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#100 by Nick on 27 Oct, 2009 08:55
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
If you've got a LTT, you get given an arrival time IIRC. Can't help you with traffic - I only drove in from Titusville, and it was three years ago, before Shuttle launches got to the "last few stock remaining" stage. -
#101 by lloyd1986 on 27 Oct, 2009 09:56
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I've got a spare (maybe 2) LTT tickets if anyone is interested
I'll come if the launch gets scrubbed on the 16th and i cant use my expensive gator tickets
I'll pay you too!
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#102 by Davidgojr on 27 Oct, 2009 18:03
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
For STS-128, I drove from Tampa several times over to KSC. Each time took about 3 hours or so. I would make sure you give yourself the 3 hours plus make sure you get to your viewing site a couple of hours early so you get good spots. -
#103 by dmurphy on 28 Oct, 2009 03:29
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Can somebody tell me how early you think I should get there and how much traffic I can expect? I will be driving from Tampa launch day and want to get there early (as early as I can get my dad to go).
Thanks
For STS-128, I drove from Tampa several times over to KSC. Each time took about 3 hours or so. I would make sure you give yourself the 3 hours plus make sure you get to your viewing site a couple of hours early so you get good spots.
Hehehe.... for STS-125, I camped out for about 2 hours in front of the Tour entrance. They had it roped off and didn't want anyone blocking the entrance, but we were off to the side and the security folks were really great about it .... they realize how excited you are!
I felt like a mule; between my dad and I, we brought two chairs, 3 cameras, one stupidly-heavy lens (Sigma 50-500mm), three tripods, two sandwiches, two huge bottles of water, and a pair of binoculars. It was heavy but we just lumped it and we were fine! -
#104 by Kabong on 29 Oct, 2009 13:13
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I hope you guys don't mind a noob to NASASpaceFlight.now logging in here and sharing this. I plan to post here more in the future, so this isn't a flyby "neener-neener" type post, I promise.
I am one of the 100 lucky folks attending the STS-129 tweetup. I'm a life-long space geek and viewing a Shuttle launch live, in person, has been a life-long dream of mine. Super-geeked to be selected, and have never won anything like that in my life. Can't wait!
My blog post below includes info on the tweetup as well as some Twitter accounts you might want to follow (including my own: @Ageekmom on Twitter.com) if you're interested in receiving tweets from the 100 tweetup attendees.
http://geekhabitat.com/1862/attend-a-shuttle-launch-in-person-yes/
Ditto on this, I'll also be attending the Tweetup. I'll do my best to post updates and pictures throughout the event: @Kabong.Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I've been to KSC three times for shuttle launches and have not ever had an issue with bringing bags in. Specifically, I usually bring an over the shoulder bag with a folding chair, tripod over the shoulder bag, a bag for camera + lenses and sometimes a Publix grocery store bag with some food + drink. As said before, the security folks are pretty friendly and if for some reason they turn you around because the bag doesn't meet their criteria, it's not that far of a walk to the parking lot to put it back in your vehicle. -
#105 by LSenus on 02 Nov, 2009 17:48
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Here's some info from our STS-125 launch trip:
Pre-Launch viewing:
Playalinda beach will be closed 3 days prior to the launch.
Space View Park in Titusville is the best place to view the pads from. It's 12+ miles from the pads, but a direct line of sight. Make sure you have a BIG lens for your camera. 400mm or longer is highly recommended, with a sturdy tripod. Lenses are available for rent from many companies on the internet.
We had a group of NSF folks meet in Titusville for dinner at Dixie Crossroads restaurant.
Day of launch:
Find out for sure where your viewing point is. (Causeway, Saturn 5 center, KSC visitor ctr., etc.)
When we were down for STS-125, we had causeway tix through Gator tours. This was a bus pickup in Orlando to the KSC visitor center. If you are bringing folding chairs, soft sided coolers, etc, put them in the cargo hold of the bus.
Once arriving at KSC Visitor Center you will have to clear through a security screening in order to enter the visitor complex.
Most likely, you will have some time to tour the attractions. I recommend doing the Shuttle Launch Experience as soon as you arrive to help avoid long lines and to make sure you can get back on your bus in time.
While you are touring the visitor center, the bus you arrived on will go through a security screening to check for weapons, explosives, etc. We were able to leave items on the bus and they were there waiting for us. If you are bringing folding chairs, small coolers etc. put them in the cargo hold of the bus. They will be inspected, and if safe, allowed to remain on the bus for the trip to the causeway. Once the bus is cleared it will be directed to a secure parking area to await your return.
The line to get back on your bus for transport to the causeway is the same lines they use for the KSC "Then & Now" and "Up Close" tours. There was little in the way of signage or directions to inform you of this. Take my word, you will be able to get on the same bus you arrived on.
Recommended items to bring:
-Camera gear (Lots of it) I borrowed another D-SLR body from a friend so that I was able to have multiple lenses operating at the same time.
- 3G enabled device - To get to NSF of Course!
-Umbrella type folding chairs - NOT metal folding lawn chairs
-Soft side cooler to hold drinks, cold sandwiches. ### ITEM TO NOTE ### Hot dogs and drinks were available on the causeway, but 45 minutes in line for a limit of 6 waters in 97 degree hot sun was not fun. ### Depending on the time of the launch, concessions may not be provided on the causeway. ###
-Sunscreen
-Small folding umbrella for shade.
-Small folding shade shelter - these generally sell for about $25-30 and are the small folding type you would typically see on the beach. No more than 40" or so in height.
