First post on this site... been intending to do this for a while.
I am desperately looking for some kind of info related to the landing times for STS-134 and STS-135. I have seen numerous launches but never watched a landing. I am planning to come down to the Cape for one or either of them after trying for a long time to work things out.
I have been told (rather brusquely, in fact) that the STS-134 landing cannot POSSIBLY be in daylight hours and WILL NOT be visible and WILL NOT be possible for anyone in the public to view, that no site near KSC will permit viewing. I need some kind of guidance as to why the attitude about this landing, and also want to know what the particulars are for 135. If I miss out on 134... there's only one left. What is the scheduling situation here?
I am determined to get down there for one of these final landings in the shuttle program, whatever it takes. Anyone have any advice as to what the possible schedules are? I know there is a good chance of delays for the 135 launch.
"weather permitting, return for a final landing of Endeavour at the Kennedy Space Center at MET 15days 17hrs 36mins in the early morning hours of June 1."
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/05/sts-134-endeavour-packed-mission-overview/This puts the landing somewhere around 2.30am on June 1st, so it probably won't be very visible. Possibility Atlantis will roll out to the pad that same night, though timelines yet to be confirmed (and they may not be able to have both happen at once). Could be an interesting day to be at KSC, though not if it all happens in the dark when its shut!
I think a daytime landing should be viewable from Titusville though in normal circumstances and think I read/saw photos implying that somewhere. Probably difficult to predict what would happen with STS-135 yet, if the July 12th was confirmed I know thats a 09:45am ish launch window, no idea on landing though.
Obviously theres always a risk that it ends up landing at Edwards if weather is bad at the Cape.
Note however, that the runway itself is not visible from any public area. With a night landing, there'll be no lights on her until after passing the threshold and so no real chance to see the landing. The one landing I saw was in daylight and very quick! You need to know in advance which direction she'll be landing and be very observant.