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STS 122 Atlantis: Viewing
by
CTdave
on 25 Oct, 2007 17:43
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We just flew back to Connecticut after watching STS 120 Discovery. What an AWSOME sight. We were at the KSC Visitor Complex over at the booster/main tank display. The problem was that my wife, 2 kids and I had staked out a nice spot 2 hours before the launch. We were at the end of the sidewalk with about 3' of mulch & bushes between us & a low fence. With 20 seconds to go, four guys with big cameras jumped in front of us & set up shop. There was nowhere for us to go. My kids (son 5 and daughter 3) were very upset that they couldnt see their first launch very well (I was angry as hell).
I have decided to bite the bullet & spend the money to go back down for STS 122 & try to do something different.
Age old question: Where should I take them?
I just tried KSC to get causeway tickets but they are sold out. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
David
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#1
by
TJL
on 25 Oct, 2007 19:23
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QUOTE...Where should I take them?
Titusville offers a very clear view of shuttle launches..and unlike the KSC Visitor Center, you'll be able to see it as it sits on the pad.
Photo below as seen from Titusville, is of STS-118 Endeavour launch on August 8, 2007.
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#2
by
TJL
on 25 Oct, 2007 19:30
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#3
by
Rocket Guy
on 25 Oct, 2007 20:31
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#4
by
Andrewwski
on 26 Oct, 2007 02:32
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TJL - 25/10/2007 3:30 PM
Where in Titusville was that?
Definitely read Ben's article...it is probably the most helpful information you'll find about viewing.
Titusville seems to be the place to go. That's where I went during 118 and the view was almost the exact same as in that picture. You can see the initial plume of smoke build up around the pad before the vehicle rises above it if you're using binoculars.
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#5
by
TJL
on 26 Oct, 2007 02:49
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Photo was taken at the Clarion (used to be Holiday Inn) next to Kennedy Point Park.
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#6
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 03 Nov, 2007 19:46
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Sand Point Park or any place along the 402 causeway (aka Garden Street which becomes Max Brewer Memorial Parkway) located on the north end of Titusville. This place offers a great viewing oportunity as you get an unobstructed view of the vehicle through the entire duration of SRB flight and for some time after the SRBs separate. The important thing about this viewing site is that the plume from the SRBs doesn't obscure your view of the shuttle as it can when you're south of KSC in Titusville because the vehicle turns and heads northeast from KSC. If you want more information, just PM me. Also, there's a group of amature radio operators who broadcast NASA TV starting about 3 to 2 hours before launch. They're normally located over the draw bridge on the causeway.
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#7
by
on 03 Nov, 2007 23:59
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My son and I stayed at the Clarion Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) in Titusville during the week of STS-120 Launch. Based upon that stay I would strongly suggest that you NOT stay at this hotel. Aside from the fact that the view of Launch Complex 39 is fantasic, the hotel simply is lacking in basic services. I personally think that the hotel bases all of its' fame upon its' closeness to the Kennedy Space Center and therefore isn't required to ensure that it's services are competitive with other hotels.
This is not an attempt to "bash" the hotel more than it is an effort to make sure people that choose to stay there make an informed decision.
Problems that we encountered during our stay:
1. Room not cleaned until we called the front desk to have it cleaned.
2. We would leave the room no later than 7:15am, return approximately 4pm and the room still wouldnt be cleaned or made up.
3. Shower curtains dirty and moldy.
4. Soap left in shower from previous guest, stayed in shower throughout our five day stay despite our repeated request for the room to be cleaned.
5. "High Speed Internet" was transfering data at a rate slower than dial up speeds. We were told that the problem was the fact that the hotel room was FULL due to the launch. However, the day after the launch, the hotel was virtually empty and the speeds did not increase.
6. The continental breakfast did not start until 8am. We were every morning before 7:15am. The day of the launch we had to leave the room by 6:15.
Again, this isn't intending to be bashing, I just wish to express my experiences with the hotel.
I was totally amazed with the view of the VAB from the hotel room. I will try to attach a picture to this posting.
