are you guys sat in front of monitors with data on it.
I remember one of the LCC guys said that he's done 25 launches and has yet to actually see one and he's at KSC!!
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There is a guy over at SDC that claims to have been in the LCC for every launch, and has yet to see one!
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My dad is driving me to a good vantage point :)
What's MER by the way?
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Do Shuttles Dream - 4/6/2007 1:00 AM
What's MER by the way?
Mission Evaluation Room.
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For any other launch, my answer would be TV, since I live 2000 miles west of Florida. However, for this one....I'll be at the KSC VC.
GO ATLANTIS.
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I'll watch the countdown on NTV and as soon as the SRBs ignite, i'll step out into my backyard and watch her sail into the evening sky! ;)
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On TV! I live in Canada, so probably CTV Newsnet, who always provide excellant coverage.
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Being Canadian, I'll watch it either on CNN or NASA TV via the Internet.
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Ill be taping CNN since I have graduation on that day.
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NTV on the Internet, CNN on the TV. Hope CNN does good, the last few years I've had NTV.. This year, I don't.
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same here, and with the 30 second delay you can watch it twice live :)
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Haha. If this was a night show, I'd look out my back door, see if she was on the horizon. Caught one like that, saw MECO and the OMS pulsing. Was a GREAT sight!
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I live probably 10 thousand miles from the KSC, so I´ll be watching the launch on NASA TV.
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Captain Scarlet - 3/6/2007 6:38 PM
Sky News live and here live.
Same here. Hope the UK channels don't mess up by getting an astronomer in the studio. Handy for talking about stars, but clueless with space flight.
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German TV don´t even broadcast live,... So NASA TV (sometimes in the middle of the night)
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This will be a first for me. I've been working at KSC LC-39 since January. I'm not shuttle so I'll just get off work then go down by the VAB.
Wonder if security would mind some tailgating with a BBQ in the VAB parking lot??
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Chris Bergin - 3/6/2007 7:02 PM
Do Shuttles Dream - 4/6/2007 1:00 AM
What's MER by the way?
Mission Evaluation Room.
That picture is actually the conference room next to the MER. The actual MER has computers, comm, etc where we monitor the ship telemetry, troubleshoot, talk with the LCC, MOD, etc.
For the folks in the LCC, they don't really get to see it since the shuttle streaks by the windows fairly quickly for those that aren't in the "bubbles" or up at the front. For us in the MER, we usually watch the replays if our particular system(s) have or are performing nominally after ascent.
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I'll be watching launch on NASA TV via Internet. I live in Poland - it's about 10000 km from KSC, so it's impossible to watch it from my backyard ;)
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shuttlepilot - 4/6/2007 4:37 PM
I'll be watching launch on NASA TV via Internet. I live in Poland - it's about 10000 km from KSC, so it's impossible to watch it from my backyard ;)
Actually you could try to see Atlantis passing over SSW horizon about 20 minutes after liftoff. Lighting conditions for the next two weeks seem to be more than favorable, so it all depends on weather. If all goes OK, I'll try to spot the orbiter and possibly the ET on my 3" Maksutov telescope (as I do regularly with ISS :) )
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PL: Tak, oczywiscie wiem o tym ;) Ale mówilem o obejrzeniu wahadlowca podczas startu, a nie podczas operacji po separacji ET.
ENG: Yes, of course I know about it ;) But I was talking about viewing shuttle during launch, not during post-ET sep ops.
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Being english, i'll be watching the launch on Nasa TV, although i'll keep an eye out to the south because sometimes you can see it in the sky after it coming over the atlantic. :)
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Since it's a daytime launch (sun hasn't set), there's no hope for viewing up the east coast of the US, right?
CNN will show it...but their coverage has not been great. They only get into dedicated coverage about 20 minutes before launch and then they ramble on about something they have no clue about. And chances are they will refer to "Atlantis" as "Colombia" at least once. It can be that bad.
