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#120
by
yorky10
on 04 Sep, 2008 00:30
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Hi guys,
I've been following this thread and managed to get 2 STS-125 causeway launch tickets including the astronaut lunch. It will be my first shuttle launch and I'm really looking forward to it. It should be an awesome sight, especially given that it's a night launch.
For the more seasoned campaigners, when is the best time to take the gamble and book flights/accommodation? Is it pretty safe once the shuttle has rolled to the pad or is there some other landmark in the processing flow I should wait for before committing to flights and hotels? I understand that issues can delay launch all the way up to T-0, just looking for advice on when the launch date is solid enough to start making travel arrangements.
Definately after rollout. If you can wait that long, after the Flight Readiness Review offers a bit more security on hitting the launch date (but never count on it you will only be disappointed). I usually book my flight after rollout because flights from the UK get expensive the closer to the flight date you book or I would wait. As someone has already said this is certainly going to be toughest trip I have ever planned. Not only Atlantis but Endeavour has got to be in good shape and with all the storm systems lurking in the Atlantic which could cause a rollback nearer to launch....... Im sure it will make the experience all the more rewarding when it all comes together :-)
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#121
by
Andrewwski
on 04 Sep, 2008 00:32
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Even in the US it's tough to book domestic flights at a reasonable cost with only the time you'd have after the FRR.
There's certainly plenty available, but if you want a decent price you've got to book early. And "book early" and "shuttle launch" don't belong in the same sentence.
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#122
by
yorky10
on 04 Sep, 2008 00:38
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Even in the US it's tough to book domestic flights at a reasonable cost with only the time you'd have after the FRR.
There's certainly plenty available, but if you want a decent price you've got to book early. And "book early" and "shuttle launch" don't belong in the same sentence.
Absolutely. Well fingers crossed Hanna will stay east and Ike will swing south
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#123
by
Chris Bergin
on 04 Sep, 2008 21:30
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It has slipped from the 8th. At least 10-11th, maybe a bit more.
100 percent not going to be the 8th now.
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#124
by
PhoenixRising
on 04 Sep, 2008 21:33
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Hi guys,
I've been following this thread and managed to get 2 STS-125 causeway launch tickets including the astronaut lunch. It will be my first shuttle launch and I'm really looking forward to it. It should be an awesome sight, especially given that it's a night launch.
For the more seasoned campaigners, when is the best time to take the gamble and book flights/accommodation? Is it pretty safe once the shuttle has rolled to the pad or is there some other landmark in the processing flow I should wait for before committing to flights and hotels? I understand that issues can delay launch all the way up to T-0, just looking for advice on when the launch date is solid enough to start making travel arrangements.
Definately after rollout. If you can wait that long, after the Flight Readiness Review offers a bit more security on hitting the launch date (but never count on it you will only be disappointed). I usually book my flight after rollout because flights from the UK get expensive the closer to the flight date you book or I would wait. As someone has already said this is certainly going to be toughest trip I have ever planned. Not only Atlantis but Endeavour has got to be in good shape and with all the storm systems lurking in the Atlantic which could cause a rollback nearer to launch....... Im sure it will make the experience all the more rewarding when it all comes together :-)
I'll be traveling from Dublin, but luckily I'll be traveling on standby tickets so my flight dates are flexible so all I really have to worry about is booking the hotel/rental car. I just hope the launch date doesn't slip too much that I have to be back in work!!
Great to see them rolling Atlantis out and let's hope they don't have to roll it back in with all these hurricanes lining up.
By the way, has anyone who got launch tickets received a tracking email from UPS? I just got one and I have no idea what it's for so I'm guessing it's the launch tickets. I can't think of anything else it might be. I read that the launch tickets wouldn't be shipped until the 22nd so wasn't expecting them for another few weeks. Anyone else get the email??
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#125
by
PhoenixRising
on 04 Sep, 2008 21:35
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It has slipped from the 8th. At least 10-11th, maybe a bit more.
100 percent not going to be the 8th now.
Thanks Chris. These updates are invaluable for those of us traveling from far afield and trying to make arrangements. Keep 'em coming! Thanks.
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#126
by
astrobrian
on 04 Sep, 2008 21:41
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There's certainly plenty available, but if you want a decent price you've got to book early. And "book early" and "shuttle launch" don't belong in the same sentence.
