-
#420 by STS134 on 27 Apr, 2010 03:09
-
Oh yeah.......
"The Saturn V was the largest operational launch vehicle ever produced. Standing over 363 feet high with its Apollo Spacecraft payload, it produced over 7.5 million pounds of thrust at lift-off. These pages contain a mixture of photos of the three examples on display at the Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center and the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. Of these three, only the JSC vehicle is made up entirely of former flight-ready (although mismatched) components."
http://www.apollosaturn.com/saturnv.htm
Yes-Space Travel is exciting! Congraulations to all who are going. -
#421 by STS134 on 27 Apr, 2010 03:13
-
#422 by Col on 27 Apr, 2010 03:18
-
Can't wait just hope everything stays on time.I booked via central florida tours VIP Causeway tickets which the tickets are for gator tours.The last launch viewed was STS-91 from the astronaut hall of fame. It was a moment i will never forget as Chris said don't miss one or you will regret it.
Getting a hire car just hope i don't get lost the day before the launch.
Colin
Melbourne Australia.. -
#423 by Jorge on 27 Apr, 2010 03:54
-
I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will regret it and punish yourself for the rest of your life if you do NOT see a Shuttle launch in person.
Chris-I LOVE your answer....that is the way I feel about it. I am in Austin Texas and I have never seen a Launch. Yesterday my daughter and I drove to Johnson Space Center Houston and I walked in and sat down and cried.... but just for minute! As part of the visit experience we got to see the Mission Control Room. They haven't hung STS131 Patch on the wall yet. Apparently there is a tradition where the Shuttle Crew gathers and nominates the person who went over and above the call of duty, and it is that Astronaut who is elected to hang the patch in the Mission Control room. But there was still a sign up in the Control Room that said Good Luck STS131. It was so awesome.
It is actually the lead Flight Director who chooses who will hang the plaque; usually the one chosen is a lead flight controller for that flight. -
#424 by craigcocca on 27 Apr, 2010 05:54
-
I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
I have lurked in the shadows on this site far, far too long. Time for a good story that I hope will help you make up your mind to make the trip!
I am 31 years old -- essentially a child of the Space Shuttle age. Even though I was only a small child at the time, I can vividly remember my mom sitting me on her lap at something like 4 o'clock in the morning to watch STS-1 lift off for the first time on our 25" color console-style TV back in 1981. As I grew older, I eagerly awaited the rattling of our windows every time a space shuttle would announce its arrival home above our apartment just outside of Los Angeles, CA. And then there was that cold January morning I will never forget as my second grade teacher clasped her hand across her mouth as a volunteer parent whispered in her ear that Challenger and her crew was gone.
Fast forward nearly three years to September 29th, 1988, the day I ran to every classroom at the beginning of school to tell our teachers to turn on their TVs so we could watch Discovery return America to space. As the years went on, I became more and more hooked on space, and I wanted nothing more than to grow up and become an astronaut. I followed every mission from start to finish, learned the jargon, and read everything that I could about the shuttle. To this day, I probably still hold the record for the longest time that anyone has had "The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual" checked out for the Norwalk Public Library (I think I had it for over a year).
But time and life intervened, and I never went to see a shuttle land at Edwards. I never made the trip to KSC to see a launch. I didn't become an astronaut. The shuttle program experienced many more successes and one more heartbreak. Still, the passion for space lived inside of me, only trapped by circumstances that stopped me from living out my dream of experiencing the shuttle up close (or at least closer than watching it lazily coast above my backyard while in orbit).
Then I grew up.
Twenty-seven long years passed from STS-1 until one Thanksgiving weekend a couple of years back when I said "enough is enough", and I jumped in the car to race up to Edwards for a date with Endeavour as she headed home. Seeing the Orbiter plunge toward the runway and then gently touchdown was all it took to get me hooked. What an amazing machine!
Since then, I have made the effort to see the shuttle every chance I can...call it making up for lost time. In September 2009, I headed out to Edwards again and this time was able to position myself right beneath the HAC to watch Discovery as she turned to line up with the runway right before sunset...a beautiful sight! Then in November of last year, I was lucky enough to set up a business trip to Orlando the same week that Atlantis was set to launch. Although I was stuck working on launch day, I was amazed at how incredible it was to watch Atlantis head uphill, even from 40 miles away.
