STS-120 Viewing

[dmc6960]

I am going to be in Florida for my honeymoon from Oct 22-31st.  I would like to get some causeway passes (unless anyone can get a newly married couple some premium spots) for watching the launch.  Does anyone know when the tickets for STS-120 are going to be for sale?  And since I've read they sell out very fast, any ideas on the best way of getting them?  This will be my first (non-Estes or water based) rocket launch.  Thanks.

[Space Shrew]

Try the KSC visitor complex website.  I have booked a 3 week hoilday to see this launch which will be my first ever rocket launch live.  

[abacus]

Launch viewing tickets appear to go on sale on 10th September.  They say that they ship them out 3 weeks before the launch, how long will they take to arrive in the UK?  I am a little concerned that they may not arrive before I fly out to the USA.

[tmckinley]

The pads are visible from Titusville. I'd almost recommend staying in a hotel in Titusville (that way you have internet access) over watching from the causeway-no after launch traffic either.

[MechTech]

tmckinley - 8/9/2007  2:39 PM

The pads are visible from Titusville. I'd almost recommend staying in a hotel in Titusville (that way you have internet access) over watching from the causeway-no after launch traffic either.

There is a huge difference IMO , if you are on the 405 NASA Causeway it is alot better view than Titusville . If someone could slide into getting them into the turn basin .......... WOW , that's the view .

Only way that happens is if someone gets a turn basin pass and takes them both in . Turn basin passes only allow 3 people total (or did last time I saw info on them) .

The person who brought them in would be responsible for their actions , though they may be fine , trusting someone from over the web is hard to do

[Chris Bergin]

tmckinley - 8/9/2007  8:39 PM

The pads are visible from Titusville. I'd almost recommend staying in a hotel in Titusville (that way you have internet access) over watching from the causeway-no after launch traffic either.

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[Andrewwski]

A hotel in Titusville may be great, but I'd reccomend going along the water.  Well, obviously causeway would be the best, but if you can't get to the causeway, Titusville is a great spot too.

I was down there for STS-118 and we just pulled into a spot along the Indian River.  They charged $10 to park.  It was a place called Paul's Smokehouse.  They had a ton of shore on the river...and an air-condtioned restaurant showing NASA TV before the launch.

We were lucky enough to have the internet there too...we had a laptop with a Verizon aircard.  I couldn't lock onto any wifi signals though.

There was also an AM radio station...1240 I think...that put the commentary of NASA TV through and didn't babble over it.

Anyway, I'd take the causeway any day, but we didn't end up getting passes, so Titusville did well.  Here's a picture of the view from where we were.  It's zoomed a bit but it was only a snap-and-shoot digital camera.  Through image stabilizing binoculars it was spectacular.

[TJL]

Having seen quite a few shuttle launches over the years, I must say that Titusville does offer a great view. It's one of the few locations where you can capture both the shuttle launch and VAB in the same frame.

[Andrewwski]

Yes...and if you know where to look through binoculars, you can even see the MDD.

[TJL]

Absolutely, I believe it was just to the right of 39B.

[ChrisGebhardt]

If you're looking for a great view where you don't have to pay anything for parking or passes and that has NASA TV radio broadcasts then you're going to want to go to the 402 causeway (aka Garden Street) located just north of KSC. This viewing place has an unobstructed view of the VAB and launch pads and provides a great view of all launches as the shuttle will head north (thus passing directly in front of you) as it launches. Also, at this viewing area you don't have to worry about the shuttle's exhaust trail obscurring it from view. It doesn't happen here!

Are you talking about the space view park or somewhere else?

[dmc6960]

Well, I did get the causeway tickets, but I had to also buy breakfast with an astronaut which wasn't what I wanted, but still wont be all that bad itself.  I'm really looking forward to this!

dmc6960 - 10/9/2007  10:18 AM

Well, I did get the causeway tickets, but I had to also buy breakfast with an astronaut which wasn't what I wanted, but still wont be all that bad itself.  I'm really looking forward to this!

We were not lucky. The tickets had sold out within 2 minutes...

[TNCMAXQ]

It said "available" at first, then after I entered my credit card number and gave all that info, it said sold out. Oh well. I'm not even sure I will need the ticket but wanted to have it as an option. I figure if I don't make the trip, or make other viewing arrangements, I could give it away. (If they are transferable.) If I can't get a caueway pass from my senator's office maybe I will have to watch from Titusville. The view looks good but I will miss being able to hear the noise from the vehicle within the first half minute or so after liftoff.

[alwysrit2]

Same here, had the tickets, hit the finalize button and they were gone...9:03.  Couldn't get through on the phone either.  I made reservations with grayline.  It will be  a bit eaiser for us since we don't need to figure out the rental car (Silver lining).
-Don

Does anyone know if you can purchase tickets to the vistor's center AFTER the launch?  The website states that the tickets aren't good for the day of launch.  I've tried calling to get an answer and can't get through...?

[dmc6960]

Only launch ticket holders can get to the Visitors Center on a launch day.  Regular Visitors Center tickets are good on almost any other day.

dmc6960 - 10/9/2007  12:35 PM

Only launch ticket holders can get to the Visitors Center on a launch day.  Regular Visitors Center tickets are good on almost any other day.

Thanks Jim...

Ray.

I currently have reserved a room at the Clarion Hotel in Titusville (I believe that it used to be the Holiday Inn).  Would it be worth simply staying on the hotel property to see the launch or to go to another viewing area to get a better view?

Thanks,

Ray.