STS-124: Discovery Viewing

[ChrisGebhardt]

perdomo - 21/4/2008  10:02 PM

Hi!

 I would like to see the rollover and take pictures. How long takes the rollover? Do you think could be useful take the Up Close tour  during the rollover.  Could you help me with a good tip for that day?

 Thanks Armando.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perdomo/sets/72157602374781892/

Rollovers take approx. 30mins to 1hr. They usually targeted for early in the morning.

[DaveDoop]

yorky10 - 18/4/2008  8:56 PM

Does anyone know if the the tours run on rollout day, observation gantry etc... ??

What they will do if it is rolling out to the PAD, is the tours will take you somewhere near the press site (i think) and they will allow you to take photos, but they wont let you get to the Observation Gantry. Oh, also, the Saturn 5 center will be open, so that wont be a problem.

...After hard down, they might open the Observation Gantry, but i'm not sure about that... if they do, then that will be a great site to see the shuttle on the pad and the RSS out of the way!!

- David

[ChrisGebhardt]

DaveDoop - 22/4/2008  1:16 AM

yorky10 - 18/4/2008  8:56 PM

Does anyone know if the the tours run on rollout day, observation gantry etc... ??

What they will do if it is rolling out to the PAD, is the tours will take you somewhere near the press site (i think) and they will allow you to take photos, but they wont let you get to the Observation Gantry. Oh, also, the Saturn 5 center will be open, so that wont be a problem.

...After hard down, they might open the Observation Gantry, but i'm not sure about that... if they do, then that will be a great site to see the shuttle on the pad and the RSS out of the way!!

- David

Pretty sure all you can see from the Observation gantry is the top of the ET and SRBs. The RSS blocks the view of the Orbiter at Pad-A.

[Bruce]

I'm going to be in the US over the launch weekend. So I'm thinking about flying to Florida to view the launch. I haven't looked into flights, hotels, yet. But I'm presuming that's easy. Having never visited KSC before, I'm thinking that viewing from the KSC visitor centre would be good. Unfortunately the tickets for the closer site are sold out.

Any advice on the best place to view the launch? Is Titusville better than the KSC visitor centre?

I'm assuming that I'd need to fly to Orlando (from Atlanta), then rent a car and drive to KSC. Any suggestions from experienced launch viewers will be very appreciated.

[Andrewwski]

Titusville is WAY better than KSC Visitor's Center.  I've never seen one from the Visitors Center, but from pictures and videos you cannot see the vehicle rise off the pad, and then after that there's power lines in the way too.

Titusville is completely unobstructed...you can see the pad, it's amazingly close through binoculars, and there's no obstructions whatsoever.  It's a few miles further, but I don't think the distance is significant when you have that much better of a view.

Orlando's the closest major airport...easiest to get into also.  AirTran's major hub is in Atlanta so they have a ton of direct flights from Atlanta to Orlando.  There's a ton of other airlines too, so you should have no problem getting a flight (book soon though, because flights are always cheaper to book in advance).

Or you could drive from Atlanta to Titusville/KSC.  Mapquest shows it as about 7 and a half hours.  Flying is obviously quicker though, although I can't say either of those airports are my favorite (Orlando is great if you don't check luggage, otherwise it's a wait).

I'd drive in the night before or quite early that day, as the entire area gets packed.  Watching the traffic reports when I was in Titusville for STS-118, the Beeline or Beachline or whatever they call it now was backed up about 20 miles outside of Titusville.

If you rent a car, pay the extra few bucks and get a GPS with it.  Only way you can get in and out of the area in a reasonable time (the back roads), and even if you're staying there a few days it's helpful in areas you don't know.

I've only seen one launch, but I'm pretty familiar with the area, so good luck!

[ChrisGebhardt]

^ ^ What he said. The only thing I'd emphasize from living in the area is to fly in the night before. Also, if you're coming from Atlanta, you may also consider flying AirTran into Daytona Beach. It might be cheaper than Orlando, the traffic on the drive down to Titvusville won't be quite as bad, and it's a little closer to KSC. If you want more info just PM me and I'd be happy to help.

[jeff2space]

NASA Causeway Launch Transportation and Admissions tickets arrived today from KSCVC!!!

[yorky10]

Bruce - 2/5/2008  12:08 AM

I'm going to be in the US over the launch weekend. So I'm thinking about flying to Florida to view the launch. I haven't looked into flights, hotels, yet. But I'm presuming that's easy. Having never visited KSC before, I'm thinking that viewing from the KSC visitor centre would be good. Unfortunately the tickets for the closer site are sold out.

Any advice on the best place to view the launch? Is Titusville better than the KSC visitor centre?

I'm assuming that I'd need to fly to Orlando (from Atlanta), then rent a car and drive to KSC. Any suggestions from experienced launch viewers will be very appreciated.

