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#560
by
dmurphy
on 06 May, 2010 15:38
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I really hope she launches on May 14th.
I had the distinct privilege of watching STS-125 from the Causeway last year.... it was, truly, one of the most important 'bucket list' items for me.
I wish I could be there this time, but my work schedule simply doesn't permit it.
Which is a real shame, since this is ...
A) Atlantis' Ultimate flight. (Most likely.)
B) I've seen Atlantis fly before
C) May 14th is my birthday!
D) GO ATLANTIS!
A very sad, yet fitting, birthday gift from NASA, whether I'm there or not.
Thanks all, and Godspeed Atlantis!
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#561
by
jmcgauley
on 06 May, 2010 15:39
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If anyone is still looking for causeway access, I'm cancelling 3 Gator Tours seats today. Thought I heard they were sold out. Got a better offer (Saturn V Center). Haven't gotten through to Gator yet.
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#562
by
brianyee0
on 06 May, 2010 15:42
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So, not going to be able to watch STS 132 from KSC as I didn't get selected for the KSC tweetup BUT I did get selected to go to JSC May 19th for the MCC tweetup during Atlantis's final mission. Just bring tears of joy to my eyes; now to figure out the logistics of getting out there and if its do-able in the middle of my FL vacation LOL
Anyone else here register for these tweetups?
Yes! I'm going for the STS-132 tweetup at JSC; they sent me a confirmation email today. Happiness... 
I'll be going to JSC as well on 5/19. Still trying to work out travel plans. Anyone from Houston able to recommend where to stay/be? JSC seems pretty far from Houston proper.
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#563
by
beef5stew
on 06 May, 2010 16:06
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OK, I'm going to the launch on a congressional Ticket, and the RSVP process told me that I'd receive information a week before launch. I was hoping that meant 8 or 9 days, but it looks like they really mean 7 days (I hope) because I haven't heard anything. From reading the threads, I heard that they usually have you meet a bus on merrit island a few hours before launch and they take you from there (and return you there.) Has anyone had any expereince with how this works? SHould I eat a big breakfast before hand, or will there be opportunities to get some food?
Also, I'm travelling with my 75 year old father. He can move around okay and all, but he wouldn't be ok standing for a few hours. Can I bring a collapsable chair for him? I didn't see anything on the invite about what I could or Could not bring...maybe that's still forthcoming.
TJ
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#564
by
bodge
on 06 May, 2010 16:08
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I'll be going to JSC as well on 5/19. Still trying to work out travel plans. Anyone from Houston able to recommend where to stay/be? JSC seems pretty far from Houston proper.
Most hotels along or near Bay Area Blvd or NASA Rd 1 are good choices if you want to be near JSC. On average Houston is a 30 min drive from JSC, traffic depedent.
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#565
by
robertross
on 06 May, 2010 16:50
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someday i will illustrate the whole bloody saga about STS-119's scrub and STS-127's scrubs and STS-128's scrubs and how it took five flights to florida before i got to see a single freaking shuttle launch. (it's been kind of a rough year). 
Maybe this will make you feel better: I have been at KSC for 21 scrubs and one abort. And I don't work at KSC and I've never lived in Florida. Going there is 2000+ miles round trip for me. There should be a support group for folks like us...
Ouch. Hope we all have better luck than that.
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#566
by
parmstro
on 06 May, 2010 17:28
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Can I bring a collapsable chair for him? I didn't see anything on the invite about what I could or Could not bring...maybe that's still forthcoming.
TJ
They will probably give you a list of prohibited items (beach umbrellas, pets, grills, drugs, alcohol, weapons, fireworks, luggage, large bags). Anything you do bring will have to fit on your lap on the bus. There are no underseat storage or overhead bins. In fact the bus can be quite cramped.
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#567
by
dvaad
on 06 May, 2010 18:45
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What is the best way to get to the Visitors Center from New Smyrna on Launch day?
- I-95 to NASA Pkwy W
- US-1/FL-5 to NASA Pkwy W
- or Kennedy Pkwy N to NASA Pkwy W
http://tinyurl.com/2d6swvw - That Google Map shows the area.
Do either the N/S Kennedy Pkwy or the E/W NASA Pkwy backup significantly on launch day? What about restricted access/roadblocks? Seems to me that Kennedy Pkwy would be more "scenic". We are slated for a 9AM arrival to KSC VC.
