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#1360
by
shuttlefanatic
on 19 Jul, 2011 06:13
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#1361
by
psloss
on 19 Jul, 2011 06:20
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#1362
by
leetdan
on 19 Jul, 2011 14:03
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TS Bret has done a nice job of clearing out most of the moisture in the area. Orbit 200 is looking very likely.
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#1363
by
kenc3dan
on 19 Jul, 2011 20:28
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Hi,
Looks like it's going to be totally dark for a 5:56AM landing.
Someone tell me I'm not flying in for a couple sonic booms.
Well, good a time as any to visit KSC I suppose.
Is there any way to see the shuttle being towed once it's on the ground?
When do they do that and where does it go for 'stuffing and mounting'?
First time going to KSC. Flying in from CT the day before.
Thanks for any info!
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#1364
by
jcopella
on 19 Jul, 2011 20:43
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Pray for a little fog that will burn off at sunrise
Looks like orbit 201 would take it right over 402/Max Brewer Causeway...
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#1365
by
4odyssey
on 19 Jul, 2011 20:51
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Hi kenc3dan,
Is there any way to see the shuttle being towed once it's on the ground?
I havent done this in person, but remember a post with detailed instructions. You have to be at the Apollo / Saturn building and catch up the right bus back to the visitor center. If the timing is right you end up in the road blocks and see Atlantis towed cross the street.
See this thread / post :<
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20920.msg595395#msg595395>
Good luck! Hope you have success!!!
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#1366
by
DrGuano
on 19 Jul, 2011 23:27
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I emailed my wife (who is in Peru, visiting Macchu Pichu) to say that since the shuttle program was ending, I wanted to go to Baikonur to watch a manned Soyuz launch.
Within minutes, she somehow found internet access on the Incan trail to reply, "Don't even think about it!!!!!!"
I happened to meet two French chaps on my flight from MCO to IAD who had gone to Baikonur to see a Soyuz launch. I showered them with questions. They thought it was a great experience if one is ready to pay the price.
You can watch a Soyuz astronaut launch from only 1,5 Km away from the pad. You will be in the same place with the astronauts families and see the astronauts from only a few meters but be prepared to pay 3,000 Euros ex-Moscow for the privilege.
I made the mistake of emailing the Tour link to my wife. The first thing she noticed was the price tag. I think that is what prompted her to hop on a llama and ride to the nearest internet cafe. There are manned Soyuz launches scheduled for September and November...
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#1367
by
20vturbo
on 20 Jul, 2011 00:05
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Does anyone have a suggestion on where the best place to track the shuttle over Houston TX tomorrow morning? Heavens-above has the ISS pass @ 5:44:39 @ 10 degrees (SSE), max 13 degrees. Will the shuttle be near this pass or will it be further away from the station?
thanks!!
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#1368
by
solaria
on 20 Jul, 2011 00:57
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Have been advised that Atlantis may move to the OPF about an hour ahead of the previous 'how to see her move from SLF to OPF' via Saturn centre buses schedule posted above - less to do before moving her because its final mission.
Also still hearing from reliable source that unless there are bad winds, its likely to come down 2nd orbit, runway 33, despite published groundtrack info. Obviously conflicting information around. I'd make a backup plan to head to the badging station just past the KSCVC if you see it scrubbed for "weather" on first orbit.
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#1369
by
cocoa cat
on 20 Jul, 2011 09:33
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Hi
sorry it has taken a while to post this. We got to see the launch - it was a 30 year dream of mine to see one and to see the last was just fab. It was the most amazing thing ever and we consider ourselves very lucky (esp. given the odds against it going up on 8th!!)
I just wanted to say a massive thankyou to the person who recommended Pauls Smokehouse as a viewing location. It was excellent and the amosphere there was great. We had a toddler with us so it was important we stayed with the car as long as possible and that was the best place for us. We had a perfect view of the launch pad.
thanks again.
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#1370
by
Haakon
on 20 Jul, 2011 09:45
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Just saw her fly over, with the ISS hot on her heels
They came over me in Canberra, Australia just after sunset on a cold crisp winter's evening and the persistent cold rain and clouds cleared right on schedule!
Pretty girl. Leisurely (Mach 24 or something I think....?) cruised across the sky, and winked out as she went into the shadow.
Last time I'll ever see a shuttle....
Off to watch my iphone footage of STS133 I caught from the causeway
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#1371
by
Endeavour Forever
on 20 Jul, 2011 13:35
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For anyone going to the landing who's staying until Sunday - KSCVC has a limited number of tickets still available to meet Apollo 15 astronauts on 7/24 and be given a special tour/discussion by them - am so excited to be meeting these guys!
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/apollo-15-anniversary.aspx
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#1372
by
MadameConcorde
on 20 Jul, 2011 18:46
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For anyone going to the landing who's staying until Sunday - KSCVC has a limited number of tickets still available to meet Apollo 15 astronauts on 7/24 and be given a special tour/discussion by them - am so excited to be meeting these guys!
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/apollo-15-anniversary.aspx
Wish I could have stayed long enough to attend this event.
I always wanted to meet Harrison Schmitt, my top favourite Apollo astronaut. Not sure if I will ever have another chance.
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#1373
by
shuttlefanatic
on 20 Jul, 2011 20:11
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Silly thoughts going through my head: For less than $400, it's possible at this moment to work out a 25 hour roundtrip from San Diego to Orlando that could put me on the ground near the SLF at landing time.
While it is really tempting to try to be there in person for the landing (as little of it that might be seen in the dark), I think I'll watch my NTV and NSF from home, where I can soak up much more of these last flight hours live as it happens...
