-
#300
by
LoveMrEd
on 12 Jun, 2011 14:02
-
What will traffic be like after the launch to get to Daytona Beach Airport or Melbourne Airport?
Do you think I would make a 2:12pm flight from Daytona or a 1:30pm flight from Melbourne?
This page (http://wiki.launchwiki.com/index.php?title=Trip_Planning) says the "The I-95 corridor is generally open, however, so post-launch lodging in Daytona Beach or Melbourne may be advisable." but I'm unsure what that means exactly in terms of driving duration.
Thanks for the help 
First question is whether you're connecting to an international flight in NYC. Recommended check-in at your first point
used to be 3 hours in advance, not sure if that is currently info. But if you're not connecting to an international flight, and we're assuming a recommended domestic US check-in of 90 minutes, I think it depends upon how far north or south you're willing to watch from.
-
#301
by
john_raiders
on 12 Jun, 2011 14:06
-
Yo
Do you think I would make a 2:12pm flight from Daytona or a 1:30pm flight from Melbourne?
All depends on how many come out to watch, but its a holiday week, friday, last launch........I think youve got absolutely no chance of catching a flight.
For STS-132 it took about 3 hours from launch to get to Coccoa Beach, that was on FDT.
John
-
#302
by
K8B
on 12 Jun, 2011 14:21
-
What will traffic be like after the launch to get to Daytona Beach Airport or Melbourne Airport?
Do you think I would make a 2:12pm flight from Daytona or a 1:30pm flight from Melbourne?
It would be helpful to know how you are planning to watch? Are you going to be at the Kennedy Space Center, Causeway, watching from a beach? After STS-133 it took us almost 2 hours just to get from KSCVC to Port Canaveral Canaveral, it would have taken 3-4 hours to get to Melbourne.
If you are on the causeway you still have about 20 mins to get back to the visitor complex but still have to get to your car & fight you way to an exit, that's another half hour or more. So already blown 50 mins & you are just barely out the exit!
If you are watchig from a beach - I have no clue... I would not cut it that close. Besides - all it takes is an accident & you are hosed. Id give yourself at least 5 hours between launch & flight.
-
#303
by
DrGuano
on 12 Jun, 2011 17:33
-
@richardza777 - I rode Grayline to STS-134. After the 8:56 am launch, we waited about 20-30 minutes before leaving the Causeway and drove straight to the drop off point at the Holiday Inn Orlando Airport. I repacked, dropped a rental car and was seated on the plane by noon. That said, attendance was light and everything work perfectly. It can work out but I would plan on three hours getting from KSC to MCO. It might be less to Melbourne. I've done that drive at 4:30 am after a scrub and it took about an hour. Good luck!
-
#304
by
MadameConcorde
on 12 Jun, 2011 21:42
-
This time will be different from every other time as it will be the last Space Shuttle launch in history. I think there could be many many more viewers than expected, not those at KSC or Causeway or AHOF or Banana Creek who will be in limited numbers, but all those outside the complex who I think will be in huge numbers, unless again there is one or multiple launch scrubs although my intuition tends me to think there will not be. Seems that Atlantis (the ship herself) might want to fly off on time.
:-)
-
#305
by
LoveMrEd
on 12 Jun, 2011 22:16
-
And another factor to consider is that it is summer break, US vacation time. Many people who could not make the last 2 launches because they didn't want to take their kids out of school may be there---
-
#306
by
MadameConcorde
on 13 Jun, 2011 07:07
-
Will KSC be releasing another (final?) batch of tickets today or tomorrow? I am sure many people have registered in different names with different email addresses to increase their chances. I am no cheater, I never thought about doing this myself. With payments being made online companies generally don't mind what credit/debit cards are used or where they come from for as long as e-payments go through.
-
#307
by
stuart_wildcat
on 13 Jun, 2011 08:04
-
What will traffic be like after the launch to get to Daytona Beach Airport or Melbourne Airport?
Do you think I would make a 2:12pm flight from Daytona or a 1:30pm flight from Melbourne?
This page (http://wiki.launchwiki.com/index.php?title=Trip_Planning) says the "The I-95 corridor is generally open, however, so post-launch lodging in Daytona Beach or Melbourne may be advisable." but I'm unsure what that means exactly in terms of driving duration.
Thanks for the help
I wouldn't suggest those flight times even if it weren't the last shuttle flight. Those times are very tight for a ~11:30AM launch.
Also, I wouldn't suggest using the actual STS-134 launch as a guide. Since it was delayed just long enough to ensure many people with tickets originally couldn't come back the attendance was probably lighter than it would have been. I can't remember how many people on this forum said they had tickets but couldn't take the kids out of school or take another vacation from work to come back.
One thing to remember is that if by some fortunate turn of events Atlantis actually launches on 7/8 without further delay before launch or situations/conditions that day preventing launch that will be a huge crowd attending the launch. This means the biggest potential for traffic delay exists on that day.
As others have said I think it is important to remember that we are in completely uncharted territory here. Any assumptions you can make from any previous launches may not apply.
