STS-120 Viewing

[TNCMAXQ]

I stayed at that Clarion when it used to be a Holiday Inn in 1989 for STS 28, which was a DOD mission. The view was good but it was so hazy at ground level you could not see the shuttle on the pad, or anything else at KSC from there, unfortunately. When the vehicle was high enough to see it was a good clear view but I don't think you could hear the sound until about T+90 seconds. So that was a bit of a letdown.

I think your view from there is fine but I am also curious to hear about other spots in Titusville. This Parrish Park on the 402 (?) causeway is intrigueing. I wonder if you might be a closer to the launch pads from there. But I wonder at what point that road is closed off since it looks like it leads directly to the north part of KSC.

[ChrisGebhardt]

TNCMAXQ - 10/9/2007  3:24 PM

I think your view from there is fine but I am also curious to hear about other spots in Titusville. This Parrish Park on the 402 (?) causeway is intrigueing. I wonder if you might be a closer to the launch pads from there. But I wonder at what point that road is closed off since it looks like it leads directly to the north part of KSC.

I don't know where the road is actually closed for launch day, but the road itself is a great place to view a launch. I'm go there often for launches and it's about 10miles from the launch pad. PM me if you guys want more info. on this spot.

[Rocket Guy]

The road (Garden Street leading to the Max Brewer bridge) is 406 not 402. It is closed beginning on the east side of the bridge beginning at L-3 days. For pad A the closest here is about 11.5 miles (about 10 miles for B). You can measure in Google Earth.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

[John2375]

What about north of KSC?? That beach north of the pads - is there any way to get as close as they let you on that side - be an interesting perspective for sure..

[Rocket Guy]

You can go down that beach as close as 12 miles, but not with a vehicle...you have to walk or bike maybe, by entering up at New Smyrna where CC Nat'l Seashore begins. This is the view from about 15-20 miles using a zoom lens and on a very clear day:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1084938/M/

You can get to the same distance by driving down S.R. 3 from the north, to the Halouver canal. I have seen just one photo to date from here. They are different, but offer no advantage over Titusville in my opinion (though they will be less crowded for sure). Here is a photo from the canal (note his caption is incorrect about the distance):

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1994463

[rgerhards]

I, too, was lucky and managed to get some LTT tickets. I had to purchase the "have breakfast with an astronaut option", but at least I got them The breakfast is at 5:30a, which for sure will bring me one of the earliest scheduled arrival times, I guess 5a at the first launch attempt. But that's the smallest issue, giving the fact I am flying over from Germany with my family just to view the launch. I even have managed to convince my son's school that he must have some extra days off for the event.

It's my first launch, and will probably be my only shuttle launch ever. So I would like to make it the greatest possible experience and have a few questions. I know that there is no definite answer to them, but I would appreciate a few rules of thumb from the experienced folks over here.

The number one question is how many days does it *usually* take to actually launch? From what I have seen, I'd say there is a 80% chance of a successful launch attempt within the first 7 calendar days. Is this right?

How common is it that the launch is scrubbed in the last 4 hours? I am asking because I have read the my LTT is used up as soon as I board the bus (actually when I hand it over, so even earlier).

Assuming that I have bad luck and the launch is scrubbed after I used my tickets - do you know how new ones can be obtained? Especially, is there a specific trick in getting hold of them? I tried to visit last summer's Atlantis launch and had to travel back a day or so before it actually launched I did not see any LTTs popping up during that time, even though a lot of people had to leave early. But I remember there was no last-minute scrub at that time.

I know that from a consumables point of view, there cannot be a launch attempt every day. I think I have heard that there can be at most 2 (or 3?) consecutive launch attempts, then a day is needed for stocking up consumables. Is this right? If so, what are the actual numbers (consecutive attempts, days to re-fill consumables).

Has anyone experience in how long it takes to drive in from Orlando? I may have been too late to secure a hotel room close to the area (working on that ). So I may be forced to drive from Orlando, maybe from the airport area.

Does anybody know if there is a problem if I drive to the visitor center's parking lot with a car full of luggage? I assume the screening happens at the "normal" KSCVC entry point after the ticket booth (and restrictions apply from there).

Do I need to allocate extra travel time when I drive in via SR-3 (I have the feeling that it can get much more crowded, but there is no substance for that feeling...)?

Agreed, I've a lot of questions I would deeply appreciate any answers, the full set isn't necessary. Again, I know space flight is complex and risky and there are now definite answers to many of my questions. I would just be interested in what you think is common - knowing that this time things may be considerably different (as last year with Atlantis...). And, of course, all other tips are also deeply appreciated. I hope for a great and safe launch!

Rainer

[TJL]

Rainer:
I'll share my experience on shuttle launches -vs- scrubs.
I live in the New York area which is approximately 1100 miles from the Kennedy Space Center.
Being the huge space fan that I am, my family and I scheduled our (usually 1 week) vacations around a shuttle launch quite a few times...Yes I have a great family!!
Between STS-3 in 1982 and STS-118 last month, we were there for 14 shuttle launch attempts.
Out of those 14, we were fortunate enough to see 11 launches. There are so many factors in a system as complicated as the space shuttle...not to mention weather conditions around the world. The 3 scrubs I witnessed were at T-6 hours, T-9 minutes, and T-5 minutes.
If you look at a step by step countdown from T- 6 hours to T-0, and factor in every part that must work, it truly is amazing that there aren't more scrubs!
Experiencing a scrub is very disappointing as you can imagine, but experiencing a launch is something that you'll never forget!
Go with an open mind, don't worry about what can happen, and enjoy the experience of a lifetime...Good Luck!!