Finally, three weeks ago, I achieved my lifelong dream as I found myself among thousands of onlookers from all over the world as we stood along the shores of the Indian River to watch as Discovery made her second-to-last trip to space. "Far too long" I thought as the count wound down from T-31 seconds. At T-6.6 seconds when I saw the steam begin to billow out from under the MLP as the SSMEs came to life, I thought for sure that either I was dreaming or there was about to be an engine abort and she wouldn't lift off. I guess I was in denial that I was finally there after all that time! But the count wound down to zero, and suddenly I went from standing in the murky twilight of predawn to being bathed in the most beautiful light I think I've ever seen.
The experience was nothing like I imagined...it was better! On television, a night launch tends to look like a ball of light rising slowly off the pad. In real life, you see this unimaginably bright flickering flame literally leap off of the pad and dart toward the stars. And when the sound of liftoff finally reaches you more than half a minute after launch, you're not quite prepared for the bone rumbling vibration that passes through your whole body for about 10 seconds.
In the case of STS-131, I got an extra bonus as the exhaust plume from the SRBs and later the water vapor exhaust from the SSMEs was lit by the predawn sun at altitude, creating a beautiful visual display. I guess although I waited almost 29 years to see a shuttle launch, I picked a good one -- all of the long time shuttle veterans in Titusville told me that STS-131 was by far the most visually stunning launch in the Program's history.
I probably won't get a chance to head back to Florida for 132, 133, or 134 (or 135, Congress-wiling). And I realize that after this year, the closest I'll probably get to the American space program for a LONG time is when the ISS makes a zenith pass above my backyard. But I can tell you with certainty that my two year long adventure chasing Space Shuttles in the high desert of California and in the gator-infested swamps of Florida was well worth it.
If you have a chance over the next few months to make the trip to the Space Coast for a launch, go. Don't hesitate. Don't worry about what it costs. Don't make excuses. If you have children, bring them -- it might be the last time they see a piloted American spacecraft launch for a very, very long time. It will be an experience that you won't forget.
--Craig
-
#425 by kdollard on 27 Apr, 2010 07:32
-
I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
I have lurked in the shadows on this site far, far too long. Time for a good story that I hope will help you make up your mind to make the trip!
I am 31 years old -- essentially a child of the Space Shuttle age. Even though I was only a small child at the time, I can vividly remember my mom sitting me on her lap at something like 4 o'clock in the morning to watch STS-1 lift off for the first time on our 25" color console-style TV back in 1981. As I grew older, I eagerly awaited the rattling of our windows every time a space shuttle would announce its arrival home above our apartment just outside of Los Angeles, CA. And then there was that cold January morning I will never forget as my second grade teacher clasped her hand across her mouth as a volunteer parent whispered in her ear that Challenger and her crew was gone.
Fast forward nearly three years to September 29th, 1988, the day I ran to every classroom at the beginning of school to tell our teachers to turn on their TVs so we could watch Discovery return America to space. As the years went on, I became more and more hooked on space, and I wanted nothing more than to grow up and become an astronaut. I followed every mission from start to finish, learned the jargon, and read everything that I could about the shuttle. To this day, I probably still hold the record for the longest time that anyone has had "The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual" checked out for the Norwalk Public Library (I think I had it for over a year).
But time and life intervened, and I never went to see a shuttle land at Edwards. I never made the trip to KSC to see a launch. I didn't become an astronaut. The shuttle program experienced many more successes and one more heartbreak. Still, the passion for space lived inside of me, only trapped by circumstances that stopped me from living out my dream of experiencing the shuttle up close (or at least closer than watching it lazily coast above my backyard while in orbit).
Then I grew up.
Twenty-seven long years passed from STS-1 until one Thanksgiving weekend a couple of years back when I said "enough is enough", and I jumped in the car to race up to Edwards for a date with Endeavour as she headed home. Seeing the Orbiter plunge toward the runway and then gently touchdown was all it took to get me hooked. What an amazing machine!
