SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) VIEWING THREAD

[Orbiter]

Decided to kick a thread off for viewing SpaceX's launch as we stand 'hopefully' a little over a month from launch.

If I had to wager though when it comes to viewing, from personal experience with the Atlas V MSL launch, I found the causeway heading into Jetty Park to be a good place to watch.

Orbiter

[manboy]

For the lazy

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=28.505505,-80.624542&spn=0.345147,0.676346&sll=28.478952,-80.532532&sspn=0.345234,0.676346&t=h&z=11

[manboy]

I noticed the google car managed to get within about four miles of SLC-40 which got me wondering where are the gates and restricted areas of Cape Canaveral/Merritt Island?

[robertross]

I noticed the google car managed to get within about four miles of SLC-40 which got me wondering where are the gates and restricted areas of Cape Canaveral/Merritt Island?

Just past the Visitor's Center is a BIG gate with nice looking gentlemen with guns. Badged persons & Tour Buses are basically the only ones allowed past.

CCAFS is limited at the Port Canaveral end (with similar nice gentlemen), or above said VC gate

edit: and the gate near the entrance to Playlinda beach (with similar nice gentlemen) 

[DDG40]

One of the KSC nice guys. If you were going to the VAB on day shift you would meet him.

[Jim]

Security checkpoints

[Rocket Science]

I noticed the google car managed to get within about four miles of SLC-40 which got me wondering where are the gates and restricted areas of Cape Canaveral/Merritt Island?

Just past the Visitor's Center is a BIG gate with nice looking gentlemen with guns. Badged persons & Tour Buses are basically the only ones allowed past.

CCAFS is limited at the Port Canaveral end (with similar nice gentlemen), or above said VC gate

edit: and the gate near the entrance to Playlinda beach (with similar nice gentlemen) 

Way back in 1977 I drove up to that BIG gate in my rental Chevette and was waved past with the other cars coming in. There I was driving around the VAB and parked there to check out the Saturn V they had laying there outside. After a while I drove back up to the gate and asked for directions to the Visitor Center. The guard there asked me how I got in the secure area and I told him “you waved me by”… He then sheepishly told my make a right and the Center will be on the left side.

My first visit to KSC…  True story! 

[Airlock]

I noticed the google car managed to get within about four miles of SLC-40 which got me wondering where are the gates and restricted areas of Cape Canaveral/Merritt Island?

I personally saw the google maps car driving down SR-3 within the KSC perimeter toward the VAB, so they must have gotten permission to do some google street view pics behind the gate. As far as where the restricted areas start, the south gate is just north of where space commerce road starts to the left of SR-3, the west gate is just east of the visitor center.

[MP99]

One of the KSC nice guys. If you were going to the VAB on day shift you would meet him.

If you're going on the night shift, do you meet Jim (the "Night Gator")? 

(Only joshing, Jim.)

cheers, Martin

[Orbiter]

We're now L-29 days!

Orbiter

[manboy]

Thanks for the info Jim and robertross.

Are you planning going to the launch Orbiter?

[manboy]

Tips for viewing the upcoming launch

http://www.citizensinspace.org/2012/04/spacex-launch-travel-advice/

[beancounter]

Green with envy re: anyone who can view any launch.  I'm just a tad too far away worst luck.

[oiorionsbelt]

Green with envy re: anyone who can view any launch.  I'm just a tad too far away worst luck.

For $3000 and in 24 hours you can be pretty much anywhere on Earth

[Orbiter]

Thanks for the info Jim and robertross.

Are you planning going to the launch Orbiter?

I wish.. it's a Monday noon launch so the prospects are naturally unfavorable, which in my own way I'm rooting for a delay to May 6th.

Orbiter

[robertross]

Thanks for the info Jim and robertross.

Are you planning going to the launch Orbiter?

