STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)

• #120 by ChrisGebhardt on 09 Nov, 2009 23:32
• Ok. That magical time of the year is here again! It’s Shuttle launch time! 
  
  For those of you who are planning on attending the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-129 next week, and who are interested in joining myself and three of the MaxQent.com members for an NSF dinner after launch on Monday, please send me a PM with your name and cell phone number that I can reach you at next Monday.
  
  The dinner plan:
  
  Where: Dixie Crossroads (that’s a seafood place in Titusville).
  When: 4 hours after liftoff (~6:30p.m.) on MONDAY, November 16.   (NOTE #1: If we should scrub on this day for weather or a technical reason, we WILL still meet for dinner on this day.  NOTE #2: If Atlas should scrub on November 14 and try again on November 15, this will push the NET launch date of STS-129 to Tuesday, November 17. If this occurs, we WILL meet for dinner at 6p.m. on NOVEMBER 17.)
  
• #121 by dahacker on 10 Nov, 2009 19:24
• STS-129 leaped over my Vacation window.  Does anyone know how the Shuttle being on the pad and the proximity to launch effect the "NASA up close" tours?   For example will I be able to go to the A/B Camera stop anytime from Nov 12-15?
  
  I'm going to be there, but it would be nice to know like does the tour stop short 48 hours before launch etc.  Then I could decide to hit KSC on the 13th instead of the 14th.
• #122 by Hutch100 on 10 Nov, 2009 22:47
• Does anyone know what time KSCVC opens on launch day?
• #123 by Ford Mustang on 10 Nov, 2009 23:35
• AFIAK, KSC VC is closed to the public on launch day unless you have the causeway tickets.
• #124 by wjbarnett on 11 Nov, 2009 02:10
• Any car without a placard is not admitted past security and therefore can't even get to KSCVC parking (I believe placards are issued for buying causeway or VC viewing tickets for launch day).  My placard says to arrive at 6am, so I assume they're open by then.
• #125 by Hutch100 on 11 Nov, 2009 08:28
• Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
  
  Have tickets to view from VC (no chance of getting Causeway this time as it was sold in seconds), the KSC website has issued tickets as print at home to the UK so no placard but it says may need to show tickets at any security to the car parks.
  
  Reason for asking - the press release says roads between Hall of Fame and VC close at 8.30am for launch which is earlier than the last arrival time on my tickets so thinking we need to be there well in advance but don't want to get turned away by security.
• #126 by Nick on 11 Nov, 2009 13:02
• Quote from: Hutch100 on 11 Nov, 2009 08:28

  Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
  

  
  I've got Causeway tickets and a placard for arrival no later than 8 am if that helps.
• #127 by Nick on 11 Nov, 2009 13:09
• Quote from: kartmarc on 08 Nov, 2009 16:10

  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.
  

  
  That's almost exactly the same folded size as mine (an old Slik Black Diamond) and I had no trouble whatsover.
  
  (Well, actually, I got it hopelessly tangled up in the little bits of elastic at the front of the rack, but that's not what you're asking...)
  
  
• #128 by Hutch100 on 11 Nov, 2009 14:03
• Quote from: Nick on 11 Nov, 2009 13:02

  Quote from: Hutch100 on 11 Nov, 2009 08:28

  Thanks, will go for 6am - 7am arrival.
  

  
  I've got Causeway tickets and a placard for arrival no later than 8 am if that helps.
  

  
  Thanks.  Not sure about the placard, had them before, have emailed to double check as this is my 3rd go and even though I couldn't get Causeway, still don't want to miss it from as close as I can get.
  
  Last time I went I had no problems with my camera bags etc but was asked to show my cameras working - folks on security were friendly so was no probs.
• #129 by pvmeistrel on 11 Nov, 2009 16:39
• 
  Our placard says arrive before 7am.  We'll be driving up from Cocoa Beach- Comfort Inn.  Is Hwy 3 on Merritt Island open on launch day?  Do we allow an extra hour for traffic??  What time should we leave Cocoa Beach that morning?
  
  Anyone heard what the long range forecasts for upper level winds, etc are suppose to be for launch day?
• #130 by Nick on 12 Nov, 2009 02:55
• Quote from: Hutch100 on 11 Nov, 2009 14:03

  Last time I went I had no problems with my camera bags etc but was asked to show my cameras working - folks on security were friendly so was no probs.
  

  
  Yes, I was asked to do that - it caused a bit of confusion as one of my camera bodies was film, so there was no little screen to light up. Everything was OK once I reminded the guy what film was...
  
  To everyone who's posted here worrying about they can take: relax! As Hutch100 says, the security people at KSC VC are friendly - they want you to have a good time... It's not an airport... They don't seem like jobsworths...
• #131 by darmok on 12 Nov, 2009 04:47
• Is anybody planning to go to Space View Park on Sunday night?
• #132 by Hutch100 on 12 Nov, 2009 16:00
• Sadly I don't have a LTT just a ticket for the visitors centre - anyone seen launches from both the VC & Titusville and can say which they thought was the best view?
• #133 by joncz on 12 Nov, 2009 16:19
• Hutch - you can see the shuttle on the pad at Space View Park.  I was told that you can't see the first 30 seconds or so from the VC because you're behind the trees.
  
• #134 by spacegirlnj on 12 Nov, 2009 18:19
• Hi Everyone,
  
  Glad I just found this board.  We're flying down for STS-129 and I just had a few questions. 
  
  We're staying on Disney property (making this a dual Disney/launch trip).  What time do you think we should leave the Lake Buena Vista area to make the 7am arrival time that we received for security?  Will we hit traffic that early? Thanks!
• #135 by Swee on 13 Nov, 2009 13:31
• Hi, if you are referring to the arrival time designated on your placard you received, they don't hold you to that time.  I think that is given so everyone doesn't pile into the lot at the same time.  You do want to get there pretty early as you will be standing in line, and then another line, but the time they designate on those is very early, I get causeway tickets for every launch and never had a problem arriving whenever I do.
• #136 by spacegirlnj on 13 Nov, 2009 14:41
• Thanks guys..... yup, we have causeway tickets and the time on our placard said to arrive by 7am.  Looks like it'll be a fabulously early morning  
• #137 by 2ninersavo on 13 Nov, 2009 16:37
• I have the Congressional Passes for this flight and we will stay in Titusville.Any idea of what time I need to leave for the mall.They said to be at the mall at 9am. If I leave about 5am maybe not a lot of traffic ? Thanks
• #138 by Rocket Guy on 13 Nov, 2009 16:48
• Quote from: 32s on 13 Nov, 2009 00:18

  i would leave no later than 3 a.m
  

  
  You're not going to hit four hours of traffic that early. Leave around 5-530.
• #139 by Swee on 13 Nov, 2009 17:48
• I have congressional passes as well for this one.  There is no huge rush hour around Titusville at all, Merritt Island may be busier but not enough to justify four hours.  I'd allow for an hour, maybe hour and a half, at most.