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#260
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 30 Mar, 2009 21:52
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Question - Is there any way for the public to see a rollover? I'll be in Florida around the time of Endeavour's LON-400 rollover to the VAB, and it'd be cool to see.
Only if you're a badged media member and have already submitted your request form.
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#261
by
Andrewwski
on 31 Mar, 2009 01:44
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Oh you lucky...
I know the standard KSC tour goes around the VAB and used to give views (not sure how great) of the OPF...will that part be re-routed during rollover? If not, it seems just as simple as getting on the tour bus at the right time and sitting on the right side.
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#262
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 31 Mar, 2009 02:27
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Oh you lucky...
I know the standard KSC tour goes around the VAB and used to give views (not sure how great) of the OPF...will that part be re-routed during rollover? If not, it seems just as simple as getting on the tour bus at the right time and sitting on the right side.
The tour does not give a good view of the OPF area for more than 5-seconds as the bus drives by on the main road to the Saturn V Visitor's Center. Plus, rollovers are scheduled for 6am or 7am and the tours don't start until 9 or 10 in the morning.
However, if rollouts occur during the day, the bus tours to the LC-39 Observation gantry are still run! So if you're lucky enough to be there on a rollout day (or the day they roll Endeavour around from 39-B to 39-A you'll get a great up close view.
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#263
by
Andrewwski
on 31 Mar, 2009 02:35
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Ah, good point, tours don't run that early.
Unfortunately I don't think I'll still be there for the rollout. Wish I was though.
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#264
by
Bubbinski
on 31 Mar, 2009 05:35
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Just thought of something.....
(Edited as the situation has already been taken care of. Thanks)
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#265
by
yorky10
on 31 Mar, 2009 09:55
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Question for everyone: if I take the KSC tour buses again (and I will), how close can I expect to get to Pad 39B?
Also for all of us visiting for this launch, don't forget about seeing those new 600 foot tall lightning towers! Those will make the Pad 39B area very hard to miss.
Best view by far of Pad B is from Playalinda beach in the wildlife refuge. Think it closes 4 days before launch but if you can get there it is an amazing view (see below)
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#266
by
rltvstc
on 31 Mar, 2009 16:00
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Just thought of something.....
I have the LTT tickets, the flight, the car, the motel booked. Everything's all lined up. But I don't have a car placard for KSCVC. I've checked the KSC VC web site and haven't seen anything so far on that. I imagine that I'd need one for launch day unless I could take a bus to the KSC VC....does SCAT (Brevard's bus system) go to KSC? Worst case I suppose I could take a taxi or just watch from Space View park in Titusville.
I've been to KSCVC for three launches, I've driven a rental into their parking lot each time. The only time I think I ever needed the placard was when I was coming in late from Orlando after a day at Disney for a night launch (there was a checkpoint set up). The other times I just drove right in.
If you arrive early enough, I don't know that anybody will be looking for a placard.
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#267
by
emg
on 31 Mar, 2009 16:38
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Have they announced a time yet?
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#268
by
Bubbinski
on 31 Mar, 2009 20:28
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Launch time is going to be 1:11 pm Eastern.
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#269
by
Andrewwski
on 01 Apr, 2009 01:56
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Chris G - Assuming I was there for rollout (depending on rollout date there's a chance), do the bus tours still run at all times? The gantry is right next to the crawlerway - so say I were to take one of the first tours in the morning, would I actually be that close to the vehicle rolling out?
Yorky - how is the view from Playalinda as compared to the stop on the Up Close tour (if you've ever been on it)? Is that picture taken from an area open to the public? Also, how is the view of Pad A from the beach?
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#270
by
Bubbinski
on 01 Apr, 2009 02:17
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Ah..I've been to Playalinda before. I won't be there until 2 days before launch though....after the launch hopefully I'll be able to go there and see Endeavour on the funky looking 39B (doesn't look right w/out its lightning tower). edit: spelling
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#271
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 01 Apr, 2009 03:05
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Chris G - Assuming I was there for rollout (depending on rollout date there's a chance), do the bus tours still run at all times? The gantry is right next to the crawlerway - so say I were to take one of the first tours in the morning, would I actually be that close to the vehicle rolling out?