As someone who has followed launches casually for a while and more closely these last 3-4 I can say that the only certainty is uncertainty. I personally wouldn't make plans that only include 7/8 as you will then be out of luck for even the slightest problem. There is only 10 minutes they can launch in. Sometimes it comes down to seconds. If you can make plans that include being in the area for 3-4 days that would be the minimum for me.
-
#308
by
beef5stew
on 13 Jun, 2011 13:16
-
i had congressional passes for 134. I actually go the letter from Nasa before I got notified by my senator. I'm still holding out and hoping for an invite in the mail. (but I have no idea how I will convince my wife to let me go)
For what it's worth, the email address to RSVP stays the same launch to launch.
-
#309
by
beef5stew
on 13 Jun, 2011 13:22
-
Just got the second chance email. Causeway Sold out, but VC and HOF available.
-
#310
by
danduc
on 13 Jun, 2011 13:55
-
Get a VC. If you can get your hand on a spare Causeway later, you will then have a parking placard that goes with it.
Dan
-
#311
by
DrGuano
on 13 Jun, 2011 14:20
-
@beefstew
When can you login and buy tickets?
-
#312
by
msc
on 13 Jun, 2011 15:15
-
Get a VC. If you can get your hand on a spare Causeway later, you will then have a parking placard that goes with it.
Dan
That's a very good idea. I can't count the number of causeway tix I saw for sale for 134, but didn't include a placard. Buying a VC ticket just to get a parking placard in hand is a good investment if causeway tickets become available later.
-
#313
by
OneFish
on 13 Jun, 2011 15:18
-
Someone who was selected for the second round posted on the KVC facebook page that the tickets go on sale Wed morning.
-
#314
by
Sarah
on 13 Jun, 2011 15:28
-
I got a KSC causeway ticket. My uncle got in on the first round. I just have to stop and pick him and his kid up in Tennessee on my way to Florida. I'm really not looking forward to the 24 hour drive (that's without stops). I may still try and get FDT or Gator tickets and just fly down. That is my preferred method.
-
#315
by
Sarah
on 13 Jun, 2011 15:56
-
Get a VC. If you can get your hand on a spare Causeway later, you will then have a parking placard that goes with it.
Dan
That's a very good idea. I can't count the number of causeway tix I saw for sale for 134, but didn't include a placard. Buying a VC ticket just to get a parking placard in hand is a good investment if causeway tickets become available later.
I thought the placards say either West Causeway or Visitor Complex on them.
-
#316
by
ysuindy
on 13 Jun, 2011 16:19
-
The parking placard was in my car when I enetered the Visitor's Center and entered the line inside the VC to get on the bus. My guess is "West Causeway" might be for those that let you drive to the Causeway versus getting on a bus?
All you should need is the VC parking placard to get by the security and get access to the VC. The only difference between a person with and without causeway tickets when we went were the actual LTT tickets.
And its probably been a few pages since we mentioned - but if you can fly Southwest, their polilcy of no change fees can be very beneficial for a shuttle launch scrub(s).
-
#317
by
beef5stew
on 13 Jun, 2011 16:28
-
Congratulations! A limited number of tickets to view the launch of STS-135 Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center are still available for purchase. As a benefit to registering for the initial launch ticket opportunity, we are extending you the opportunity to purchase up to six (6) launch viewing tickets during a special one-day sale.
The launch is currently scheduled for Friday, July 8, 2011, at 11:26 a.m. ET. Launch time and date subject to change.
PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS EMAIL AS YOUR LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS AND PASSWORD ARE INCLUDED.
Please Note: Receiving this email does not guarantee that you will be able to purchase tickets. There are a limited number of tickets remaining and tickets may sell out quickly. You may receive a sold out message.
PURCHASE AND LOGIN INFORMATION
Launch viewing tickets will be available for purchase Wednesday, June 15 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. ET. THESE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE.
Beginning Wednesday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m. ET, click the BUY TICKETS button below and enter the following one-time use password. Clicking the BUY TICKETS button is the only way for you to enter the purchase
Not interested if I can't get causeway. I think I'm going t let this one pass.
-
#318
by
Endeavour Forever
on 13 Jun, 2011 16:38
-
For anyone receiving today's KSC launch ticket opportunity email, did it state whether Lunch with an Astronaut tickets are still available?
-
#319
by
beef5stew
on 13 Jun, 2011 16:52
-
LAUNCH VIEWING TICKET OPTIONS
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
$43 adult/$33 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Includes an admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with launch viewing from the main Visitor Complex grounds.
Click here for more info »
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
$20 adult/$16 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Includes an admission ticket to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame with launch viewing from the Hall of Fame grounds.
Click here for more info »
NASA Causeway
SOLD OUT
Add On Ticket Option: Dine With an Astronaut
$24.99 adult/$15.99 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
There are three sessions available - 4:45 a.m., 6:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. A very limited number of tickets are available, and programs sell out quickly. Only available for purchase online with a Visitor Complex viewing ticket. THIS OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH THE U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME VIEWING TICKET.