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I've watched many shuttle launches on CNN. However, I'm not happy with them right now, I think their whole operation's declined quite a bit....and I think there are other sources for launch coverage on U.S. TV at least, like Fox News and MSNBC. I don't expect the regular networks to break in their sitcoms or soapies unless it's a launch of intense interest (John Glenn, HST SM, etc.) or unless....I don't want to mention it or even think about it.
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the unmentionables are about the only thing to get a major network to look at it. MSNBC really did a job getting ready for 114, but since that they have returned about like the rest. Anywhere past the 4 minute mark, it's nasa tv for me
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NASA Causeway. Hopefully keeping dry and not dodging lightning.
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I will be making the trip from Indiana to KSC tomorrow and watching the launch from the Saturn V Center/Banana Creek viewing site. Drove down for STS-121 last summer only to watch it rain for two days and go home empty-handed! Looking forward to a thrilling sight and a great vantage point.
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I've just worked out the time difference between EDT and GMT. STS-117 will launch at half midnight. I'm going to miss it! :o :(
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I will be at the causeway too. Got a "causeway VIP" pass from my senator's office. This will be a bit of a step down from the press site where I saw the last few from. ;) Oh well. Not sure if there is a better view at this VIP section of the causeway but I hope there will be bleachers and some concession stands. I saw 2 launches from the causeway in the 1990s and the view was excellent.
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Hopefully this will be the first of quite a few I'll view from space view park in Titusville.
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TNCMAXQ - 5/6/2007 3:24 PM
I will be at the causeway too. Got a "causeway VIP" pass from my senator's office. This will be a bit of a step down from the press site where I saw the last few from. ;) Oh well. Not sure if there is a better view at this VIP section of the causeway but I hope there will be bleachers and some concession stands. I saw 2 launches from the causeway in the 1990s and the view was excellent.
The 45th Space Wing has two sets of bleachers marked as "VIP" on the extreme eastern end of NASA Causeway. There are concession stands and port-a-pottys on the causeway. They are still in the process of setting all of that up.
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Radioheaded - 5/6/2007 5:13 PM
Hopefully this will be the first of quite a few I'll view from space view park in Titusville.
Will see you at the Park...:)
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Avron - 5/6/2007 11:48 PM
Radioheaded - 5/6/2007 5:13 PM
Hopefully this will be the first of quite a few I'll view from space view park in Titusville.
Will see you at the Park...:)
I'll be at the park, too. I usually record the launch on NASA TV, and watch the launch from titusville. Then, when I get home, I can get all the real NASA stuff. Launches to the ISS are a lot easier than the old launches...the window is nearly immediate...no long waits for launch. Unfortunately, being a Friday night launch, there will probably be huge crowds. If it is too crowded, I'll probably go home and watch it from the yard.
If any others are there from this forum, I will be the old greybeard wearing a "hands-on Wildlife" t-shirt. Stop and say 'hi'. Hmmm...maybe I should bring a Florida Panther or a python with me...easier to pick out of a crowd that way!
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I proudly watch daytime launches in my office, inviting anyone who's free to join me. With the speakers plugged in and turned up. LOUD. :)
Mark
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Larry
If things get super crazy at the Park... what would be you backup along the Water?
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Avron - 6/6/2007 8:02 PM
Larry
If things get super crazy at the Park... what would be you backup along the Water?
We have watched a lot of launches along route 1. or any of the causeways that remain open...
One nice place we found a few years ago was just north of route 50 on route 1. I think that is exit 215 off of I-95...drive east on route 50 then turn left on route 1. Just north of that intersection is a McDonalds on the right. We walked down the little road that goes beside the McD toward the condos on the river. There is usually someone with a scanner at the end of the road, just before the entrance gate to the condos.
There are so many places to park on route 1 where you can look across the water. The closest the public can get to the pad is about 11 miles...a little farther if you go south of the pads on the beeline/beachline. There is usually an RV parked just east of the banana river bridge on the beachline that is manned by a local HAM radio club.