A little too far for me to travel unfortunately (for what could be a launch scrub on a maiden flight)

If they plan one near an EELV or SLS launch, yes I'll be there 

[ELinder]

For the first SpaceX launch I took the regular tour bus to the Saturn V building and watched from the bleachers behind the building. Great view.

[beancounter]

Green with envy re: anyone who can view any launch.  I'm just a tad too far away worst luck.

For $3000 and in 24 hours you can be pretty much anywhere on Earth

Yes that's reasonably accurate however other committments and some health issues prevent that being the case for me.

[RDoc]

I'd love to be there but have to be in New Orleans to stay up far too late, drink too much and listen to jazz till my ears ring.

[ELinder]

Just got an email from KSC that viewing opportunities for Dragon C2 are the KSC Visitor Center and Saturn V Building, (included in admission). I'm assuming they mean no extra charges just to see the launch.

[manboy]

Useful link, apparently the NASA Causeway will be open after all. I'm pretty envious of those that will get to see the launch from there.


http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/guestops/spacex_c2_guests.html

[jacqmans]

Converting this into the viewing thread so give the Pre launch update thread specific to vehicle preps etc.

MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-070
 
COVERAGE SET FOR NASA/SPACEX LAUNCH AND MISSION TO SPACE STATION
 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. 
FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Saturday, April 28 (L-2 days): A photo opportunity of the Falcon 9
rocket and Dragon capsule on the launch pad will be available for the
news media.

SpaceX security regulations require that
media representatives attending this event be U.S. citizens.
 

 
International  Space Station.... Not for SpaceX... I would say stop the coverage for this mission now.....

[peter-b]

On at least two occasions that I'm aware of, Elon has explained that they are very worried about industrial espionage, particularly from China.

[robertross]

Whole new animal now Jacques: commercial

(seems a bit strange though, but thems the rules unfortunately)

[baldusi]

Excessive ITAR paranoid?

[jacqmans]

On at least two occasions that I'm aware of, Elon has explained that they are very worried about industrial espionage, particularly from China.

What could you see when you take photos from a rocket on the launch pad, you don´t see the inside.... And China launhes more rockets (and has a Space Staton in orbit now) then spacex does.... I do not think they would need a spacex rocket...

But I stop now, let get back to the topic....

[peter-b]

Excessive ITAR paranoid?

I don't think so; when I had a brief conversation Elon about ITAR back in November 2007, he said (and I paraphrase) that he wished ITAR would go away because it made things difficult for SpaceX (esp. recruitment and international sales), but otherwise they weren't too worried about it.  I still think this is related to industrial espionage concerns.

[jacqmans]

Can non-U.S. citizens attend pad photo sessions at Atlas or Delta sites?


 - Ed Kyle

Yes they can, I have been to some....

[QuantumG]

Excessive ITAR paranoid?

I don't think so; when I had a brief conversation Elon about ITAR back in November 2007, he said (and I paraphrase) that he wished ITAR would go away because it made things difficult for SpaceX (esp. recruitment and international sales), but otherwise they weren't too worried about it.  I still think this is related to industrial espionage concerns.

No, it's ITAR. Allowing non-US citizens next to a US spacecraft is against the law.

[peter-b]

Excessive ITAR paranoid?

I don't think so; when I had a brief conversation Elon about ITAR back in November 2007, he said (and I paraphrase) that he wished ITAR would go away because it made things difficult for SpaceX (esp. recruitment and international sales), but otherwise they weren't too worried about it.  I still think this is related to industrial espionage concerns.

No, it's ITAR. Allowing non-US citizens next to a US spacecraft is against the law.

If you say so. My personal opinion of ITAR is on record and off topic.

[jacqmans]

No, it's ITAR. Allowing non-US citizens next to a US spacecraft is against the law.

?   Since when is that, I have walked around US spacecraft manny times... Even been escorted by US Air Force and NASA....

[QuantumG]

Even been escorted by US Air Force and NASA....

Exactly.

[Chris Bergin]

Converted into the viewing thread.