Since then, I have made the effort to see the shuttle every chance I can...call it making up for lost time. In September 2009, I headed out to Edwards again and this time was able to position myself right beneath the HAC to watch Discovery as she turned to line up with the runway right before sunset...a beautiful sight! Then in November of last year, I was lucky enough to set up a business trip to Orlando the same week that Atlantis was set to launch. Although I was stuck working on launch day, I was amazed at how incredible it was to watch Atlantis head uphill, even from 40 miles away.
Finally, three weeks ago, I achieved my lifelong dream as I found myself among thousands of onlookers from all over the world as we stood along the shores of the Indian River to watch as Discovery made her second-to-last trip to space. "Far too long" I thought as the count wound down from T-31 seconds. At T-6.6 seconds when I saw the steam begin to billow out from under the MLP as the SSMEs came to life, I thought for sure that either I was dreaming or there was about to be an engine abort and she wouldn't lift off. I guess I was in denial that I was finally there after all that time! But the count wound down to zero, and suddenly I went from standing in the murky twilight of predawn to being bathed in the most beautiful light I think I've ever seen.
The experience was nothing like I imagined...it was better! On television, a night launch tends to look like a ball of light rising slowly off the pad. In real life, you see this unimaginably bright flickering flame literally leap off of the pad and dart toward the stars. And when the sound of liftoff finally reaches you more than half a minute after launch, you're not quite prepared for the bone rumbling vibration that passes through your whole body for about 10 seconds.
In the case of STS-131, I got an extra bonus as the exhaust plume from the SRBs and later the water vapor exhaust from the SSMEs was lit by the predawn sun at altitude, creating a beautiful visual display. I guess although I waited almost 29 years to see a shuttle launch, I picked a good one -- all of the long time shuttle veterans in Titusville told me that STS-131 was by far the most visually stunning launch in the Program's history.
I probably won't get a chance to head back to Florida for 132, 133, or 134 (or 135, Congress-wiling). And I realize that after this year, the closest I'll probably get to the American space program for a LONG time is when the ISS makes a zenith pass above my backyard. But I can tell you with certainty that my two year long adventure chasing Space Shuttles in the high desert of California and in the gator-infested swamps of Florida was well worth it.
If you have a chance over the next few months to make the trip to the Space Coast for a launch, go. Don't hesitate. Don't worry about what it costs. Don't make excuses. If you have children, bring them -- it might be the last time they see a piloted American spacecraft launch for a very, very long time. It will be an experience that you won't forget.
--Craig
Thanks for the great story, and thanks to everyone else who responded to me. I think I'll go for it. Perhaps as a sign I got my tax return back today, which should cover the cost of the trip.
-
#426 by oscar_the_grouch on 27 Apr, 2010 11:10
-
How would you be able to see Atlantis after dark ?
KSC closes at 6pm.
-
#427 by cian on 27 Apr, 2010 11:26
-
How would you be able to see Atlantis after dark ?
KSC closes at 6pm.
With lights!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phiden/3648239985/ -
#428 by spacedog71 on 27 Apr, 2010 11:37
-
How would you be able to see Atlantis after dark ?
KSC closes at 6pm.
go to space view park in titusville. nobody's there the night before; you can walk right out onto the pier. do NOT forget the bug repellent. -
#429 by dougmichel on 27 Apr, 2010 14:00
-
Tried yesterday morning to get tickets through NASA for the causeway, got in but only had visitor center left. Decided against getting those and found some VIP tickets (causeway) through floridadolphintours.com. The tickets were twice what NASA was charging but they do bus pickups at area hotels so I dont have to drive there myself. This will be my first shuttle experience and I am looking forward to it.
My question is how long is the launch window (days, I know each is a 10 minute window). I thought I read it was something like 6 days before they would have to take her back to the VAB. I still have some time to extend my trip past then if it is longer than that. -
#430 by jwa95ta on 27 Apr, 2010 14:39
-
Has anyone ever watched the launch from the astronaut hall of fame? I know you can get the same view for free, but I have to consider a pregnant wife that might need use of restrooms more often ,and a 3 year old that might need to be entertained?
I am not sure what all they have to do at the hall of fame as I have never been.
THe place we watched from last year in titusville was great, but it was an empty parking lot, with not bathrooms in site.
I am not sure how much the HOF tickets are.
