Author Topic: STS-134 Endeavour: Viewing (Going to launch, landing etc.) (Read 584635 times)

solaria · « **Reply #180 on:** 03/11/2011 05:55 pm »

Got my lottery email. Mon 9am. I only need one ticket...should I buy 6? :-) so excited.

Sarah · « **Reply #181 on:** 03/11/2011 07:40 pm »

I intentionally took the Discover KSC tour at 10am on the 28th in hopes of seeing Endeavour sitting outside the VAB. I got what I was hoping for.

axgrind · « **Reply #182 on:** 03/11/2011 10:38 pm »

Quote from: solaria on 03/11/2011 05:55 pm

Got my lottery email. Mon 9am. I only need one ticket...should I buy 6? :-) so excited.

Darn....nothing in my email. Seriously get 6 dude...I'll take 2 off your hands no problem

spacedog71 · « **Reply #183 on:** 03/12/2011 01:46 am »

Quote from: axgrind on 03/11/2011 10:38 pm

Quote from: solaria on 03/11/2011 05:55 pm
Got my lottery email. Mon 9am. I only need one ticket...should I buy 6? :-) so excited.
Darn....nothing in my email. Seriously get 6 dude...I'll take 2 off your hands no problem

they will not be hard to unload. (i'd gladly buy one from you.)

you're only getting the one parking pass, but i have no doubt i'll be able to find my own way there and back.

Comga · « **Reply #184 on:** 03/12/2011 01:56 am »

Quote from: st3v3 on 03/10/2011 07:49 pm

Quote from: Ford Mustang on 03/10/2011 02:16 am
We would know if it was the 23rd by now. All things are currently pointing to the 19th. There's still a lot of time between now and then, though, so things *could* change, but everything as of right now says the 19th. Chris wouldn't withhold information like that.

I really hated to mention the word rumor on here. Actually, I hadn't heard it until I read back a couple of pages, hence the edit. Mostly wondering what info the tour companies are teasing everyone with.

A slip to the 23rd wouldn't hurt my feelings, my sons' school is probably tired of their absences due to these "special field trips"

A person from JSC leading one of the ancillary experiments on STS-134 told my colleagues emphatically that there was no known delay at this point, and no talk of problems with any of the payloads. This is not absolute, (now third hand from someone not directly working on Shuttle) but it's a pretty strong indication.

Orbiter · « **Reply #185 on:** 03/12/2011 06:21 pm »

Q: I'm planning on taking a group of say 4-5 friends to the launch in April, we're to leave by 3:15 and the launch is at 7:48 pm. From just based on the traffic for STS-133, for anyone who was there.. will it be possible to arrive on time for the launch?

Orbiter

ShuttleShel · « **Reply #186 on:** 03/12/2011 06:26 pm »

No email for me yet.

I'm taking that as a bad sign. I am afraid they threw my registration out. I signed up and then my husband, not paying attention to the fine print went and signed up while he was at work. It is different names and emails but the same home address.

Is this divorce worthy?

My hopes are still pinned on my senator. He asked for me back in January of 2010 and at the time NASA told him it's not guaranteed but I was asking very, very early and had a good chance. At that time there were still a few launches before STS-134 and that is what everyone's requests were focusing on. I really hope it is truly first come, first serve. With my luck I'll get the boot to appease some VIP.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #187 on:** 03/12/2011 06:33 pm »

No email for me yet either. I don't know how to take that. I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

Just in case I don't luck out on the "lottery" or go with one of the tour companies, what time should I be at Space View Park to get a decent spot for a 7:48 pm ET launch? And is wi-fi available?

NCC · « **Reply #188 on:** 03/12/2011 06:49 pm »

Newbie here. My first post in the forum.

I viewed STS-133 from Titusville, as I did STS-42 and two of the last three Moon shots. I witnessed Apollo XVI from Cocoa Beach.
The Apollo experience sure was different from the Shuttle experience.

I don't know if I'll succeed, but I'd like to make the last three Shuttle launches. One down, two to go.

Please excuse my ignorance. How hard is it to get a Causeway viewing? I see mentions made in this thread of an email from a "lottery", and apparently I am too late for that ... what location was it for?

After STS-133, I spent over five hours in heavy traffic to get to my hotel room in Kissimmee. I wouldn't want to repeat that experience. If I get to do another launch I'm thinking it would be best to bite the bullet and pay the inflated launch day hotel rates in the immediate area. Am I right?

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #189 on:** 03/12/2011 06:54 pm »

Even going to Cocoa Beach from KSC is about a 30 minute drive, people were stuck after STS-133 until about 1am trying to get in/out of the Cocoa Beach area. That's 7 hours after the launch. I think you did good by 5 hours.

It'd probably be easier to pay the higher rates for a hotel closer to KSC, but would the tradeoff be in saving gas (or patience) for that matter? Only you could make that call, and I'm sure the traffic will get worse as these are the final two launches, everyone will want to come see at least one.

ShuttleShel · « **Reply #190 on:** 03/12/2011 06:57 pm »

The lottery that everyone is talking about is to be chosen to be able to view from NASA property, the Causeway being the best spot. If you did not enter for the lottery then you will not be able to buy tickets. Your other options for Causeway viewing is buying from one of the tour operators that are mentioned above or taking chances with eBay or something.