Thanks in advance
-daniel
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#568
by
psloss
on 06 May, 2010 18:59
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Seems to me that Kennedy Pkwy would be more "scenic".
Since Kennedy Pkwy, especially from the North, runs through the space center area, I'm not sure it's an option for the public on any day, let alone on a Shuttle launch day.
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#569
by
spacedog71
on 06 May, 2010 19:06
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OK, I'm going to the launch on a congressional Ticket, and the RSVP process told me that I'd receive information a week before launch. I was hoping that meant 8 or 9 days, but it looks like they really mean 7 days (I hope) because I haven't heard anything. From reading the threads, I heard that they usually have you meet a bus on merrit island a few hours before launch and they take you from there (and return you there.) Has anyone had any expereince with how this works? SHould I eat a big breakfast before hand, or will there be opportunities to get some food?
Also, I'm travelling with my 75 year old father. He can move around okay and all, but he wouldn't be ok standing for a few hours. Can I bring a collapsable chair for him? I didn't see anything on the invite about what I could or Could not bring...maybe that's still forthcoming.
TJ
if your experience is anything like mine was with congressional tickets in february, your bus will be going straight from the sears parking lot in the back of a shopping mall to the causeway and back again, with no stops in between.
there are tents set up every quarter-mile or so on the causeway with dozens of folding chairs underneath.
the buses roll in, u-turn, and line up, three across, filling in from west to east.
depending on how far of a walk you'd face to the nearest tent to your right, there should be at least a few as-yet-unclaimed folding chairs for the taking. (people tend to walk off their bus, turn to the right, beeline for the latest tent, and grab chairs with which to walk back to the area in front of their bus.)
you may want to sit right down in the chairs in the shade of the tent itself. (it's certainly what i plan to do next friday; as a redhead, i find florida sunlight downright painful.)
there are lines of portable toilets every few hundred yards, and some manner of trailer or tent at about the same interval grilling burgers and selling snacks and candy out of costco boxes.
at the very least, you'll probably want to bring some bottled water; lately i've been treating the bags of peanuts and cookies my airline gives me on the flight down as causeway rations.
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#570
by
technoarch
on 06 May, 2010 23:56
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Hola!
Long time lurker and first time poster. STS-132 will be my 3rd launch and I cannot wait!!!
Quite a few of my wife's relatives live in and around the Merritt Island area and we just got a call stating that they have a VIP Placard for their car in hand. Can anyone elborate where we will be seeing this launch from? I was thinking it will be either by the countdown clock or the Saturn V Center but wasn't sure.
Even if its at the causeway I really dont care, this will be my closest viewing spot yet!
Thanks!
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#571
by
TISM
on 07 May, 2010 00:11
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Hola!
Long time lurker and first time poster. STS-132 will be my 3rd launch and I cannot wait!!!
Quite a few of my wife's relatives live in and around the Merritt Island area and we just got a call stating that they have a VIP Placard for their car in hand. Can anyone elborate where we will be seeing this launch from? I was thinking it will be either by the countdown clock or the Saturn V Center but wasn't sure.
Even if its at the causeway I really dont care, this will be my closest viewing spot yet!
Thanks!
99% sure it will be at the causeway, the Saturn V center is for VIP's and the countdown clock is news media/twitter. Anyway, you'll have a great view and nice atmosphere, enjoy!
Peter
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#572
by
mixologist07
on 07 May, 2010 00:24
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It could be two things:
One, car passes are indeed issued for the Causeway for employees who are nominated by their NASA work contacts for that purpose. It's really easy, one badged employee has to be in the car, but you can drive right onto the west end of the Causeway and enjoy the launch without having to deal with the VC or busses.
Two, if you're very very lucky, there are VIP passes issued to employees which allow you to drive directly to the barge turn basin site, which is actually closer than the press site by very slight amount and certainly closer than Banana Creek. These are fantastic seats, if you end up here! It's similar to the Causeway in that it's limited bleacher seating with mainly standing-room-only, but launch commentary is broadcast and there's access to the NASA Exchange trailer for buying souvenirs.
Either way, enjoy!
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#573
by
technoarch
on 07 May, 2010 00:49
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Thanks for the quick feedback. As soon as I can get more details on which causeway site I'll report back.