Fly from Manchester or Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic into Orlando International - MCO  (as appose to Sanford with all other airlines) Big time saver. KSC 45 mins east. Titusville is by far the best spot except for the nasa causeway. If you need any more info PM me. I have been over from the UK a number of times to see launches (and unfortunately missed one or two so you can learn from my mistakes)

Good Luck :-)

[Bruce]

Thanks for the advice. I will be viewing the launch from Titusville, with Trekkie07. An unofficial NSF launch party

As I will be in the US that weekend, I'm flying in from Atlanta. Watch the launch on Saturday, and then visit KSC on Sunday, unless there's another launch attempt.

I've watched the launch on TV so many times, I'm really looking forward to seeing one live.

[JLicklider]

I finally get to go!  This will be my first trip to KSC and to see a launch!  I can't wait!  I am planning on viewing from Titusville based on the opinions of other posts.  Spaceview Park ( I think thats what its called).  I am worried about the traffic though.  Is it really that bad?
What mistakes should I avoid to make this the best possible experience?


Maybe we should make a sign and start an official NSF viewing party there in Titusville.  

Joey

[Andrewwski]

Almost all domestic flights go to MCO, so that won't be a problem for you.  I don't know of any flights that go to Sanford except international ones (even then, I always assumed more of them went to MCO, but I guess that's not the case...).

JLicklider...yes...fear the traffic.  Especially since it'll be a weekend afternoon launch...more likely to get people to come out than a weekday morning  or the middle of the night.  Titusville will be absolutely packed.  My advice is to take it easy...get their early, and stay awhile after until traffic clears up.  Or try and use a GPS to navigate the side streets...it worked in my case, but I don't know how lucky we were.  US1 down to 528 will be at a standstill, as well as in the north direction.

I was originally planning on going to Spaceview Park, but got there and decided against it.  They were parking people everywhere as all the surrounding lots were full, many people were directed to a field.  The place was absolutely packed...people were everywhere.  We headed down US1 and found a restaurant called Paul's Steakhouse or Paul's Smokehouse or something that was charging $10 for parking, and went there.  It was wonderful as being August it was in the 90's and humid, so the A/C and bathrooms were nice.  A lot of restaurants and businesses along the water were doing the same.  The lots were filling up by about 3:00 for a 6:35 launch though...so get there early.

One mistake that I was advised to avoid, and glad I did avoid, was taking pictures.  Don't worry  about a camera or video recorder.  If you want to use one, set it on a tripod and let it get what it gets.  I adjusted my camcorder without looking at it, figuring I'd capture what I got.  If it's going to be your first launch or you don't see them a lot (like me), you don't want to watch the entire thing through a viewfinder.

It's spectacular with the naked eye, and a lot of people will advise against binoculars to take in the entire experience.  I loved seeing it through binoculars though...it was amazing what kind of detail I could see.  I switched back and forth between the two of them.

Another thing...bring water...lots of it.

[ChrisGebhardt]

I'll be going to the launch as I live in the area. I've already talked with Bruce and we're going to watch together. I have a place that I normally watch from that's about one mile closer to KSC than Spaceview park. Parking is usually a little easier here as you're smack-dab in the middle of the river on a little strip of road. If anyone else would like to join us, that would be great. We can figure out transportation and logistics later as it would be best to take as few cars as possible, preferably only ONE!  Just PM me and let me know if you're interested in joining us. Also, if you want pics of what the launch will look like from this location just PM. I've got serveral from the STS-122 launch last February.

Furthermore, I agree with Andrewwski... if this is your first launch, forget the camera! It's much better to just watch it go up. Binoculars are good, but just remember to look up from them every once in a while. I forgot my binoculars and camera for STS-120 last year and it is honestly the launch that springs to mind everytime in my head. There's really something to be said for just watching it go!

P.S. If you watch STS-124 with me, I'll have my camera so I can still email you pictures (or maybe a movie) after the launch.  Also, I'll have my scanner with me so we'll get the official NASA TV commentary.

[TJL]

Bruce - 5/5/2008  3:45 AM

Thanks for the advice. I will be viewing the launch from Titusville, with Trekkie07. An unofficial NSF launch party

As I will be in the US that weekend, I'm flying in from Atlanta. Watch the launch on Saturday, and then visit KSC on Sunday, unless there's another launch attempt.

I've watched the launch on TV so many times, I'm really looking forward to seeing one live.

Bruce...you will not be disappopinted with the view from Titusville.
I attended the STS-118 launch last August and watched it from the Clarion Inn (the old Holiday Inn ) parking lot...10 unobstructed miles from LC 39A. I believe they charged $10 for parking on launch day.
Just to give you some information...don't get too concerned with photos...take a couple but ENJOY the experience...or video tape it from a tri-pod.
The view with bioculars is outstanding!
You will experience the "sound" of launch roughly 50 to 60 seconds after lift-off...it's very impressive!
You may want to bring a portable radio to follow the countdown....and you definately want to have something to drink with you.
As far as traffic...there will no doubt be traffic, but after seeing the launch....you won't really mind.
ENJOY!!