Thanks for any help
Jason -
#431 by Chris Bergin on 27 Apr, 2010 14:43
-
Seems to be a huge amount of interest in this launch. Don't think we've ever had a 29 page viewing thread at this stage of the flow.
-
#432 by pechisbeque on 27 Apr, 2010 14:48
-
Seems to be a huge amount of interest in this launch. Don't think we've ever had a 29 page viewing thread at this stage of the flow.
Most of the posts are related to the incredible rush to buy the KSC/Delaware North Causeway viewing tickets.
I'm glad I've decided to fly in to watch this launch and not the next ones because I don't even want to imagine what chaos will be around Titusville for those launches. -
#433 by cian on 27 Apr, 2010 14:53
-
Seems to be a huge amount of interest in this launch. Don't think we've ever had a 29 page viewing thread at this stage of the flow.
Personally I've always wanted to see a launch, and it was something i was going to do while I was in the States. Now, with only a few left I've had to make the trip just to see it and want to make sure everything is right. Im sure alot of international travelers are the same. -
#434 by DirtyDeeds on 27 Apr, 2010 15:18
-
Has anyone ever watched the launch from the astronaut hall of fame? I know you can get the same view for free, but I have to consider a pregnant wife that might need use of restrooms more often ,and a 3 year old that might need to be entertained?
I am not sure what all they have to do at the hall of fame as I have never been.
THe place we watched from last year in titusville was great, but it was an empty parking lot, with not bathrooms in site.
I watched STS-125 Atlantis last May from a spot along US-1 that I would estimate was about a mile and a half south of Space View Park. It was just an empty lot along the river where a lot of people pulled off, but across the road was a gas station and a (Mexican ?) restaurant that would obviously have bathrooms. Another quarter mile or so further north, there was a McDonald's on the river side of the road with a good view. I can't recall whether or not it had a McDonald's playground, but if it did, that may be an ideal spot bathroom/child entertainment/view of the pad-wise.
I went to the Hall of Fame about a year and a half ago, the day after seeing STS-126 Endeavour. It was nice, but it wasn't big or anything. If memory serves me right, the biggest thing there they have is the gift shop (of course!). They have a little movie theater that plays the same 10-minute film about how awesome astronauts are over and over, then you progress to the main museum room, which contains a couple space suits, a Gemini capsule, an Apollo command module (bend down and check the charred bottom from reentry, pretty neat!), a case of nick-nacks such as the astronaut Snoopy doll, a couple mission control consoles rigged up with phones you put to your ear so you can listen to interviews or mission audio, and a few other things. The next room is the actual "hall of fame" in that it is the room without all the flashy display stuff, but which is decorated simply and elegantly with the names, mission patches, and (maybe) pictures of the inducted astronauts. Off in the corner in the back of that room, I think there are also little memorials to the fallen astronauts. The last room I guess is the "kid zone," and it has a centrifuge you can ride 2 at a time (I imagine the wait for this on a launch day will be VERY long- also, I wouldn't ride or allow a child to ride it on launch day. It peaks at 4 G's, and after I got off it, I was feeling moderately ill for the rest of the day, which would be horrible if you're stuck in place for four or five hours), this thing where you get inside and there's a green screen and you jump around essentially being "inside" this video game they are displaying on television screens, and a couple of other kiddie exhibits. This room leads back to the gift shop and the entrance. Somewhere in there, there is a bathroom or two that I think are pretty regular in size (maybe 4 or 5 stalls or so). I imagine they'll get lots of use on launch day, and the kid zone at the Hall of Fame will be mayhem beyond the worst day at Chuck E. Cheese. You also won't have a view of the pad, or the launch at all for the first 10 seconds or so. I think they will have a jumbo-tron and mission control/PAO audio, though.