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#574
by
stephenv
on 07 May, 2010 03:38
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So, I'm flying in from SF Bay Area, arriving late Thursday night. I have causeway tickets....and two kids (6 yrs and 3yrs). This is my second launch (first was also Atlantis, STS-76 in 1996--an amazing night launch).
I have a few questions that I'd really appreciate your input on --
1) It seems like we wouldn't be boarding a bus from KSC to the Causeway until around 11am or so; but I have to arrive by 7am due to the time on my placard. So, this means I will get to spend about 4 hours either passed out in the car with the kids in the parking lot (possible--we're on CA time, 3 yrs early), or touring KSC (more likely). Do I have that right? KSC from 7am to 11am? with stuff to do around KSC?
2) Food for the kids at KSC? at Causeway?
Is there food I can pick up for the kids early? (breakfast type) or later? Can't tell from the "limited food stands" exactly what they mean. Hot dogs? Candy bars? Sandwiches?
3) Shade/seats at Causeway?
My only concern is that the kids have a spot to sit in the shade and that their old man is able to sit in a chair in the shade--we all burn easily. We won't really be able to bring in chairs (given travel schedule, etc.). I've read there are tents with chairs some places, but can't tell if that's VIP only and how hard it will be to get to those. If I arrive earlier is there a better chance of getting these? Are they actually there? Any other thoughts along these lines?
4) After the launch, will we have an hour or so to go back to KSC and tour? or no?
Thanks so much in advance for your thoughtful replies.
P.S. (looked for similar questions, didn't quite see something exactly on point -- sorry if a duplicate)
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#575
by
mixologist07
on 07 May, 2010 04:23
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Here's some info on what you asked:
1) The arrive by time isn't enforced steadfast. It's basically there to help throttle the traffic, but all they're looking at is the placard itself. If you think it'll help the day, especially with the kids, fudging your arrive by time a little won't be a big deal. Just don't wait until the last minute, as traffic is going to be extremely heavy. Don't aim for much later than 8.
2) It changes every launch, but there's sometimes hot food and packaged snacks at the causeway, sometimes both. You'll also be able to get coffee and canned soft drinks. There will be the usual options at the Visitor's Center, too, all of which are around the same (slightly inflated) price.
3) There are no viewing areas with reliable shade on the causeway. If you want to be at the best site on the east side of the causeway, then you want to be on the first or second bus. That takes you directly to an area with a countdown clock and bleacher seating. There's only room on that section for one or two busses, plus you have the advantage of being early in line for a LTT replacement ticket voucher if there's a scrub. If shade is a concern, bring an umbrella.
4) You should have no problem with this, and should probably plan on it. You'll sit in horrendous traffic going outbound from KSC. It's taken me as long as 3 hours to get back to Orlando, most of which was clearing the immediate traffic from the coast.
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#576
by
Budweiser
on 07 May, 2010 04:29
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Can anyone verify this?
We were down just before Christmas and took a very senic drive thru Canaveral National Seashore. Someone told me that they close it 3 or 4 days before the launch? I had good views of 39A and 39B from there and would like to get some pics with the shuttle on the pad, is this a good place or is the shuttle mostly obstructed by the pad from the North? Any other recomendations without going onto KSC?
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#577
by
Walter S
on 07 May, 2010 04:55
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Can anyone verify this?
We were down just before Christmas and took a very senic drive thru Canaveral National Seashore. Someone told me that they close it 3 or 4 days before the launch? I had good views of 39A and 39B from there and would like to get some pics with the shuttle on the pad, is this a good place or is the shuttle mostly obstructed by the pad from the North? Any other recomendations without going onto KSC?
Yes, you can view the shuttle on the pad from Playalinda Beach. You can't see the orbiter itself but you can see the ET and SRB's. It is a great view, I am actually heading over myself in a couple days.
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#578
by
Budweiser
on 07 May, 2010 11:54
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Thanks Walter!
We never went over to the beach. We came down from the north on the "lab road" and went west from there. Saw about 20 nice Gators here and there, and about a 12 footer right next to the road. Was cold that week before Christmas, and could have got out and petted them!
About the closing the park before launch, not sure I would want to hide for 4 days in the swamp with the Gators and Skeeters to see the lanch from a couple miles away? Am sure they sweep it pretty good from the air, but I am sure it has been done.
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#579
by
dvaad
on 07 May, 2010 12:27
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