And it won't stop people like me from trying it either
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#127
by
kimmern123
on 05 Sep, 2008 14:21
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Well, my plans of attending the launch certainly have gone down the drain, as I'm now admitted to hospital, possibly having to amputate a toe. It's a shame, but I hope to make it some other time.
I wish all of you that are going to the launch a wonderful time!
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#128
by
ANDY_WALLACEGROVE
on 05 Sep, 2008 14:27
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As there appears to be so many of us "green waiver" holders travelling for the launch, can anyone suggest a decent pre/post launch venue as a meeting point? Everyone welcome of course!
For info, and just incase anyone else is planning to travel out of Heathrow, I am currently looking at 8th Oct, as hope to redo the NASA Upclose experience to see both stacks.
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#129
by
astrobrian
on 05 Sep, 2008 14:37
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that close to launch i doubt the up close tour would be going.
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#130
by
ANDY_WALLACEGROVE
on 05 Sep, 2008 15:01
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Thanks Astrobrian. Does anyone know how close to launch the tours operate?
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#131
by
Chris Bergin
on 05 Sep, 2008 15:02
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It has slipped from the 8th. At least 10-11th, maybe a bit more.
100 percent not going to be the 8th now.
Thanks Chris. These updates are invaluable for those of us traveling from far afield and trying to make arrangements. Keep 'em coming! Thanks.
Sure thing (note the official change of dates posted in the processing thread this morning). Now officially October 10 at 12:23am.
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#132
by
yorky10
on 05 Sep, 2008 15:24
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[/quote]
I'll be traveling from Dublin, but luckily I'll be traveling on standby tickets so my flight dates are flexible so all I really have to worry about is booking the hotel/rental car. I just hope the launch date doesn't slip too much that I have to be back in work!!
Great to see them rolling Atlantis out and let's hope they don't have to roll it back in with all these hurricanes lining up.
By the way, has anyone who got launch tickets received a tracking email from UPS? I just got one and I have no idea what it's for so I'm guessing it's the launch tickets. I can't think of anything else it might be. I read that the launch tickets wouldn't be shipped until the 22nd so wasn't expecting them for another few weeks. Anyone else get the email??
[/quote]
It actually said dispatched by 22nd Sept so sounds like they are on the way to you. Always a relief when you get them in your hand.
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#133
by
PhoenixRising
on 05 Sep, 2008 21:16
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It actually said dispatched by 22nd Sept so sounds like they are on the way to you. Always a relief when you get them in your hand.
It's definitely the tickets. The UPS tracking website shows the parcel as having originated in FL.
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#134
by
smndk
on 05 Sep, 2008 21:41
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Now mine are on the way too.
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#135
by
fura
on 05 Sep, 2008 21:56
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Now mine are on the way too.
Did you buy your tickets online when they were released? I wasn't even able to get on the webpage until they were sold out.
I booked a tour package with grayline tours instead, a bit more risky since they don't reschedule the tour if the launch date change less than 72 hours before.
As soon as Atlantis was on the pad I booked my flights, but that was before the official announcement of the new launch date so I will arrive on october 6th - there's plenty of stuff to do while waiting for the launch though:-).
I'm also one of the "green waiver" holders, travelling from stockholm via chicago to orlando.
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#136
by
rookie11
on 05 Sep, 2008 22:05
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Thanks Astrobrian. Does anyone know how close to launch the tours operate?
I would be interested to know that as well. Would KSC Visitor Complex have a definitive answer?
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#137
by
smndk
on 05 Sep, 2008 22:10
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Yes i did by my tickets online when they were released. I got Launch Transportation Tickets including Dine With An Astronaut. I got the tip at this forum that tickets which included Dine With An Astronaut usally sold out slower than just the LTT tickets.
I will arrive october 4th in Miami.
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#138
by
paul68
on 06 Sep, 2008 07:48
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A few weeks ago there was something about a membermeeting before the launch. Is it still going on? And if so, will this be at Space View Park in Titusville??
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#139
by
shuttlepilot
on 06 Sep, 2008 11:11
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I have bought tickets from Gator Tours (actually my father's friend from the U.S. did it for us) for October 8 launch. I hope they are valid for October 10 attempt? Sorry for bothering you, I haven't read their rules because, as I said, it was my father's friend who was buying them for us, and we hadn't got any message from her since the launch was moved to October 10.