[QuantumG]

Why allow U.S. citizens then?  They'll be taking pictures that could be seen by non-U.S. citizens.  Right?

For ITAR, they're required to blur certain portions.. including the engine bells.

What would prevent a U.S. citizen doing the "espionage" feared of non-U.S. citizens?

Indeed.. SpaceX isn't going to be doing complete background checks on everyone, so the espionage angle is a red herring. This is merely the legal department insisting on their ITAR requirements. Stupid law.

[Orbiter]

Launch now scheduled for May 19th, which is now a weekend night launch.

Also the first nightime launch for SpaceX.

Orbiter

[subzero788]

So am I correct that if the launch is delayed, it will only get earlier rather than later? And therefore, there is no chance of a daytime launch unless C2+ is significantly delayed by weeks/months?

[manboy]

So am I correct that if the launch is delayed, it will only get earlier rather than later? And therefore, there is no chance of a daytime launch unless C2+ is significantly delayed by weeks/months?

Yes.

[Jim]

So am I correct that if the launch is delayed, it will only get earlier rather than later? And therefore, there is no chance of a daytime launch unless C2+ is significantly delayed by weeks/months?

Approx 23 minutes earlier per day

[subzero788]

Thanks manboy and Jim

[Jorge]

NASA's sighting opportunities page:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/index.html

has been updated with Dragon sighting opportunities for the 5/19 launch date.

[Robotbeat]

BTW, I just want to say thank you to both Jim and Jorge. You two put together make this site noticeably better. Say, 40%.

[Orbiter]

I can now confirm my attendance of this launch!!

Orbiter

[Galactic Penguin SST]

With the launch time fairly close to sunrise over the east coast of the US, I wonder if anyone watching this launch up the seaboard will see the "kerosene jellyfish"? The kerosene exhaust products reflect the low angle sunlight and provides an amazing light show for spectators on the ground. This happens during the launch of a rocket with kerosene-burning upper stages (e.g. Soyuz).

Some videos to show what I'm talking about:

[ugordan]

With the launch time fairly close to sunrise over the east coast of the US, I wonder if anyone watching this launch up the seaboard will see the "kerosene jellyfish"?

I think it was worked out here that it's too early before dawn for the vehicle to enter sunlight during the powered flight phase. Certainly so for the first stage.

[Jim_LAX]

Penguin:  Thanks for posting those beautiful videos.  They were fun to watch anyway.

[corrodedNut]

Might as well post this here, too.

This is GoogleEarth's approximation of the terminator at the time of launch. The 1st stage "ground track" is from F9-001, this flight should be more to the North. What this doesn't show is what effect the vehicle's altitude will have on lighting conditions.

[corrodedNut]

Looks like Cape Hatteras could be a nice spot for viewing, probably low light pollution there. What about Wallops? Would be nice if they could open the visitors' center. Throw in a big screen TV and free wi-fi, you'd be all set.

Also, does anyone know if the MARS video from Freedom Star will be carried live?

Edit- Wrong "Star"

[Orbiter]

L-3 forecast out from Patrick AFB showing a 70% chance of GO.
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

Ironic in a sense, the last launch from Cape Canaveral to the Space Station was a 70% chance of NO-GO.

Orbiter

[rickl]

I've seen two night Shuttle launches to the ISS from my house in southeastern Pennsylvania.  They were low in the sky but quite bright.  I estimate 1st or 2nd magnitude.  Does anyone have an idea how much fainter the Falcon second stage will be, compared to the SSMEs?

[bad_astra]

Me and the Mrs might drive all evening to get there, but we are thinking of coming. Not sure where the best place to see it is still, as I am guessing the beaches will be closed. The cruise ship docks at Canaveral?

[manboy]

Me and the Mrs might drive all evening to get there, but we are thinking of coming. Not sure where the best place to see it is still, as I am guessing the beaches will be closed. The cruise ship docks at Canaveral?