[rgerhards]

Hi TJL,

thanks for the reply and the info. That looks promising. I definitely have an open mind and I can stay for the full launch window until Nov, 13th as an "emergency action" I remember my disappointments on the STS-115 launch attempts (I guess that was the worst mission ever in that regard?). I hope all goes well and we'll see an excellent launch on the first attempts.

Does anybody else have some info on the remaining questions? Especially the one with getting new LTTs is quite interesting to me

Thanks,
Rainer

I was notified by my Congressman's Office on Friday that I had been selected/approved by NASA to receive VIP Tickets.  I was told that I won't receive anything in the mail until next week.  

Does anyone know where the folks with VIP tickets will view the launch from?

Thanks,

Ray.

[Rocket Guy]

It used be to be an easy answer, the Banana Creek VIP viewing site at the Saturn V Center. This was the VIP site for everyone until Return to Flight.

Now, they have been sending many VIPs to the causeway (though separated from the public ticket holders). They decided to limit the number of viewers at Banana Creek starting with 114.

If it is Banana Creek you will be at 3.9 miles; the causeway, 6.5 to 7.5 depending on where on the causeway.

[dmc6960]

How'd you manage that?

Ray Todd - 6/10/2007  8:02 PM

I was notified by my Congressman's Office on Friday that I had been selected/approved by NASA to receive VIP Tickets.  I was told that I won't receive anything in the mail until next week.  

Does anyone know where the folks with VIP tickets will view the launch from?

Thanks,

Ray.

I contacted my Congressman's office about two months ago and requested VIP tickets.  They in turn sent a request to NASA, who has the ultimate approval.  I was notified last Friday that I was 'approved' by NASA.

Ray.

dmc6960 - 9/10/2007  12:06 PM

How'd you manage that?

Ray Todd - 6/10/2007  8:02 PM

I was notified by my Congressman's Office on Friday that I had been selected/approved by NASA to receive VIP Tickets.  I was told that I won't receive anything in the mail until next week.  

Does anyone know where the folks with VIP tickets will view the launch from?

Thanks,

Ray.

[Andrewwski]

Congressman...as in a House represantative?

And you basically just write a letter requesting VIP tickets, and hope you get them?

That's it!

Ray.

Andrewwski - 9/10/2007  7:24 PM

Congressman...as in a House represantative?

And you basically just write a letter requesting VIP tickets, and hope you get them?

[Andrewwski]

Cool...I am so gonna try that next summer!

[CTdave]

dmc6960 - 10/9/2007  9:18 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!

I will be at the visitors center with my wife, 3 yr old daughter and my 5 year old son for their first launch. When I bought the tickets they asked me about lunch with an astronaut but I declined. An hour later I called back for tickets & they were sold out. If you would like to sell your lunch tickets, I'm buying!!
Dave

I just realized your tickets are for breakfast. Never mind  

[CTdave]

If anyone has "lunch with an astronaut" tickets, I'd be happy to buy them.  We will ba at the visitor ctr.
2 adults, one 3 yr old and one 5yr old.
Thanks!
David

[CTdave]

rgerhards - 14/9/2007  8:56 AM
Does anybody know if there is a problem if I drive to the visitor center's parking lot with a car full of luggage? I assume the screening happens at the "normal" KSCVC entry point after the ticket booth (and restrictions apply from there).
Rainer

Rainer
I just received my visitor center passes & information. In bold letters it states items NOT permitted at the visitor complex.
Aside of guns, knives etc.. it says no "backpacks, coolers, luggage or other small bags".
See you there!
Dave

[Andrewwski]

Normally it's fine to go to the parking lot with those items, you just have to go through security/metal detectors as a person to actually enter the visitors' center without those items.

[swifty]

Ray Todd - 6/10/2007  8:02 PM

I was notified by my Congressman's Office on Friday that I had been selected/approved by NASA to receive VIP Tickets.  I was told that I won't receive anything in the mail until next week.  

Does anyone know where the folks with VIP tickets will view the launch from?

Thanks,

Ray.

Ray

I just received my Banana Creek VIP pass in the mail. Even though I live just 2 hours south and have seen many of the launches from my balcony this will be my first at KSC. Hope to see you there. Are you meeting the bus at the mall?

Steve

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=28.615927~-80.637717&style=h&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&sp=Point.ns0jfy889wsv_Banana%20Creek%20VIP%20Viewing%20Site___~Point.ns45nw88fdh4_39-B___~Point.ns170288gpv4_39-A%20STS120___~Polyline.ns16gf88gpny_ns0jh5889wsv_Untitled%20item____%230000FF_%23008000_2pt_Single_Solid_ns0wgw88d8qx~Point.ns0tfq889sb9_Saturn-V%20%2F%20Apllo%20Center___~Point.nrhzvz88gxr9_Regular%20Viewing___&encType=1