[Bruce]

I'm presuming that KSC Visitor Center will be busy on the Sunday. Lots of others, like me, there to see the launch on the Saturday, and then see KSC on the Sunday. Is it recommended to book a ticket, and a tour, online before I go? Do they do tours the day after a launch?

Not sure what to do on Saturday morning, but heading out of Titusville isn't probably a good idea I guess (traffic hassles getting back there). Any suggestions? Hall of Fame perhaps.

[jeff2space]

Trekkie07, can you share what scanner frequency I can find NASA TV?  I'll be watching from NASA Causeway but it's always hard to hear the PA system there.  This will be my third launch and this time I will take everyone's advice and not worry about taking pictures.  I have some pretty good pictures from STS-116 and STS-120 so this time I'm just going to enjoy the launch.

[ChrisGebhardt]

jeff2space - 5/5/2008  7:34 PM

Trekkie07, can you share what scanner frequency I can find NASA TV?  I'll be watching from NASA Causeway but it's always hard to hear the PA system there.  This will be my third launch and this time I will take everyone's advice and not worry about taking pictures.  I have some pretty good pictures from STS-116 and STS-120 so this time I'm just going to enjoy the launch.

Scanner frequency 146.940

[yorky10]

jeff2space - 6/5/2008  12:34 AM

Trekkie07, can you share what scanner frequency I can find NASA TV?  I'll be watching from NASA Causeway but it's always hard to hear the PA system there.  This will be my third launch and this time I will take everyone's advice and not worry about taking pictures.  I have some pretty good pictures from STS-116 and STS-120 so this time I'm just going to enjoy the launch.

Definately hard to hear the PA. I was between 2 speakers at un equal distance (very confusing). I would have been lost without my scanner.

[rspeed]

Hello everyone - one of my party has had to drop out of viewing the launch, so I've found myself with a spare ticket to the NASA causeway (launch transportation ticket)

Does anyone want it?  Cost would be just the face value.  Please drop me an email if so.

Richard (who booked a flight the day before May 31 started to look a bit dodgy...)

[Bruce]

yes please!

I'm presuming that if I can get a LTT, that would be better than Titusville? As much as I'm looking forward to the "NSF Launch Party" at Titusville, the opportunity of a LTT seems too good to miss out on.

[Chris Bergin]

RELEASE: 09-08

AIRSPACE, ROAD, BRIDGE AND WATERWAY CLOSURES FOR STS-124 MISSION

Launch Date: May 31, 2008
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Window: 4:56 - 5:07 p.m. EDT
Targeted Launch Time: 5:02 p.m. EDT

NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

What: Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
When: From 9:57 a.m. until no later than 5:40 p.m. Saturday, May 31.
Where: General aviation and visual flight rules operations are
prohibited within a 30-nautical-mile radius of Kennedy's Launch Pad
39A from the surface to, but not including, 18,000 feet located on
the Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles.
Pilots should obtain NOTAM information regarding affected airports.

Aeronautical Chart in Use: Orlando Class B airspace

Additional Airspace Restrictions: Within an airspace radius between 30
and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39A, a discrete transponder code must be
obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before
entering this airspace. Continuous radio communications must be
maintained. All VFR aircraft are restricted to 180 knots or less
unless a variance is granted by air traffic control. Pilots should
obtain NOTAM information to determine the affected airports within
this radius before departure.

NOTAM Information: St. Petersburg Flight Service Station
Telephone: 1-800-992-7433
Radio frequencies: 123.6 MHz (Titusville) and 122.6 MHz (Melbourne)

Radio Communications: FAA Orlando Approach Control
Titusville/Cocoa area: 134.950 MHz
Melbourne area: 132.650 MHz
South Volusia County: 125.350 MHz
Space Coast Regional Airport control tower: 118.9 MHz

PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD CLOSURES:

- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore will close for launch on
Tuesday, May 27, at 6 p.m. The Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge will
close for launch on Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m.
- State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 south from the
Haulover Canal Bridge to State Road 402 leading to Titusville will be
open to badged personnel. These roads will close to all vehicle
traffic at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, until after a successful
launch has occurred.
- State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification
Building to State Road 405, NASA Causeway, via Space Commerce Way
will be closed for launch beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.
NASA Causeway between the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex also will close starting at that time.
Roads will reopen approximately two hours after launch. The Cape
Canaveral National Seashore will reopen one day after launch.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 (L-3 days),
and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in
effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north
end of Kennedy, and southward to Port Canaveral. Four hours prior to
launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from entering an
area measured from nine miles north and south of the launch pad and
extending 64 nautical miles east into the ocean. An additional
three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended eastward along the
flight path of the space shuttle.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to the
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
Restrictions begin 72 hours prior to launch.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito
Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning 72 hours prior to launch.

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal
south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north.
This restriction is effective 72 hours prior to launch.

All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after
launch. Boating interests should monitor U.S. Coast Guard Channel 16
broadcasting from Port Canaveral.