When I saw STS-126, I saw it at Space View Park, and I had my little brothers with me, who were ages 8, 6, and 1.5 at the time. We were sitting there for about 4 hours, immediately after spending about 11 hours in the car driving down from North Carolina. Space View Park has a restroom I believe. No idea how big it is or how crazy it will be on launch day. I think on one side (the side with the pier, opposite the large condominium building) they have a jumbo-tron and mission audio going as well. My brothers are usually pretty punchy and rowdy, but even after all day in the car and waiting 4 hours, the thrill and suspense of what they were about to see, and just the interesting opportunity to look around the crowd, perhaps meeting another kid and forming a 4-hour friendship, was more than enough to keep their behavior stellar, much to my surprise. They loved it and really acted like angels that day. And of course, as I'm sure you know, you will have a view of the pad and VAB from Space View Park. Just arrive early, with chairs, water, and snacks. There's a Burger King across the street, adjacent to the Apollo (I think) portion of Space View Park. I was watching from atop a giant flower pot in front of the Gemini monument, and I had a spectacular view. Most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. If you go to Space View Park, I would suggest parking on the grass that's part of what I presume is the condominium property. Don't worry, everyone else will do it, too, and you won't get in trouble. You'll see a grassy area along the road, a fence behind which is a retention pond, and after that are some 10 or 12-story condos. Park there and walk around the condos to get to Space View Park.
That's the best I can give you, and so do the best with that. I hope it helped somewhat! Given your situation, I personally would probably still choose Titusville (either the McDonalds area or Space View Park) over the Hall of Fame. The restrooms at the Hall of Fame are probably more likely to be relatively clean and with slightly less of a wait, although ALL bathrooms will have very high traffic that day. Perhaps the Hall of Fame will have port-a-potties set up outside, I don't know. But the lack of a view of the pad plus the fact you have to pay to view there would be a real deal-killer for me. I would think that the amenities elsewhere would be sufficient for your wife and kids, but take into account that this info is coming from a 22-year-old male that is not married and has no kids (although, like I said, I do have very young brothers and am quite well acquainted with the behaviors of children). I hope I could help you out a bit. Happy viewing! -
#435 by Andrewwski on 27 Apr, 2010 15:39
-
Has anyone ever watched the launch from the astronaut hall of fame? I know you can get the same view for free, but I have to consider a pregnant wife that might need use of restrooms more often ,and a 3 year old that might need to be entertained?
I am not sure what all they have to do at the hall of fame as I have never been.
THe place we watched from last year in titusville was great, but it was an empty parking lot, with not bathrooms in site.
I am not sure how much the HOF tickets are.
Thanks for any help
Jason
See if you can find a restaurant on the river. When I watched STS-118, we went to a place called Paul's Smokehouse or Paul's Steakhouse on US1. They charged $10 per car to park there but it was worth it. Were able to use the restaurant's bathrooms and go eat in there. While the two guys in our group sat out in the 95 degree heat looking at the pad through binoculars and waiting for the launch, the girls sat inside in the air conditioning and had some drinks. Kept everyone happy. -
#436 by Yegor on 27 Apr, 2010 15:52
-
My question is how long is the launch window (days, I know each is a 10 minute window). I thought I read it was something like 6 days before they would have to take her back to the VAB. I still have some time to extend my trip past then if it is longer than that.
Usually it is something like 10 days - each days the launch time moves 25 minutes early:
May 14: 2:19 pm
May 15: 1:54 pm
May 16: 1:29 pm
and so forth
-
#437 by dougmichel on 27 Apr, 2010 15:59
-
My question is how long is the launch window (days, I know each is a 10 minute window). I thought I read it was something like 6 days before they would have to take her back to the VAB. I still have some time to extend my trip past then if it is longer than that.
Usually it is something like 10 days - each days the launch time moves 25 minutes early:
May 14: 2:19 pm
May 15: 1:54 pm
May 16: 1:29 pm
and so forth
Ok thanks for the info, I guess if it does not launch within the first 3 days or so we might look into extending our stay. I just hope it launches on the 14th so we can enjoy the area with the rest of our days down there. -
#438 by nono_in_space on 27 Apr, 2010 16:10
-
STS-134 has been moved to November.
It was the LON for STS-132.
I read somewhere the last days, that a delay of STS-134
would delay STS-132.
Any suggestions? -
#439 by mhaaksma on 27 Apr, 2010 16:13
-
STS-134 has been moved to November.
It was the LON for STS-132.
I read somewhere the last days, that a delay of STS-134
would delay STS-132.
Any suggestions?
this was posted in their facebook page yesterday:
"Space Shuttle Managers have decided that STS-132 can continue to track for May 14, with STS-133 following in September, while STS-134 moves to mid-November."