Yep. Although according to the image Jim posted earlier you may be able to get a little closer then the docks.

[rdale]

Found this item tucked away on Yahoo news:

Remember this is the VIEWING thread, where you discuss good locations near the launch site, camera settings, etc. General SpaceX info is in other threads...

[SiriusGrey]

I am also thinking of going to the launch; and unless i am reading the maps and comments wrong the causeway to jetty park would be a nice spot to see the launch (maybe even the rocket on the pad?).

If no delay is announced until tomorrow, I'll try to get a last minute ticket from NYC (where i'll arrive from Europe) to Orlando, get a rental, and drive there. It's a rare chance for me to see a launch.

P.S.: Is it still possible to book domestic US flights at the airport? A quick google did not find a respectable answer to this.

[rickl]

I've seen two night Shuttle launches to the ISS from my house in southeastern Pennsylvania.  They were low in the sky but quite bright.  I estimate 1st or 2nd magnitude.  Does anyone have an idea how much fainter the Falcon second stage will be, compared to the SSMEs?

I woke up around 5:15 this morning.  I didn't realize the sky is so bright at this time.  It may be too light to see it.

I watched STS-130, but there's a big difference between 5:00 in February and 5:00 in May.

[bad_astra]

I'll have my vhf radio with me, when we arrive. Any good frequencies to listen into? Since it's not out of KSC not sure what to listen for.

[Jim]

I'll have my vhf radio with me, when we arrive. Any good frequencies to listen into? Since it's not out of KSC not sure what to listen for.

the same one is use for all launches.  146.94

[bad_astra]

Thanks

[jsmjr]

Quoting this from over on the launch preps thread:

What's the chance of ground/airborne viewers
seeing the backlit booster plumes of the Falcon-9
during its climb into orbit Saturday morning?
 
Launch is at 4:55 AM EDT.
Sunrise at the Cape is at 6:30 EDT.
Up the coast it's even earlier -- New Bern, North Carolina, is 6:02 AM.
At orbital altitude there ought to be LOTS of sunlight.
 
Also, where will first sunrise occur? From the last launch, the
folks in eastern Australia got a major sky spectacle with a
spinning spiral, as the fuel dumped. Who will see it this time?

Also, we have a series of pre-dawn ISS visuals over Houston, I
expect to be outside for every one until berthing.

I'm curious about this, too.  My local sunrise is 5:20 AM near Cape Cod.  I could reliably see MECO on night shuttle flights, but I'm wondering if it will be too light to bother tomorrow morning.

If only there was a viewing thread, where this sort of discussion has been taking place (since it has nothing to do with launch preps )

Thoughts?  I've also attached the ISS ground track over Cape Canaveral for the launch pass, courtesy of www.heavens-above.com.

[rickl]

I've seen two night Shuttle launches to the ISS from my house in southeastern Pennsylvania.  They were low in the sky but quite bright.  I estimate 1st or 2nd magnitude.  Does anyone have an idea how much fainter the Falcon second stage will be, compared to the SSMEs?

I woke up around 5:15 this morning.  I didn't realize the sky is so bright at this time.  It may be too light to see it.

I watched STS-130, but there's a big difference between 5:00 in February and 5:00 in May.

I just went out to take some test photos, in about the same sky conditions I'll encounter tomorrow morning.  I'm no photographer, and I'm just using a little Samsung pocket camera with a maximum time exposure of 15 seconds.  But I think if I can see Dragon, I'll be able to photograph it.

One of the test photos I took was of Mars.  I didn't realize that until after I got back inside.  I was just aiming at a couple of stars that I could see.  I don't think it's completely off-topic, since Mars is Elon's ultimate goal. 

The photo was taken at f/7.4 at 15 seconds.  The brightness of the sky was pretty close to what I saw with the naked eye.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Quoting this from over on the launch preps thread:

What's the chance of ground/airborne viewers
seeing the backlit booster plumes of the Falcon-9
during its climb into orbit Saturday morning?
 