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#1374
by
Prober
on 20 Jul, 2011 20:35
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Silly thoughts going through my head: For less than $400, it's possible at this moment to work out a 25 hour roundtrip from San Diego to Orlando that could put me on the ground near the SLF at landing time.
While it is really tempting to try to be there in person for the landing (as little of it that might be seen in the dark), I think I'll watch my NTV and NSF from home, where I can soak up much more of these last flight hours live as it happens...
How about this for a Silly thought? Guess someone from Edwards can’t do a “Canadian Arrow” on Atlantis?
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#1375
by
kenc3dan
on 20 Jul, 2011 23:11
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Have been advised that Atlantis may move to the OPF about an hour ahead of the previous 'how to see her move from SLF to OPF' via Saturn centre buses schedule posted above - less to do before moving her because its final mission.
Also still hearing from reliable source that unless there are bad winds, its likely to come down 2nd orbit, runway 33, despite published groundtrack info. Obviously conflicting information around. I'd make a backup plan to head to the badging station just past the KSCVC if you see it scrubbed for "weather" on first orbit.
Orbit 200 and 201 ground tracks both show runway 15 now. Going to go check out highway 402 north of the runway now. Wonder where they close it.
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#1376
by
shuttlefanatic
on 20 Jul, 2011 23:46
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I'll also note that in all the MMT and mission briefings, it's been consistently stated that there's no consideration to skip the first KSC landing opportunity for lighting considerations, even if the commander were to request such (which he wouldn't, being the professional that he is).
While lighting is the big question, based on the Orbit 200 ground track, it would appear to me that the bridge at Haulover Canal would be a pretty good vantage point. It's actually just inside the perimeter of the HAC, so the perspective would be similar to these images I got from the STS-128 landing at Edwards (last EDW landing, as it turned out):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18561.msg477131#msg477131As I mentioned in a post on Page 90 of this thread, I haven't actually seen a landing at KSC to be familiar with the specifics on the ground there. It seems very possible to get to a closer vantage point (see YouTube links in the referenced post), but I am not familiar with the details regarding road closures.
Having said that, if I were actually on the ground at KSC for the landing, my strategy would probably be to start with Haulover (which should be open considering it's outside even the launch security perimeter), and head south on SR 3 towards the 402 junction and see where I can get. The risk is that a late runway change to Rwy 33 would mean seeing nothing, and probably come too late to allow repositioning. I *think* I'd prefer being east of the final approach path to take advantage of any available light. On the west side (the Max Brewer Bridge, perhaps), you'll most likely be looking at a silhouette.
One other benefit I can see for the bridge locations (Haulover or Max Brewer) is that it would provide the opportunity to get some elevation over the trees.
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#1377
by
jcopella
on 21 Jul, 2011 00:14
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Not a bad plan, sf. Good call on the lighting direction (east/west of flight path), although I doubt there will be enough to make much of a difference. Gonna be pretty dark no matter how you slice it...
For anyone considering it though, advice from a (somewhat) local: leave plenty of time. Merritt Island is a big place and it's quite some distance off the 95 exit to get over to SR3 and then down to the 402, assuming you can get that far. From Orlando, I'd think a 2am departure would be safe.
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#1378
by
stuart_wildcat
on 21 Jul, 2011 00:25
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I *think* I'd prefer being east of the final approach path to take advantage of any available light. On the west side (the Max Brewer Bridge, perhaps), you'll most likely be looking at a silhouette.
One other benefit I can see for the bridge locations (Haulover or Max Brewer) is that it would provide the opportunity to get some elevation over the trees.
Since all we will probably see is a silhouette no matter what I was thinking being west of the track might be best. Then you could get the small amount of backlight there might be.
Probably a crapshoot either way. Off to dinner and bed before heading over!...
Edit: Actually just looked at the ground tracks again and Haulover Canal bridge might be best as the track is east of there as it goes out over the Atlantic although it will probably be high up when it does. Being on Merritt Island on the west side of 402 might be closer to the north end of the runway and therefore a lower shuttle.
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#1379
by
MarekCyzio
on 21 Jul, 2011 00:47
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As I mentioned in a post on Page 90 of this thread, I haven't actually seen a landing at KSC to be familiar with the specifics on the ground there.
I saw a few space shuttle landings, some of them pretty close and I am still not sure if I should go there this night. Reasons:
a) Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. So legally you should not be there before the sunrise
b) it will be dark, the shuttle has no lights whatsoever and it is very quiet, so there is high possibility you won't even know it flew over you
c) the place that gives highest chance of seeing anything is the Black Point Wildlife Drive - there are a few observation towers there that are nearly directly on the descend path. But again - I am not sure if you will be able to get there as it is officially closed before sunrise
d) police removes people about 1/2 mile each way from the shuttle path - I am sure this applies to 402; not sure if the Black point Wildlife Drive is also affected (I suspect so). Last time I saw a clever trick (that can probably land you in jail for lying to the police officer) - one guy disconnected the power cable in his car and claimed he cannot start it. He was allowed to stay in a perfect viewing spot pretty much directly under shuttle's path. Not sure how it ended.
The refuge map is here:
http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Images/MINWRmap00.pdfThe best places (if allowed) to see the landing are:
- observation tower on L Pond Rd. (off Black Point Wildlife Drive)
- parking lot at Oak and Palm Hammock Trail (police does not let anybody stay here unless your car is broken)
You can also try to see the shuttle at Mud Ramp - it will fly directly over you, but it will be still around 15k feet up (it drops like a stone).
The last option is trying to catch a glimpse of it from the Max A. Brewer bridge and this is what I really plan for...
Off to watch my iphone footage of STS133 I caught from the causeway