There are several maps posted on this site and the KSC site that shows where you can go to watch.
There was miserable traffic during the holiday launch last year. I'm planning on getting home many hours after launch/scrub...and I live about 20 miles south.
Cheers,
Larry
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Rocket Nut - 6/6/2007 7:40 PM
There was miserable traffic during the holiday launch last year. I'm planning on getting home many hours after launch/scrub...and I live about 20 miles south.
Cheers,
Larry
Yes there was! Especially after the first scrub. We walked from Manzo Park to the mall for a few hours and had an early dinner. When we left Titusville for our motel on Cocoa Beach, we still got caught in a jam.
Gene
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From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
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I'll hopefully be watching on NASA TV. Made it down to KSC for the launch of STS 114, but went home disappointed with the whole ECO Sensor anomaly...
Going to try to make it back down there for STS 118.
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Celeritas - 7/6/2007 10:42 AM
From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
So heading north vs south is a better plan after launch?
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Avron - 7/6/2007 11:22 AM
Celeritas - 7/6/2007 10:42 AM
From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
So heading north vs south is a better plan after launch?
I don't know of any good way to get out of the Cape area after a crowded launch viewing, except maybe by helicopter. I lived in New Smyrna Beach for a couple of years and know that by a quirk of geography, New Smyrna Beach is one of the only (if not the only) town on the east coast of Florida not bounded by any other cities on the north or south (Ponce Inlet on the north and Canaveral National Seashore on the south.) Consequently, it's nice and quiet, which is perfect for my tastes.
If proximity is what you're looking for, and I imagine it is if you're coming from far away, then N.S.B. is not the best viewing area, but I've never had to crawl all over people to get out of there either.
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Avron - 7/6/2007 11:22 AM
Celeritas - 7/6/2007 10:42 AM
From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
So heading north vs south is a better plan after launch?
I'm wondering if someone can suggest a bar close to Space View park (at least reasonably so) where one might be able to enjoy a cold beverage (allowing most of the traffic to dissipate) before heading back to Orlando... ;)
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Titusville has no good bars
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Jim - 7/6/2007 12:28 PM
Titusville has no good bars
So the Bars are better in N.S.B?
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Nasa TV is the only option for me. However I've just got a 6" refractor, does anyone know the projected path viewable from the east of England? Weather permitting ofcourse.
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Avron - 7/6/2007 12:42 PM
Jim - 7/6/2007 12:28 PM
Titusville has no good bars
So the Bars are better in N.S.B?
yes!
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I'm graduating from high school starting at 7, I might just have to take a "bathroom break" in order to go watch the launch. I haven't missed a launch in a long time and i think id rather watch the launch than sit through speeches.
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Avron - 7/6/2007 12:42 PM
Jim - 7/6/2007 12:28 PM
Titusville has no good bars
So the Bars are better in N.S.B?
I don't know anything about the bars in Titusville, but "good" would be a strong word to describe N.S.B. bars. "Relaxing" would be a much better descriptive word and that's exactly what I'm looking for in a beach bar on a Friday launch night.
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There's a little pizza parlor/Italian restuarant across RT1 from Space View Park in the Searstown mall. We went there last July. Not expensive, good service and most importantly cold drinks! When we were done our meal we strolled about the mall. Not much there, the Space Walk Hall of Fame had already closed up but the gift shop was open. The gift shop was definitely worthwhile.
Hope this helps,
Gene
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Greetings,
I voted for Online/NASA-TV, although there is a chance we will see the later part of the ascent. I live in Hampton Roads, VA on the East Coast and have seen two night launches in the eastern sky. I'm not sure if STS-117 will be visible or not though, since it will still be daylight.
I'll be enjoying the launch with my good friend Astromattical, also a mostly-lurker on NSF and his fiance, who are coming to visit!
Can't wait to see you "Astromattical!"
cheers,
Kelly
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I'm with Captain Scarlet on this one, Sky news and on here. Can't beat this forum for updates.