Yorky - how is the view from Playalinda as compared to the stop on the Up Close tour (if you've ever been on it)? Is that picture taken from an area open to the public? Also, how is the view of Pad A from the beach?
Andrew -- I don't have any information on when the bus tours start; however, I do know that when Endeavour was rolled around from 39-B to 39-A the bus tours were running at least in the morning and people at the gantry were allowed to stay there as Endeavour came to the folk in the crawler way.
As for Playalinda Beach, the beach closes 3 days before liftoff and reopens the day after launch. All areas of the beach are open to the public but you will have to pay $3 to get in (well worth it). You'll be about 2-miles from 39-B and 3-miles from Pad-A. Check the original STS-125/400 thread on the public threads and you'll see some pics I took back in September when Endeavour had just been rolled to 39-B.
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#272
by
Andrewwski
on 01 Apr, 2009 03:19
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Cool, thanks! It's going to depend on rollout date then.
Being 2-3 miles away I assume Playalinda Beach doesn't extend directly behind the pads? That beach must be restricted?
What about the ocean directly behind the pads? Wouldn't make a bad sailing trip.
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#273
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 01 Apr, 2009 03:37
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Cool, thanks! It's going to depend on rollout date then.
Being 2-3 miles away I assume Playalinda Beach doesn't extend directly behind the pads? That beach must be restricted?
What about the ocean directly behind the pads? Wouldn't make a bad sailing trip.
Road goes directly behind the pads, as does the beach. Beach is not restricted, expect for those parts that fall on KSC grounds.
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#274
by
yorky10
on 01 Apr, 2009 19:59
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Yorky - how is the view from Playalinda as compared to the stop on the Up Close tour (if you've ever been on it)? Is that picture taken from an area open to the public? Also, how is the view of Pad A from the beach?
My picture was taken from the northern limit of the public area of the beach. The view of Pad A is very much the same as Pad B (but obviously further away) As regards the view of the pad on the Up Close tour... The up close tour doesnt visit either pad while they are occupied. When they are not occupied you obviously get pretty close but I assume you mean prior to STS-125 in May in which cast LC39 gantry is the closest stop.
The road to playalinda offers some good views of the pads with view points along the way. (pictures below) I have some more from up close tour of the empty pad. If you want me to send you them PM me.
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#275
by
PhoenixRising
on 01 Apr, 2009 23:05
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Anyone else get the email saying launch tickets for STS-125 go on sale on April 3rd? I have tickets which I bought last year for the cancelled launch in October but I thought all tickets sold out at the time. Unless some tickets have been returned due to last years long term scrub? The email does say 'Due to the launch date change, a limited number of tickets have already been sold.'
Good news I suppose for those of you looking for tickets.
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#276
by
CJones5461
on 01 Apr, 2009 23:35
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I believe if I read it correctly, the sale Friday will be for KSC visitors center viewing only. No more LTTs will be available.
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#277
by
Bubbinski
on 02 Apr, 2009 03:18
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That's right. LTT's are sold out. You'll be able to buy viewing tickets from KSC VC itself or from the AHOF (further away) from this point out.
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#278
by
LMSenus
on 02 Apr, 2009 14:41
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We were just able to score two VIP tix via Grey Line tour -- got the link from the KSC ticket site. We'll be there to watch her go!
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#279
by
floron
on 02 Apr, 2009 16:43
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yeah, i just booked through dolphin tours...their refund policy seems a bit better than Grey Line, although the tickets are 6 bucks more expensive. It's slightly annoying that they won't send the LTT tickets out ahead of schedule: you have to pick them up on the bus to KSC.
fingers crossed for a smooth countdown...
