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#180
by
PhoenixRising
on 16 Sep, 2008 11:20
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@Ray
That's great. Thanks for the pics too - good to get an idea of what it's like for us first timers.
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#181
by
clegg78
on 16 Sep, 2008 14:13
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Do you have any pictures of how people are situated on the causeway for the launch? just curious how much of a mob it is.
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#182
by
Ray Todd
on 16 Sep, 2008 14:30
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Yes I do, check back tonight and I will post a couple...
Ray.
Do you have any pictures of how people are situated on the causeway for the launch? just curious how much of a mob it is.
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#183
by
yorky10
on 16 Sep, 2008 15:10
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Do you have any pictures of how people are situated on the causeway for the launch? just curious how much of a mob it is.
Rays's pictures will give you a better idea but until he posts them, unless you want to position a tripod for pictures and video etc. the view is not obstructed significantly from anywhere on the causeway.
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#184
by
clegg78
on 16 Sep, 2008 16:00
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Yeh I am planning to bring a tripot and a nice camera to it... so I am hope'n for a spot to set that up.
Thanks Ray!
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#185
by
fredm6463
on 16 Sep, 2008 16:21
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Hi
We booked the vip tour at grayline to the causeway. Anybody here who has done that before?
As newbe's we could ask ourselves..how do we find the right bus back in the dark after the launch..:-)
I've only ever been on KSC buses but they generally ask you to stay in the section of the causeway directly next to your bus. Which can be unfortunate because a number of small islands block the view slightly. You can still see the vehicle just not the base of the pad even if obstructed so its a pretty good view from where ever you are. Keep your fingers crossed for a position on the western end of the causeway because that can be up to half a mile closer which doesnt sound a lot but its acually close to 10% closer.
How many buses are there and how many people? I missed buying the causeway tickets, but hope to get one for future flight.
I had been at Endeavour's maiden launch in May 1992 and a Columbia launch in February 1994. At that time the bus ticket was $7.00 and individual cars had passes to the causeway as well. But all that changed to buses only after 9/11.
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#186
by
fura
on 16 Sep, 2008 19:14
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I hope there'll be more forum members at the same tour! (must be;-)
I'm going on the same tour, grayline has confirmed the launch date on the 10th - pickup about 4 - 5 pm on the 9th.
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#187
by
rookie11
on 16 Sep, 2008 21:38
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Where on causeway is the countdown clock? Could we walk up to it and pose for pictures?
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#188
by
psloss
on 16 Sep, 2008 21:46
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Where on causeway is the countdown clock? Could we walk up to it and pose for pictures?
Are you talking about the clock we see on TV? If so, that's at the press site, which is a different area than the causeway viewing site.
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#189
by
yorky10
on 16 Sep, 2008 22:30
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Where on causeway is the countdown clock? Could we walk up to it and pose for pictures?
No clock or big screen at causeway.
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#190
by
Ray Todd
on 16 Sep, 2008 22:52
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Hope this gives you some idea of what to expect. It is quite crowded. I wouldn't go down to the shore line as it get's crowded. We (my son and I) stayed back near the road and got a great view and moved away from the engine noise of the various buses and could hear the countdown.
Ray.
Yes I do, check back tonight and I will post a couple...
Ray.
Do you have any pictures of how people are situated on the causeway for the launch? just curious how much of a mob it is.
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#191
by
Lemons
on 17 Sep, 2008 07:37
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Alright, I've been luking on here for a bit just sucking in the info and getting excited about the possibility of going to see a luanch.
I got my NASA invitation a few days ago and it seems a little different from the congressional tickets that get described here. It included a pass to park at the Debus conference center and includes an invitation to a briefing the day before the launch.
Does anyone know whay I can expect with this?
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#192
by
jacqmans
on 17 Sep, 2008 08:07
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Hope this gives you some idea of what to expect. It is quite crowded. I wouldn't go down to the shore line as it get's crowded. We (my son and I) stayed back near the road and got a great view and moved away from the engine noise of the various buses and could hear the countdown.
Ray.
Can you post a map (part of a map) and then mark the spot were you were and took the pictures from...That launch photo is very nice, so the spot were you were has a good sight of the launch pad...good info that I can use for my trip to Florida for STS-126...
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#193
by
Ray Todd
on 17 Sep, 2008 12:37
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Go to google earth or maps. Get the view of KSC and look for the NASA Parkway. In my first picture, you will see the drawbridge. We were on the eastern side of the drawbridge.
Can you post a map (part of a map) and then mark the spot were you were and took the pictures from...That launch photo is very nice, so the spot were you were has a good sight of the launch pad...good info that I can use for my trip to Florida for STS-126...
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#194
by
Fourthwall
on 17 Sep, 2008 12:48
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I've got my LTT ticket etc but still trying to work out how to get to KSC (I want to get there in the morning soak up atmosphere etc). I don't drive (from UK) - would it be possible to get a one way taxi to KSC earlier in the morning (I have the access placard)? Can base myself either in Orlando or Titusville.
Any tips?
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#195
by
jeff2space
on 17 Sep, 2008 14:46
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#196
by
fredm6463
on 17 Sep, 2008 15:25
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You are correct. The only problem that I had with the PA system was that the speakers were across the street from where the public was and in engine noise from the buses drowned out what was being said. If you found a good place to set, you could hear fine.
What I found funny was that you also heard advisory notices to the effect that 'launches are inherently dangerous and poses a threat to anyone nearby' and the fact that the exhaust cloud contains droplets of acid and should an explosion occur to get back on the bus as soon as possible. I guess the attorneys had to have their say in this. This, by the way, wasn't bad, I just thought it was funny.
The first picture I uploaded shows where the speakers are in relation to the buses. The people are obviously on the other side of the buses.
The second picture shows the view of the launch pad from the causeway.
Hope this helps.
Am I right in saying that there is a PA system set up on the Causeway for the launch commentary? Is it the live audio feed from NASA TV, including all the holds and polls?
What camera and what zoom lens were used to take the picture?
Thanks,
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#197
by
jeff2space
on 17 Sep, 2008 15:32
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What camera and what zoom lens were used to take the picture?
Thanks,
After you download (open) the photo, right click on it, select Properties, Summary tab, Advanced. It will give you all the info.
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#198
by
fredm6463
on 17 Sep, 2008 15:45
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What camera and what zoom lens were used to take the picture?
Thanks,
After you download (open) the photo, right click on it, select Properties, Summary tab, Advanced. It will give you all the info.
That doesn't tell me what focal length lens was used to capture the image.
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#199
by
paul68
on 17 Sep, 2008 18:36
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Let's hope they shut down the busengines, don't need airco at night;-)
What happens between pickuptime ans launchtime? can't really make it up from the Grayline site..
