-
#580
by
mixologist07
on 07 May, 2010 19:55
-
For those coming for the launch, here's some information about road closures that might be helpful in planning your trip:
Per KSC:
- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore, also called Playalinda Beach, will close for launch on Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close on Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch.
- State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 from the Haulover Canal bridge south to County Road 402 leading to Titusville will be open to badged personnel only beginning on Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m.. These roads will close to all vehicle traffic on Friday, May 14, at 2:10 p.m. until after a successful launch is confirmed.
- State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 NASA Causeway via Space Commerce Way will be closed for launch to unauthorized vehicles beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 14. NASA Causeway between the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will also close starting at that time. The roads will reopen two hours after launch.
-
#581
by
robertross
on 07 May, 2010 20:25
-
For those coming for the launch, here's some information about road closures that might be helpful in planning your trip:
Per KSC:
- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore, also called Playalinda Beach, will close for launch on Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close on Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch.
- State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 from the Haulover Canal bridge south to County Road 402 leading to Titusville will be open to badged personnel only beginning on Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m.. These roads will close to all vehicle traffic on Friday, May 14, at 2:10 p.m. until after a successful launch is confirmed.
- State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 NASA Causeway via Space Commerce Way will be closed for launch to unauthorized vehicles beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 14. NASA Causeway between the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will also close starting at that time. The roads will reopen two hours after launch.
Oh thanks! I was starting to plan going to Playalinda Beach when I first arrive on the 11th, but I now see that would be futile, so very much appreciated!
So would Merritt island be the next best pre-launch viewing area?
-
#582
by
beef5stew
on 07 May, 2010 20:43
-
Got the intinerary for Congressional Tickets today. I heard somewhere that busses stop at the VC to go through a security screening. Is that true?
-------------------------Letter from Nasa Below------------------
CAUSEWAY
LAUNCH ITINERARY FOR
CONGRESSIONAL GUESTS
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (KSC), FLORIDA
STS-132, ATLANTIS LAUNCH
FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010
All Congressional guests will meet in the Merritt Square Mall parking lot on the South West side of the mall behind Sears, where they will board their assigned bus. The street address for Merritt Square Mall:
777 East Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL 32952
All guests over the age of 16 must present a valid Government issued ID (i.e. driver’s license, school ID, or passport).
Please note that guests will not be permitted to drive their personal vehicles to the Kennedy Space Center on the day of launch. Absolutely NO coolers or large bags will be permitted—Guests will be permitted to bring a camera, a small umbrella, and a small umbrella stroller. A foldable chair that can be placed in a bag and carried is recommended, as there is limited seating available. Please note: water, concessions, and bathroom facilities will be available at the Causeway VIP Viewing Site. The dress code is casual.
All guests will be met by representatives of the Headquarters NASA Office of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs. Guests can call the Congressional Guest Hotline at 866-838-7437 for updates about the scheduled launch date/time and instructions in the event of a launch delay.
10 am Guests meet at the Merritt Square Mall; guests board bus transportation.
Parking allowed in parking lot at the South West side behind Sears.
10:30 – 11:15 am En route to NASA Causeway VIP Viewing Site.
11:15 am Arrive NASA Causeway.
2:20 pm Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-132.
2:40 pm Bus departs NASA Causeway for Merritt Square Mall.
Due to traffic conditions, expect a 1 to 1.5 hour trip.
3:40 pm Arrive Merritt Square Mall.
-
#583
by
mixologist07
on 07 May, 2010 20:47
-
Merritt Island and the Port Canaveral area are definitely good for pre-launch viewing. RSS retract is ~5PM on the 13th with the xenon lights coming on that night, so you'll have a great view either way!
-
#584
by
robertross
on 07 May, 2010 20:48
-
Merritt Island and the Port Canaveral area are definitely good for pre-launch viewing. RSS retract is ~5PM on the 13th with the xenon lights coming on that night, so you'll have a great view either way!
awesome, thanks!
-
#585
by
mixologist07
on 07 May, 2010 20:49
-
Got the intinerary for Congressional Tickets today. I heard somewhere that busses stop at the VC to go through a security screening. Is that true?
Edit: I suppose I was wrong -- some of the busses do go through a separate causeway screening. Banana Creek busses do not go through this additional security.
-
#586
by
beef5stew
on 07 May, 2010 20:56
-
Sweet. one less stop.
So, as far as I can tell, the only differences between a LTT ticket and a Congressional ticket are:
-No stops at Visitor Center
-Pick up/Drop off at the mall
-No cost
That's about it, right?
-
#587
by
Budweiser
on 07 May, 2010 21:13
-
- The Cape Canaveral National Seashore, also called Playalinda Beach, will close for launch on Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close on Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m. and will reopen after launch.
Thanks, we get in Sunday and will get over there first thing on monday!
-
#588
by
sanfordshazam
on 07 May, 2010 21:26
-
Got the intinerary for Congressional Tickets today. I heard somewhere that busses stop at the VC to go through a security screening. Is that true?
Yes, the congressional buses go through security at the VC. For STS-131 this was done at tents at the south end of the VC parking lot, away from everything else. Everyone got off of the bus and went through metal detectors while bomb-sniffing dogs went through the bus. Security recommended that we leave as much of our stuff on the bus as posssible so that there was less stuff to deal with at the metal detectors.
Also, at the mall parking lot gathering area STS-130 astronaut Steve Robinson was mingling with the crowd. I meant to ask him to compare sitting in the ISS cupola versus standing in a Sears parking lot at 1:30am, but didn't get the chance.
