STS 122 Atlantis: Viewing

• #120 by trlstyle on 09 Dec, 2007 12:30
• also in for wondering if a rollback is necessary. I was just waking up to leave and go to KSC too...
• #121 by rowuncw on 09 Dec, 2007 12:34
• Yeah, I'm hoping I can just visit Kennedy on a non launch day with my viewing ticket. I'm sure they wouldn't screw me out of $28...
• #122 by rowuncw on 09 Dec, 2007 13:39
• Quote

  rowuncw - 9/12/2007  8:34 AM
  
  Yeah, I'm hoping I can just visit Kennedy on a non launch day with my viewing ticket. I'm sure they wouldn't screw me out of $28...

  
  Just gave the KSC visitor center a call and they said the discounted launch viewing tickets are good for admission on non-launch days.
• #123 by on 10 Dec, 2007 17:32
• so now what do I do with my causeway pass?  If the launch is move to the weekend, there could be a possible watch if there is a pilot out there who can fly us down and back the same day.
• #124 by CTdave on 10 Dec, 2007 21:24
• I just wanted to thank Chris Bergin & the whole gang here at nasaspaceflight!
  I received invitations directly from NASA for the STS 122 launch & I flew down with my wife & two small kids in hopes of another great experience. Obviously there were some issues & you could see/feel the pain of the good folks down there as the news trickled out.
  The problem we were having was getting correct, up to date information. At our hotel on Cocoa Beach, people hovered around the lobby & watched for the hourly reports on the local news station. I however, chose to have a friend back home in Connecticut log onto spaceflight & call me with important information as it came out. This was not only informative as to what the problems with 122 were, it gave me the opportunity to change flights (several times) before the masses heard the announcements on the local news. Last night at the ticket counter, the woman from Jet Blue told me she "didn't understand how some "open" flights sold out in minutes and other "full" flights went out half empty over the past few days". She was oblivious to the shuttle launch :angry:    
  
  So, with all that said, THANK YOU!
  
  What is everyone's best guess as far as the next launch date? Jan. 2nd? I have to book our next flights & I'd rather do it early & make changes later.
  Dave
• #125 by Ford Mustang on 10 Dec, 2007 21:44
• Quote

  CTdave - 10/12/2007  5:24 PM
  What is everyone's best guess as far as the next launch date? Jan. 2nd? I have to book our next flights & I'd rather do it early & make changes later.
  Dave

  
  NASA has released the NET (No Earlier Than) date of January 2nd.  
  
  I, also, thank Chris for the updates with the site.  Had it not been for this, I'd have not known of the scrub situation until NASA TV had released it.
  
  This site is friggin' awesome.   :cool:
• #126 by Namechange User on 10 Dec, 2007 22:14
• Quote

  CTdave - 10/12/2007  4:24 PM
  
  
  What is everyone's best guess as far as the next launch date? Jan. 2nd? I have to book our next flights & I'd rather do it early & make changes later.
  Dave

  
  Tough call.  We're probably going to be doing a version of a tanking test in the next week or so and then go from there.  I think Jan 2 is optimistic.  It would require a lot just for the folks on leave, Call to Stations for count would be around New Years Eve and all.  I think it may be more realistics for CTS to be on Jan 2, assuming we don't roll back.
• #127 by Chris Bergin on 10 Dec, 2007 22:19
• Thanks David....though it's a massive team effort and I really don't like taking personal praise when so many people are involved. Merged with Atlantis viewing
• #128 by Jason Davies on 10 Dec, 2007 22:45
• Good post David.
• #129 by TrueBlueWitt on 11 Dec, 2007 01:05
• My kids(2 teens) and I are headed to Orlando starting the week before New Years, and hopefully leaving AFTER watching the Shuttle Launch.  
  
  Couple questions:
  Assuming the Shuttle Launches on the 2nd, what is the last day that the "Up Close" tour will run in December?
  
  Can anyone give me a link to purchasing Causeway passes? I can't find them on the Cape's website.  Are they sold out?  (update: found place on site saying they aren't selling "launch" tickets till they're more sure of Launch date)
  
  Should I settle for Titusville, or try to buy them online from someone that missed the first window?  Looks like an EARLY AM launch.. will it still be packed?
  
  We'll be staying in Orlando to start, but will head to the Cape area after bowl game on the 1st.  Is there a good & reasonably priced place to stay(hotel) nearby on the beach?
  
  Thanks!
• #130 by Andrewwski on 11 Dec, 2007 01:11
• Beach...there's New Symirna Beach to the north, but I don't think it's nearly as close as Titusville.
  
  Titusville certainly won't disappoint.  However, if you can get causeway passes, by all means, get them.
  
  Greyline bus transport tickets from Orlando to the causeway usually don't sell out either, but that'd require being in Orlando at the time of departure.
• #131 by TrueBlueWitt on 11 Dec, 2007 16:10
• Anyone stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Cocoa Beach?  What about Luna Sea? Which(if either) would you recommend?
  
  Thanks!  keeping fingers crossed for launch on 2nd or 3rd!
• #132 by CTdave on 11 Dec, 2007 16:35
• Quote

  TrueBlueWitt - 11/12/2007  11:10 AM
  
  Anyone stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Cocoa Beach?  What about Luna Sea? Which(if either) would you recommend?
  
  Thanks!  keeping fingers crossed for launch on 2nd or 3rd!