Launch is at 4:55 AM EDT.
Sunrise at the Cape is at 6:30 EDT.
Up the coast it's even earlier -- New Bern, North Carolina, is 6:02 AM.
At orbital altitude there ought to be LOTS of sunlight.
 
Also, where will first sunrise occur? From the last launch, the
folks in eastern Australia got a major sky spectacle with a
spinning spiral, as the fuel dumped. Who will see it this time?

Also, we have a series of pre-dawn ISS visuals over Houston, I
expect to be outside for every one until berthing.

I'm curious about this, too.  My local sunrise is 5:20 AM near Cape Cod.  I could reliably see MECO on night shuttle flights, but I'm wondering if it will be too light to bother tomorrow morning.

If only there was a viewing thread, where this sort of discussion has been taking place (since it has nothing to do with launch preps )

Thoughts?  I've also attached the ISS ground track over Cape Canaveral for the launch pass, courtesy of www.heavens-above.com.

I have just tried the same launch with the Orbiter spaceflight simulator, and it looks like the second stage will enter sunlight off North Carolina at T+5 minutes or so (5:00 am EDT). There seems to be a chance of sunlight lighting up the exhaust plume for the last 3 minutes of flight up the eastern seaboard. Should be pretty to see!

With the launch time fairly close to sunrise over the east coast of the US, I wonder if anyone watching this launch up the seaboard will see the "kerosene jellyfish"? The kerosene exhaust products reflect the low angle sunlight and provides an amazing light show for spectators on the ground. This happens during the launch of a rocket with kerosene-burning upper stages (e.g. Soyuz).

Some videos to show what I'm talking about:

[kirghizstan]

What will be the best way to watch it on the iPad or a roku?

[Lars_J]

What will be the best way to watch it on the iPad or a roku?

SpaceX's own live feed works on iPhone/iPad devices (I just tried):

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[kirghizstan]

What will be the best way to watch it on the iPad or a roku?

SpaceX's own live feed works on iPhone/iPad devices (I just tried):

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

I get a "need adobe flash error"

Nm that is being caused by using an alternative browser for the iPad. Stupid dolphin

[thomasafb]

Does anybody have any links to the initial orbital parameters they will be aiming for?

[bad_astra]

Finally got back after a weekend of now internet access. Wish we'd seen something more than then we did, but if any of you LISATS guys are reading the forum, terrific job there at that viewing area. Wish I could be back on the 22nd.

[DaveH62]

iPad and iPhone streaming is great with the NASA app. The iPad app has NASA TV and sighting times based on your location. No Flash issues.

[docmordrid]

^^---- AGREED!! I had to go away from the home theater for about 30 minutes before the launch and the iPad app worked  great. Just put it on a stand.

[Robotbeat]

iPad and iPhone streaming is great with the NASA app. The iPad app has NASA TV and sighting times based on your location. No Flash issues.

iPhone works great, too, and has those features as well (any features unique to iPad?).

Also could watch Spaceflight Now on livestream on the iPhone Livestream app. And SpaceX's stream, too, I think.

[rickl]

On Saturday morning I was planning to run outside after first stage separation and hopefully catch a glimpse of Dragon and the second stage going by, like I did a couple of times with the Shuttle.  Alas, it's completely overcast here tonight.  I still hope they launch, though.

[yatpay]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

[Sohl]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

Very nice picture!

[yg1968]

I was on vacation in South Carolina and decided to watch the launch from the beach at 3:45 am. I kept looking South to see the launch. I never saw anything looking South but when I turned around and looked to the North, I saw this (see images below). It was the first time that I have went outside to see a launch. The Falcon 9 looked like a very bright comet. I managed to record some video with an iPhone. Unfortunatelly, the video is upside down. Here is a couple of stills from the video. It was actually brighter live than it is on these images.