-
#589
by
spacedog71
on 07 May, 2010 21:32
-
Got the intinerary for Congressional Tickets today. I heard somewhere that busses stop at the VC to go through a security screening. Is that true?
forgot to mention that before. you do actually make one stop between the mall parking lot and the causeway.
and unlike gator, dolphin, etc., your bus isn't screened in a way that lets you into the KSCVC for last minute snacks or trips to the gift shop.
instead, they take you to the far edge of the KSCVC parking lot. everybody gets off the bus and waits under a tent for a few minutes while security screens the bus, and then you get back on and head out to the causeway from there.
-
#590
by
himom
on 07 May, 2010 22:25
-
Merritt Island and the Port Canaveral area are definitely good for pre-launch viewing. RSS retract is ~5PM on the 13th with the xenon lights coming on that night, so you'll have a great view either way!
Could you give more details on how to get to either of these places please? We're interested in seeing the shuttle lit up the night before. Would we still be able to visit Space View park to watch the shuttle sitting on the pad? We missed out on the guided tour that would take visitors to the Causeway to see the shuttle before launch, so we're hoping to see it from outside KSC.
-
#591
by
yorky10
on 08 May, 2010 00:27
-
Is there anyone with LTT's that would not be able to make a second attempt in the event of a scrub who I could maybe buy the unused tickets off or a ticket repurchased after they get back to the VC? I would pay a bit more for it to make it worth your while. I have Dolphin tours tickets for first attempt but would prefer the standard ticket for any further attempts. Need 2 if anyone can help.
Thanks, Dave.
-
#592
by
smith5se
on 08 May, 2010 04:00
-
Wow 40 pages already, should be interesting to see how far this gets as we get closer to launch! 6 Days 14 Hours 20 Minutes to go
Just got confirmation on my tickets today, phew, nothing like waiting until the last minute.
Looking forward to meeting some of you at dinner!
-
#593
by
beef5stew
on 09 May, 2010 17:38
-
I noticed on one of the pictures that there are bleachers on the causeway..are these first come, first served? If not, I guess I need to find some disposable chairs at a walmart.
Also, I'm coming from Orlando to canavral. Is there a good place to eat breakfast on Merrit Island?
-
#594
by
yorky10
on 09 May, 2010 17:42
-
Depends how much you need it. Personally I would probably do without and get through KSC security as early as possible and buy some junk from inside. Much better to be relaxing inside not worrying about time than munching on steak and eggs somewhere and ending up at the back of the line. However thats just me
I noticed on one of the pictures that there are bleachers on the causeway..are these first come, first served? If not, I guess I need to find some disposable chairs at a walmart.
Also, I'm coming from Orlando to canavral. Is there a good place to eat breakfast on Merrit Island?
-
#595
by
yorky10
on 09 May, 2010 17:44
-
Has anyone any experience of seeing the SRB's being towed in at Port Canaveral? Can you see anything? Is it worth seeing?
-
#596
by
mksys
on 09 May, 2010 17:58
-
Much better to be relaxing inside not worrying about time than munching on steak and eggs somewhere and ending up at the back of the line. However thats just me
How early do you need to be in line for the causeway buses to get a good spot?
-
#597
by
yorky10
on 09 May, 2010 18:03
-
Much better to be relaxing inside not worrying about time than munching on steak and eggs somewhere and ending up at the back of the line. However thats just me
How early do you need to be in line for the causeway buses to get a good spot?
If you look on Google Earth, the west side of the causeway is approx a mile closer to the pad than the east end. The buses park at the west in a line therefore the later you are the further away you are. However from memory the best line of sight is half way so its a trade off depending on how you want to play it. Send me your email address and I will send you a diagram if you want a better idea.
Regards.
-
#598
by
nono_in_space
on 09 May, 2010 18:34
-
Much better to be relaxing inside not worrying about time than munching on steak and eggs somewhere and ending up at the back of the line. However thats just me
How early do you need to be in line for the causeway buses to get a good spot?
If you look on Google Earth, the west side of the causeway is approx a mile closer to the pad than the east end. The buses park at the west in a line therefore the later you are the further away you are. However from memory the best line of sight is half way so its a trade off depending on how you want to play it. Send me your email address and I will send you a diagram if you want a better idea.
Regards.
It will be my first time at the causeway. Are there restrictions in where I can go? Are there fences or something else?
Thanks
Marco
-
#599
by
yorky10
on 09 May, 2010 18:38
-
Much better to be relaxing inside not worrying about time than munching on steak and eggs somewhere and ending up at the back of the line. However thats just me
How early do you need to be in line for the causeway buses to get a good spot?
If you look on Google Earth, the west side of the causeway is approx a mile closer to the pad than the east end. The buses park at the west in a line therefore the later you are the further away you are. However from memory the best line of sight is half way so its a trade off depending on how you want to play it. Send me your email address and I will send you a diagram if you want a better idea.
Regards.
It will be my first time at the causeway. Are there restrictions in where I can go? Are there fences or something else?
Thanks
Marco
I think you can track up the causeway from where your bus parks however everytime I have been out there I have stayed relatively close to the bus as there are 100's of identical buses and you have to board the same one back that you came on. I certainly saw other people walking around and away from they're buses but I cant say 100% that there wasnt a limit or that there were zones you had to stay in.
Just got confirmation on my tickets today, phew, nothing like waiting until the last minute.