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#8
by
Andrewwski
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:05
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Yes...that's nice that they do that. The restaurant we were at had a pair of rabbit ears on a bigscreen TV and was getting a nice picture of NASA TV.
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#9
by
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:09
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Try to request tickets from you senator/congressman for vip tickets. After your Senator/Congressman makes the request to NASA and if NASA approves the request, you would receive an Inviation.
My son and I went to STS-120 launch via as a Congressional VIP. We were taken to NASA Causeway viewing site (the same as if you had bought the LTT Tickets from the KSC Visitors Center).
The VIP Tickets are "plain jane" meaning all you get is transportation to the NASA Causeway, watch the launch and then they take you back to your car at the mall you were assigned to. However, it was a wonderful experience that my son and I very much enjoyed.
Attached are zoomed pics of Discovery on the launch pad from the NASA Causeway viewing area.
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#10
by
Jim
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:09
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Sorry, I must of missed an earlier post that stated that you were staying there. I wouldn't recommend the place
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#11
by
Jim
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:12
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I avoid Titusville and have be partial to the the Beeline and the port
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#12
by
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:16
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Jim - 3/11/2007 9:09 PM
Sorry, I must of missed an earlier post that stated that you were staying there. I wouldn't recommend the place
I definately wish I had known what I was in for. I just wanted to make sure anyone checking this hotel out knows as much as possible.
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#13
by
TJL
on 04 Nov, 2007 00:46
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Jim..isn't the view and sound better at Titusville (than Beeline or Port Canaveral) for shuttle launches?
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#14
by
wingod
on 04 Nov, 2007 16:34
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Totally agree with Ray, the VIP spot is the best and get your congress critter to help. Also, at the same time tell them that you support NASA and their budget and the return to the Moon.
It helps
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#15
by
Rocket Guy
on 04 Nov, 2007 21:01
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TJL - 3/11/2007 9:46 PM
isn't the view and sound better at Titusville (than Beeline or Port Canaveral) for shuttle launches?
Yes, it is a bit closer. For those traveling to view, Titusville is the closest free (off-site) viewing location and you should go here. For locals, to each their own after so many years :-)
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#16
by
phardacre
on 05 Nov, 2007 00:48
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hi thinking about going to see 125 from uk can anyone recomend a hotel looking for internet and nasa tv on tv
thanks
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#17
by
edkyle99
on 05 Nov, 2007 00:57
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If you must stay in Titusville, then the following hotel is probably about as good as it gets there.
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=TIXFLHXI travel a lot and almost always find the Hampton Inns to be clean, with good beds, fast internet, on-time breakfasts, etc. No affiliation, BTW. I like Mariott Courtyards when I can find them too.
I suspect that you would have to go to the beaches, to Orlando, or to Melbourne to do better.
- Ed Kyle
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#18
by
on 06 Nov, 2007 15:13
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Ray Todd - 3/11/2007 8:09 P
Try to request tickets from you senator/congressman for vip tickets. After your Senator/Congressman makes the request to NASA and if NASA approves the request, you would receive an Inviation
How far ahead did you write to your congressman and the turn around time for the pass to be received?
I written back in September and again in October. Presently nadda
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#19
by
on 06 Nov, 2007 16:46
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I had requested tickets approximately Mid August 2007. Along the way, I was kept advised by my Congressman's office what was happening, such as they submitted the paperwork to NASA, NASA Received the paperwork, etc.
We were notified by my Congressman's Office that NASA had approved my VIP tickets on October 12, 2007. We received the inviation in the mail on October 16th from NASA with instructions on when and where to show up.
Ray.
Ray Todd - 3/11/2007 8:09 P
Try to request tickets from you senator/congressman for vip tickets. After your Senator/Congressman makes the request to NASA and if NASA approves the request, you would receive an Inviation
lunarrv15 - 6/11/2007 11:13 AM
How far ahead did you write to your congressman and the turn around time for the pass to be received?
I written back in September and again in October. Presently nadda