-Hand towels from the hotel - It's hot, you're going to sweat. Plus they can be used to cover your camera gear to help keep it cool to avoid heat distortion of the focal elements.
Post-Launch Activities:
Playalinda beach will be open 1-2 days after the launch.
From the parking area at Playalinda beach to the KSC fence on the beach is approximately 1 mile.
The "Then & Now" and "Up Close" tours were running 2 days after the launch.
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#106 by Downix on 05 Nov, 2009 01:16
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If it looks good for the 16th I'll be driving from Tampa, if anyone wishes to carpool. I'm too poor to get tickets but I am plotting on setting up a view camera in titusville.
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#107 by n8wgb on 07 Nov, 2009 10:25
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I hate to bring this up, but any comments on Tropical Storm Ida? This will be my 3rd time trying to see a launch. I'm trying Gator tours this time...
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#108 by NavySpaceFan on 07 Nov, 2009 10:54
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I hate to bring this up, but any comments on Tropical Storm Ida? This will be my 3rd time trying to see a launch. I'm trying Gator tours this time...
Just saw a forecast, Ida is expected to remain in the Gulf of Mexico as an extra-tropical low pressure system. -
#109 by n8wgb on 07 Nov, 2009 11:04
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I hope so, but the synoptic winds will be fairly strong along a front that is now forecast to be in N. Florida when Ida does become extra-tropical. Let's hope it moves faster than now forecast and is out of the area by then.
Almost no storms all year, and now one in November... -
#110 by Hutch100 on 07 Nov, 2009 13:24
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue? I am guessing there will be an FRR or MMT meeting?
I am thinking of travelling from the UK for my 3rd attempt to see a launch. -
#111 by psloss on 07 Nov, 2009 13:38
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue? I am guessing there will be an FRR or MMT meeting?
The Flight Readiness Review(s) already occurred; this will be reviewed at the L-2 Mission Management Team meeting, which I believe is currently set for November 14.
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#112 by Aobrien on 07 Nov, 2009 15:46
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When do you normally receive your Congressional tickets? We are almost a week away from launch (Can't believe we are already so close!) and I haven''t gotten my tickets yet. I won't be leaving till the day of launch anyway cause I am only in Tampa but I just want to make sure it is all normal. Thanks!
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#113 by 32s on 08 Nov, 2009 00:57
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they do not send out Congressional tickets. you will receive a email telling you where to meet at for the bus (sears).
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#114 by lsullivan411 on 08 Nov, 2009 03:47
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The NASASpaceflight/MaxQEntertainment video and photographer team is now in Titusville preparing for our STS-129 launch coverage. Thought we'd give you a shot tonight from across the river. This is from the Clarion hotel.
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#115 by Ford Mustang on 08 Nov, 2009 06:11
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And two more we got from fiddling around late at night.....
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#116 by ysuindy on 08 Nov, 2009 15:33
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Thanks so much for the advice. We're traveling from California, so any chairs, etc will have to be purchased there in Florida. Should we count on them having the umbrella chairs there for purchase or would you suggest we find a Walmart (or likewise place) to get them ahead of time?
Another question...or two :-) .... the gal I talked to said the package includes a 2 day pass to KSC. Is that so if the launch is delayed a day you can come back in the next day for the buses? .... or is that because the launch is in the middle of the day and one has a day to visit the center and a day to catch the launch? If it is the latter, would you go the day before the launch on the Up Close tour to see the shuttle on the launch pad closely?
Oooops another question comes to mind... the KSC website says no large bags allowed. How does one bring the food, water, camera, binoculars and an umbrella without a large bag?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Regarding the folding chairs. My son and I flew to Orlando and stopped at a Walmart near the Orlando airport to pick up a couple of $10 umbrella style chairs for the STS 127 launch. We carried them around all week and then ended up giving them to our bus driver after the successful launch.
I used this site and tripadvisor a lot to get ready. I put a detail report out on the tripadvisor site
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60751-i2474-k2959163-Space_shuttle_launch_trip_report_STS_127_Endeavour-Titusville_Florida.html
We made 3 trips with our LTT tickets before seeing the launch. It seems we took less and less with us each time. We also starting waiting longer and longer to get on the busses each time.
The secuirty check is right insider the door of the Visitor Center - there was no additional security check before you get on the LTT busses - but they make you take everything with you. We took a small soft sided cooler with drinks - we always brought some back unused. I really had just our chairs, the cooler, our camera bag and another small bag with a few snacks and reading material. The more you bring in the more you have to deal with carrying it around the Vicsitor Center and haing to watch it.
n
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#117 by Chris Bergin on 08 Nov, 2009 15:38
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Does anyone know when the final go/no go decision will be made on the MEI issue?
They want their data in by Nov 11, but as noted above, the L-2 (days) MMT is the main overview: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-atlantis-ordnance-mei-evaluations-continuing/
We're not expecting this to be a problem for the launch date. SSP just doesn't leave any stone unturned (which is awesome) and we simply cover everything for shuttle....which is why we're doing a fair bit of coverage on this. -
#118 by kartmarc on 08 Nov, 2009 16:10
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Hello,
I want to use a tripod to take pictures of the launch, as it apparently is possible. Are there any size limits to be admitted ? My tripod is 67.5 cm heigh when folded. -
#119 by ysuindy on 09 Nov, 2009 01:15
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Hello,
I want to use a tripod to take pictures of the launch, as it apparently is possible. Are there any size limits to be admitted ? My tripod is 67.5 cm heigh when folded.
I saw more than few large tripods. I think you should be ok. It seemed to be mostly about carrying it on to the bus and being able to store it in the overhead storage area.
I'll pay you too!