Author Topic: STS-120 Viewing (Read 36947 times)

Andrewwski · « **Reply #60 on:** 10/14/2007 11:59 pm »

When I watched my only launch (STS-118), I had the camcorder on a tripod recording. I moved it with my hand to try and track the vehicle without looking down at the screen once.

I was moderately successful. The early portions of the flight came out good, and I did actually catch a fraction of a second that shows a falling SRB.

I agree that personal pictures and videos are some of the best souvenirs, but the memory and experience is even better. So if it's your only launch for awhile, or first launch, your naked eye and a nice pair of binoculars are best.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #61 on:** 10/15/2007 12:08 am »

I concur and always recommend it. It is very easy to take still photos without looking at the camera. Use a tripod and snap without looking; use a remote chord if you have an SLR. As for video, it's harder but if you don't zoom in too much you can either leave it as a static shot, or track carefully like that.

TNCMAXQ · « **Reply #62 on:** 10/15/2007 02:30 am »

I thought the food as Rusty's was excellent, and have had others recommend it.

I hope there will be tents available for "congressional" guests again as there were for 117. That sure helped. If not I am hoping maybe I can stay on the bus and read or listen to my mp3 until closer to launch.

One thing that will be different for this one is it will be the first time in years we will have a new voice of launch control. That will be memorable.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #63 on:** 10/15/2007 04:54 am »

If this is your first launch then I would recommend just watching with your eyes. I've tried several times to snap photos of launches, but can't tear my eyes away from the magnificence of the vehicle rising off the pad and accelarating into the heavens... espcially when the sound HITS you!

magrathea42 · « **Reply #64 on:** 10/15/2007 12:33 pm »

This might be slightly off-topic, but, does anyone have any experience with buying or selling KSC visitor's center tickets? I bought admission passes and NASA Up Close tour tickets for Oct. 22nd, but now it looks like I might not need them as a connection has come through with a VIP tour (+ viewing too, from Banana Creek I think!!). So I'd like to try and sell the NASA Up Close tickets at least if I can. Now I know they say they are nontransferable but are they really strict about that? I mean, all the ticket is is a printout with a barcode, it doesn't have my name on it or anything.

Crossing my fingers for the FRR outcome...

Andrewwski · « **Reply #65 on:** 10/15/2007 07:43 pm »

Quote

TNCMAXQ - 14/10/2007 10:30 PM

I thought the food as Rusty's was excellent, and have had others recommend it.

I hope there will be tents available for "congressional" guests again as there were for 117. That sure helped. If not I am hoping maybe I can stay on the bus and read or listen to my mp3 until closer to launch.

One thing that will be different for this one is it will be the first time in years we will have a new voice of launch control. That will be memorable.

Heh...I had a laptop with wireless internet...what could beat following it on this site andseeing it live in person?

perdomo · « **Reply #66 on:** 10/16/2007 03:17 am »

I received tickets (by mistake) to see the launch from the KSC Visitor Complex but I want to take pictures of this launch. Is there anything I can do with those tickets? Is there any building, restaurant etc with a good view to take pictures from Titusville? Well, I am assuming the view would be better from Titusville than the KSC.

TJL · « **Reply #67 on:** 10/16/2007 03:32 am »

Titusville offers great viewing along the Indian River off of U.S.1. You'll be able to see the shuttle while it's on the pad.
From the KSC Visitors Center, you won't see the shuttle until it has cleared the surrounding trees...about 10 seconds or so after launch.

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #68 on:** 10/16/2007 03:48 am »

If you want to see the pad, then Titusville is better. However, Titusville is 12 miles while the visitors complex is 7.4, so take your pick. There are plenty of areas to view from, such as Spaceview Park and the Astronaut Walk of Fame. I do not know of any buildings with elevated decks.

How exactly did you wind up with visitors complex tickets by mistake? If you are supposed to get causeway tickets, call them and tell them they got the order wrong. As far as what to do with them otherwise, you can give them away. They are not in name.

TheWarden · « **Reply #69 on:** 10/16/2007 09:22 am »

Just a quick question about the viewing. With having to be at KSC by 6am at the latest (I managed to get tickets to the Causeway viewing) , does anyone know if there is anywhere selling breakfast at that time or is it a good idea to bring something with you?

DaveS · « **Reply #70 on:** 10/16/2007 10:00 am »

Quote

TNCMAXQ - 15/10/2007 4:30 AM
is it will be the first time in years we will have a new voice of launch control. That will be memorable.

Not true. Mike Curie did the tanking commentary for 118.

TNCMAXQ · « **Reply #71 on:** 10/16/2007 04:04 pm »

"Not true. Mike Curie did the tanking commentary for 118"

OK. I meant commentary through liftoff though.

If I bring my laptop to the causeway will I be able to get a connection there?? I never though of that but it might be good not only to make the long wait go by faster but also of course to keep track more closely of the count. With the camera, binoculars, sun block and other stuff I want to bring though, I don't want to overdo it.

Jim · « **Reply #72 on:** 10/16/2007 04:55 pm »

No connection on the causeway

Rocket Guy · « **Reply #73 on:** 10/16/2007 06:24 pm »

You would need a wireless carrier card like Verizon or Earthlink.

magrathea42 · « **Reply #74 on:** 10/16/2007 07:19 pm »

Long shot but is there wifi at Banana Creek (thats the Saturn V center site, right?)?

perdomo · « **Reply #75 on:** 10/16/2007 11:06 pm »

I created a group in flickr to share pictures, experiences, etc for this mission STS-120. So you are invited to visit us and upload your pictures there. All ideas are welcome! Greetings!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/sts120/

Andrewwski · « **Reply #76 on:** 10/17/2007 01:29 am »

I doubt there's Wifi at that site, and if so, it's probably encrypted. I'd think anything within KSC would be encrypted.

In Titusville there seemed to be very little wifi. We were lucky enough to have a Verizon Wireless card. The speed was about 550 kbps, which was enough to stream NASA TV and follow this site.

It was definitely nice to have. I couldn't imagine trying to wait all that time before launch without following it on this site. NASA TV is just so boring compared to what you can find out here.

psloss · « **Reply #77 on:** 10/17/2007 01:56 am »

Quote

Andrewwski - 16/10/2007 9:29 PM

It was definitely nice to have. I couldn't imagine trying to wait all that time before launch without following it on this site. NASA TV is just so boring compared to what you can find out here.

It was easy -- here's a standard "walking uphill in the snow, both ways" speech:

It was easy to watch a launch in person after 15+ years of watching shuttle countdowns, mostly in sporadic, three-minute segments on commercial TV, dozens of them before Netscape was founded. The causeway and elsewhere had the luxury of NASA Select/NASA TV audio.

rgerhards · « **Reply #78 on:** 10/17/2007 06:49 am »

When I visited KSC last summer, there was no public wi-fi in any area. The only option, as noted, is cell based services, like verizon.

Rainer

KSC Engineer · « **Reply #79 on:** 10/20/2007 02:05 am »

All good points. I guess the best approach is to capture the moment as best you can with a camera or video but don't get so caught up in capturing the moment and messing with the gear that you don't enjoy and savor the moment. It happens fast so let your senses be ready for the ride. Ideally have someone who has seen a bunch of launches do all the work - with you in the picture/video so you can see view your own experience at a later date. It is truly the greatest show on earth in my view. I never get tired of watching the shuttle go up.