  
  We usually stay in the more expensive type of hotels but tried out the Comfort Inn on Cocoa a few times when rooms were not available elsewhere. It's very clean & nice & I can't say anything bad about it. They also have a pool.
  Last Saturday, we stumbled upon "Ron Jon's Cape Caribe" resort. WOW, what a cool place! It has all sorts of kids activities like a water park with a giant slide, lazy river, fountain area with water jets everywhere, tiki bar & everything you could want. It's a time share place but they do rent villas by the day. It's on the beach near the Port Canaveral inlet.
  
  I'm booking flights today in hopes for a launch on the 2nd or 3rd as well. Our NASA invitations are good for when ever 122 goes up
     
  David
• #133 by TrueBlueWitt on 11 Dec, 2007 19:04
• Quote

  CTdave - 11/12/2007  12:35 PM
  
  

  Quote

  TrueBlueWitt - 11/12/2007  11:10 AM
  
  Anyone stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Cocoa Beach?  What about Luna Sea? Which(if either) would you recommend?
  
  Thanks!  keeping fingers crossed for launch on 2nd or 3rd!

  
  We usually stay in the more expensive type of hotels but tried out the Comfort Inn on Cocoa a few times when rooms were not available elsewhere. It's very clean & nice & I can't say anything bad about it. They also have a pool.
  Last Saturday, we stumbled upon "Ron Jon's Cape Caribe" resort. WOW, what a cool place! It has all sorts of kids activities like a water park with a giant slide, lazy river, fountain area with water jets everywhere, tiki bar & everything you could want. It's a time share place but they do rent villas by the day. It's on the beach near the Port Canaveral inlet.
  
  I'm booking flights today in hopes for a launch on the 2nd or 3rd as well. Our NASA invitations are good for when ever 122 goes up
     
  David

  
  Thanks!  Ron Jon's didn't have openings for the days we will be there, but the Comfort Inn looks nice enough, quite affordable and got good review. Rather spend the money on more tours anyway!
• #134 by ntschke on 11 Dec, 2007 19:34

• Hi there.  I'm probably too late on this but my family and I were down there for STS-120 in Oct.  We ended up staying at the Days Inn in cocoa beach- http://www.daysinncocoabeach.com/ (great deal on travelocity, about $60/night) Nothiing fancy but our room was clean, a 1 minute walk to the Cocoa Beach pier and a steak house at the Ramada.  About a 20 minute drive to the KSC visitors center via the "back road" and 5 minutes to the cool restaurants on the inlet (try Rusty's-been then many times,  and fish lips, among others).

  PM me if you want more info and good luck.  We may be back for STS-123 in Feb if the schedules don't get whacked too bad...

  Nick

   

• #135 by on 12 Dec, 2007 19:48
• I'll be in FL from Dec. 18th through Jan 3rd.... I *really* hope she goes up on the 2nd, it would be awesome to see another Shuttle launch
  
  I've got a question that hopefully someone out there can answer... I'm a contractor working for Boeing, I have a "grey-badge"... I know that with a "blue-badge" being a direct hire they get discounts and special access to Kennedy, does any of that apply to us contractors as well?  I understand if it doesn't, but I also think that would be a shame, 'cause we all work towards the same goals
• #136 by CTdave on 14 Dec, 2007 15:12
• I can't believe I am thinking about giving up my NASA VIP invitations to view from the Banana Creek/Saturn V area. With a 2 or 3a.m. launch time, my 3 and 5 year old kids wouldn't be having much fun waking up at 12 a.m.
  My wife is making me feel guilty to the point I understand it would be rough on the kids. Then again, it's ONE NIGHT. My 5 year old son gets up in the middle of the night from time to time anyway. Should I feel guilty? Somebody talk me out of canceling PLEASE! LOL
  Dave
• #137 by kimmern123 on 14 Dec, 2007 15:20
• Quote

  CTdave - 14/12/2007  5:12 PM
  
  I can't believe I am thinking about giving up my NASA VIP invitations to view from the Banana Creek/Saturn V area. With a 2 or 3a.m. launch time, my 3 and 5 year old kids wouldn't be having much fun waking up at 12 a.m.
  My wife is making me feel guilty to the point I understand it would be rough on the kids. Then again, it's ONE NIGHT. My 5 year old son gets up in the middle of the night from time to time anyway. Should I feel guilty? Somebody talk me out of canceling PLEASE! LOL
  Dave

  
  I'd definitely go. Think of this as something your son will always remember. You know "Once my dad took me to the Kennedy Space Center to see the space shuttle go up. Even better, we got to stay up in the middle of the night!!"  
  
  
• #138 by trekkerjel on 14 Dec, 2007 15:44
• Any chance the window would extend to Jan 19?  I'll be in Orlando Jan 19-20.  Can't believe I just miss it.   Right now it would land Jan 20, so maybe I would at least catch the sonic booms?
• #139 by psloss on 14 Dec, 2007 16:00
• Quote

  trekkerjel - 14/12/2007  11:44 AM
  
  Any chance the window would extend to Jan 19?  I'll be in Orlando Jan 19-20.  Can't believe I just miss it.   Right now it would land Jan 20, so maybe I would at least catch the sonic booms?

  As noted in the other thread, the next beta cutout wouldn't be until May.  It's not impossible that a two-day visit might coincide with something, but it also means you're going to need a lot of luck.