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I was given causeway tickets for my birthday by someone who knows it is my dream to see a live shuttle launch....well they are still sitting on my dining room table because due to a military obligation, I am unable to make it down there. So not only did I miss my launch live, I won't even be able to see it on NASA TV or anywhere else, for that matter. :angry:
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There's a big difference between seeing a launch and "feeling" a launch. Try to get as close as possible--without getting arrested by authorities.
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Celeritas - 7/6/2007 11:47 AM
Avron - 7/6/2007 11:22 AM
Celeritas - 7/6/2007 10:42 AM
From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
So heading north vs south is a better plan after launch?
I don't know of any good way to get out of the Cape area after a crowded launch viewing, except maybe by helicopter. I lived in New Smyrna Beach for a couple of years and know that by a quirk of geography, New Smyrna Beach is one of the only (if not the only) town on the east coast of Florida not bounded by any other cities on the north or south (Ponce Inlet on the north and Canaveral National Seashore on the south.) Consequently, it's nice and quiet, which is perfect for my tastes.
If proximity is what you're looking for, and I imagine it is if you're coming from far away, then N.S.B. is not the best viewing area, but I've never had to crawl all over people to get out of there either.
Celeritas
JB's Fish Camp is just awesome... same place as you where watching?
Jim.. the Bars a a lot better in NSB
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Avron - 10/6/2007 11:21 PM
Celeritas - 7/6/2007 11:47 AM
Avron - 7/6/2007 11:22 AM
Celeritas - 7/6/2007 10:42 AM
From an outdoor beach bar in New Smyrna Beach, 25 miles north. Friday evening launch--it's going to be a zoo down in Titusville.
So heading north vs south is a better plan after launch?
I don't know of any good way to get out of the Cape area after a crowded launch viewing, except maybe by helicopter. I lived in New Smyrna Beach for a couple of years and know that by a quirk of geography, New Smyrna Beach is one of the only (if not the only) town on the east coast of Florida not bounded by any other cities on the north or south (Ponce Inlet on the north and Canaveral National Seashore on the south.) Consequently, it's nice and quiet, which is perfect for my tastes.
If proximity is what you're looking for, and I imagine it is if you're coming from far away, then N.S.B. is not the best viewing area, but I've never had to crawl all over people to get out of there either.
Celeritas
JB's Fish Camp is just awesome... same place as you where watching?
Jim.. the Bars a a lot better in NSB
We were at Chases on the beach. JB's is a lot closer and I would have gone there but my girlfriend wanted to be right on the beach (not that JB's isn't across the road from the beach) Also, got falldown drunk at Chases and had to stagger back up the beach to the Holiday Inn--glad I didn't drive down to JB's. My grilfriend says she wants to be much closer for the next launch. I told her we'd stand in the flame trench. :)
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Celeritas - 11/6/2007 11:56 AM
We were at Chases on the beach. JB's is a lot closer and I would have gone there but my girlfriend wanted to be right on the beach (not that JB's isn't across the road from the beach) Also, got falldown drunk at Chases and had to stagger back up the beach to the Holiday Inn--glad I didn't drive down to JB's. My grilfriend says she wants to be much closer for the next launch. I told her we'd stand in the flame trench. :)
Sounds like the Launch went well for you, even if there was some fallout or was that falldown
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So any recomendations of a good restaurant n NSB??
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Avron - 11/6/2007 8:26 PM
So any recomendations of a good restaurant n NSB??
My personal favorite is Sea Harvest. It's a little dive right on the river by the South Causeway, but don't let appearances fool you--the grouper is very fresh and amazing. I had it twice this weekend. Also, don't miss out on Blackbeard's. It's a fish restaurant off US1. Great atmosphere and great food. I try to go to these places everytime I'm in N.S.B. If you like seafood I can't imagine you not liking these places, so if anyone goes to N.S.B. to see a launch give them a try.