As for hotels from a few posts ago it sounds like the Titusville/Cocoa beach area hotels are pretty sold out. Obviously that would be closest so you can check.

I've got hotel reservations in New Smyrna Beach which is a little farther north. I booked a long time ago but someone else said they had luck last week. Not sure how much better traffic wise that is compared to the Orlando area?

NCC · « **Reply #191 on:** 03/12/2011 07:04 pm »

Thanks for the info so far.

Is it possible to get into this lottery for STS-135? Or is it not yet open? Where do I get myself entered? I've been around the NASA site quite a bit, but I didn't see it there.

I apologize for asking questions which have probably already been asked. I'm kinda (wow, my first encounter with censoring, just another word saying I was uninformed) , in the true newbie style.

robertross · « **Reply #192 on:** 03/12/2011 07:19 pm »

Quote from: NCC on 03/12/2011 07:04 pm

Thanks for the info so far.

Is it possible to get into this lottery for STS-135? Or is it not yet open? Where do I get myself entered? I've been around the NASA site quite a bit, but I didn't see it there.

I apologize for asking questions which have probably already been asked. I'm kinda (wow, my first encounter with censoring, just another word saying I was uninformed) , in the true newbie style.

Obviously best for an STS-135 thread

But, for all: they won't go on sale until AFTER STS-134 launches.

msc · « **Reply #193 on:** 03/12/2011 08:41 pm »

No email yet. :-(

If anyone has 4 extras, feel free to let me know!!

spacedog71 · « **Reply #194 on:** 03/12/2011 09:29 pm »

Quote from: Orbiter on 03/12/2011 06:21 pm

Q: I'm planning on taking a group of say 4-5 friends to the launch in April, we're to leave by 3:15 and the launch is at 7:48 pm. From just based on the traffic for STS-133, for anyone who was there.. will it be possible to arrive on time for the launch?

Orbiter

depends.

where are you actually departing from?
and where exactly are you trying to get to?

ShuttleShel · « **Reply #195 on:** 03/13/2011 05:27 am »

Quote from: NCC on 03/12/2011 07:04 pm

Thanks for the info so far.

Is it possible to get into this lottery for STS-135? Or is it not yet open? Where do I get myself entered? I've been around the NASA site quite a bit, but I didn't see it there.

I apologize for asking questions which have probably already been asked. I'm kinda (wow, my first encounter with censoring, just another word saying I was uninformed) , in the true newbie style.

Go to the KSC site and make sure you are signed up for their launch information emails. When they open the lottery they will send you an email telling you it is open for registration and when it will be closed. For this launch it was open about a week. You then go and register for the lottery and then wait for your email like we are (well most of us) now hoping that we got into the lottery to be able to purchase tickets.

msc · « **Reply #196 on:** 03/13/2011 03:13 pm »

With solaria's post that he/she got the lottery e-mail (congrats!!) and that the on-sale time is Monday @ 9am, I assume that those of us that haven't been notified yet have been closed out.

I've seen lots of information on the Dolphin/Gator tours, except for one thing: how much to they cost? Can anyone tell me how much one of their packages with LTT included typically costs?

Orbiter · « **Reply #197 on:** 03/13/2011 03:58 pm »

Quote from: spacedog71 on 03/12/2011 09:29 pm

Quote from: Orbiter on 03/12/2011 06:21 pm
Q: I'm planning on taking a group of say 4-5 friends to the launch in April, we're to leave by 3:15 and the launch is at 7:48 pm. From just based on the traffic for STS-133, for anyone who was there.. will it be possible to arrive on time for the launch?

Orbiter

depends.

where are you actually departing from?
and where exactly are you trying to get to?

E. Hillsborough County to Astronaut Hall of Fame. For previous launches, STS-128 for example, we've always left about 4 hours before launch and usually manage to get there by the time the astronauts are going to the vehicle. But given the historical nature of STS-134, I imagine it might be much more difficult. A lot of people might be there for spring break too.

Orbiter

cycleroadie · « **Reply #198 on:** 03/13/2011 04:26 pm »

Quote from: msc on 03/13/2011 03:13 pm

With solaria's post that he/she got the lottery e-mail (congrats!!) and that the on-sale time is Monday @ 9am, I assume that those of us that haven't been notified yet have been closed out.

I've seen lots of information on the Dolphin/Gator tours, except for one thing: how much to they cost? Can anyone tell me how much one of their packages with LTT included typically costs?

Well after using KSCVC ticks for STS-131, but getting shut out for STS-133, my son and I used them for STS-133, Causeway (What they call VIP viewing) was $120 each, they pick you up in Orlando , Titsuville, maybe a few other spots, check they're website for spots, take you to KSCVC, you take their bus again later toCauseway, and then they fight the traffic back out (welcome for me after a long day). You're getting the same view as KSCVC ticks and no hassle of driving, parking, and all that. I couldn't complain at all about our experience using Gator Tours.

cycleroadie · « **Reply #199 on:** 03/13/2011 04:27 pm »

Quote from: solaria on 03/11/2011 05:55 pm

Got my lottery email. Mon 9am. I only need one ticket...should I buy 6? :-) so excited.

There is really not much point in buying more than you need since anyone who bought them from you can't get there since they do not have a parking Placard.