[Antares]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

Great shot!

[corrodedNut]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

Looks like you got your money's worth!

[Comga]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

Lovely image!
What were your camera details and settings?
Congrats on making the quick trip and being so lucky. 

[Chris Bergin]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

You've done well there!

[Hog]

I had a clear shot of ISS passing this AM at 0419hrs Eastern, followed 2-3 minutes later by Dragon.  They both were very bright as they came out of the shadow, and faded as they approached the rising Sun.

Reminded me of STS 134 although the shuttle Endeavour and ISS were much closer for that viewing, that viewing was an hour or 2 after undocking.

ISS passing ahead of Dragon


Dragon passing after ISS


Maybe these "capsules" wont be so bad to view after all?

[rickl]

I had a clear shot of ISS passing this AM at 0419hrs Eastern, followed 2-3 minutes later by Dragon.  They both were very bright as they came out of the shadow, and faded as they approached the rising Sun.

Reminded me of STS 134 although the shuttle Endeavour and ISS were much closer for that viewing, that viewing was an hour or 2 after undocking.


Maybe these "capsules" wont be so bad to view after all?

That was the pass I wanted to see early this morning.  It was almost directly overhead for me.

The clouds or haze burned off almost as soon as the sun rose, and the sky was partly cloudy most of today.  Now some storms are coming in.

There's another good pass at around 3:30 Thursday where they will be even closer together.  That looks like the best one I'll get for the rest of the mission.  I really would like to see the two of them together, before berthing.

[DaveH62]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

You've done well there!

Awesome!

[Hog]

I had a clear shot of ISS passing this AM at 0419hrs Eastern, followed 2-3 minutes later by Dragon.  They both were very bright as they came out of the shadow, and faded as they approached the rising Sun.

Reminded me of STS 134 although the shuttle Endeavour and ISS were much closer for that viewing, that viewing was an hour or 2 after undocking.


Maybe these "capsules" wont be so bad to view after all?

That was the pass I wanted to see early this morning.  It was almost directly overhead for me.

The clouds or haze burned off almost as soon as the sun rose, and the sky was partly cloudy most of today.  Now some storms are coming in.

There's another good pass at around 3:30 Thursday where they will be even closer together.  That looks like the best one I'll get for the rest of the mission.  I really would like to see the two of them together, before berthing.

Ive got a pass at 0500hrs Eastern Thurday, cloudless right now, hopefully so in 4 hours.    Am able to see the stars with great clarity along with Mars, Venus and Saturn.

Time for some shut-eye.

[rickl]

There's another good pass at around 3:30 Thursday where they will be even closer together.  That looks like the best one I'll get for the rest of the mission.  I really would like to see the two of them together, before berthing.

Nope; completely socked in.   

[majormajor42]

Darn, overcast in NYC.  That would have been nice to see.

[yatpay]

Here's my photo of the launch, captured from the Max A. Brewer Memorial parkway.

http://i.imgur.com/MTNgx.jpg

Lovely image!
What were your camera details and settings?
Congrats on making the quick trip and being so lucky. 

Thanks! It was with a Canon Rebel XSi and the plain old kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) since it was the widest lens I have. It's a 197 second exposure at f/8.0. I had the aperture so high because I was concerned about the shot being too out of focus, and by chance I struck upon a nearly perfect exposure! I got very lucky

[Hog]

Friday morning pass is only 399kms above me, with a 3.5 mag.

[Hog]

Friday AM's pass was very very bright and went directly overhead. The 2 vehicles appeared as one due to their close proximity to one another.
 The pass was mired by about a mintes worth of cloud.  About 3 minutes into the pass I viewed a meteor that streaked slightly North of ISS/Dragon. 

Anyone else see this meteor Friday AM?

[TJL]

Were any photos released from instruments (SCIFLI) that monitored Falcon 9 / Dragon launch activities from the North Atlantic aboard Freedom?
Thank you.