Author Topic: STS-120 Viewing (Read 36946 times)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #80 on:** 10/21/2007 04:06 pm »

There are good points in here about enjoying the experience without too much work trying to fiddle with camera equipment. I'm not a professional photographer by ANY means, so what I did with my two launches was to take a few isolated shots but I spent most of the time looking at the ascents through binoculars or (mainly) just my eyes. That way, I got some neat pictures but also enjoyed the full experience. If I could go to every launch in person, I would.

SpinControl · « **Reply #81 on:** 10/21/2007 08:01 pm »

Great read, everyone! Thanks for all the suggestions.

My family and I will be at the launch. My boys (4 and 2) have been really interested in the shuttle since seeing the BIG SPACE SHUTTLE DVD. Therefore, I convinced my wife to do this trip. Was bummed on 9/10 that I could only get visitor center tickets (missed the KSC e-mails about ticket sales on Monday morning as we were camping), but after reading here that at 9:03a tickets were sold out, I do not feel so bad.

However, last week I dropped more $ for the Grayline tour when I saw that tickets for the causeway were available. I'm so stoked. I got home and told my oldest son...first thing he says to me is "why do we have to be so close?" My wife was laughing her head off (jokingly) as she gave me a hard time about the extra $, the early (5a) departure, and the long day for both boys - and that they would not know the difference. It wasn't the really the money...it was more the other two issues for her.

Anyways, I hope all goes well with everyone traveling to FL. We'll be coming from CO on Monday.

One question: what is a good magnification for binoculars to see the pad and launch from the causeway?

Thanks all!

marcozambi · « **Reply #82 on:** 10/21/2007 11:45 pm »

Hi! We are a group of Italians here in florida to assist to the shuttle launch.
We all have bought Grayline tickets, and the travel agency gived us the pick up appointment to the Titusville's K-MART parking lot.
We have been told to be there at 5.50 am. Is there any of you departing from the same location?
Do you have the same departure time (I ask this because despite my multiple tentatives, the guy on the phone has been extremely unpleasant and in hurry. Of course you understand it would be better not to miss thei pickup).
If you can help me, please send a sms at +13215364208.
Thanks in advance...

John2375 · « **Reply #83 on:** 10/22/2007 10:22 pm »

Anyone planning on viewing the launch from Titusville around the pier, near McDonald's, PM me - I'll be there.

CommanderAce · « **Reply #84 on:** 10/23/2007 04:09 pm »

I'm probably mistaken but there was a short streak across the southern horizon of East Anglia at the right time and place to be Discovery as she passed across the Atlantic. Came from a similar position and followed a similar path to the ISS but lower in the sky. Whats the chances?

John2375 · « **Reply #85 on:** 10/23/2007 05:34 pm »

AWESOME!!! Just got back -
SPECTACULAR.. once it was above the clouds - sky was clear-blue.. great view of SRB sep.. too bad my video cam. refused to work today

Good rumble and ground shook good too

TJL · « **Reply #86 on:** 10/23/2007 06:53 pm »

John...whereabouts in Titusville did you view it from? (I saw "118" from there in August.)

Jim · « **Reply #87 on:** 10/23/2007 07:06 pm »

First time viewing from the "new"desk. Being on the second floor allowed clear viewing of the pad above trees. Had AC and internet access

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #88 on:** 10/23/2007 07:37 pm »

Quote

Jim - 23/10/2007 3:06 PM

First time viewing from the "new"desk. Being on the second floor allowed clear viewing of the pad above trees. Had AC and internet access

I have to admit that I envy you. I have never seen a shuttle launch/land, and I probably never will. Almost was able to watch the STS-61 launch, but unfortunately the launch was scrubbed due to cloud cover cover the SRB recovery zone, and that was my last day in Florida. My family went back to Florida in 2001, but they did the visit Disney thing and family, I was a little upset to say the least.

John2375 · « **Reply #89 on:** 10/23/2007 10:20 pm »

I viewed from the pier in Titusville, just down the street from McDonald's. great view, unobstructed - lots of people. So funny how there's always a mix of experienced viewers and newbies, and the new ones so often have NO idea what they're in for: One lady once it went coudlnt' stop shrieking "Oh my GGGGOOOOODDDDD" she was so excited!! LOL
Another guy thought he was an "expert" and announced to anyone listening that they were delaying 2 hours because of the ice problem..

TJL · « **Reply #90 on:** 10/26/2007 01:37 am »

Anyone know why Administrator Griiffin wasn't at KSC for the STS-120 launch?
Thank you.

nasaman21 · « **Reply #91 on:** 03/12/2008 02:57 pm »

Ray Todd, do you know how NASA picks people for the VIP tickets?

nasaman21 · « **Reply #92 on:** 03/13/2008 05:03 pm »

has anyone bought launch tickets off of ebay? My grandmother and I are going to see 124 at the end of may. any advice on how to get tickets right as they go on sale for the causeway site? does KSC offer causeway tickets for the subsequent launch attempts in the event of a scrub and after you have boarded the bus? If they don't then i'll have to request VIP tickets.

K8B · « **Reply #93 on:** 03/14/2008 01:31 am »

I have not purchased tickets off of Ebay.

As for buying tickets for the launch (STS-124) - Find out when they are going on sale... I think usually about 3 weeks before the launch and go on sale at 9am (EST) by phone (not the recommended way) and online (supposedly the best way). Several NSF members were able to get tickets online for STS-123.

You can register on the KSC site to receive launch information: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/eventSignUp.asp , this way you will get an email ahead of time from them letting you know when the tickets will go on sale (but keep checking the KSC website anyway).

On the day they are to go on sale - get online early (couple of minutes to 9am EST) to the tickets page... at 9am the links to the tickets will say something like "on sale now" and you can click there and enter your info. Someone recommended keeping all your info - credit card type - in a word file for quick use (to copy & paste into the payment area). Do it as quickly as you can because the Causeway tickets sell out within minute(s).

Another post I've read said to have your cell phone with you & have the number to KSC tickets when you are out on the causeway (after the bus ride) in the event of a scrub so you can call & try to get more tickets the minute a scrub is called. We saw STS-117 and didn't buy tickets ahead of time as they weren't available. We were fortunate to be with a special group that was offered tickets to the causeway the day before the launch. We jumped on that and got lucky!

I am on the list for VIP tickets for STS-124 (fingers crossed) and am told we won't hear about that until about 2 weeks before launch. I'm sweating bullets about it. I want to make sure we get tickets and am tempted to also try to buy causeway tickets when the go on sale just to make sure I get "the good stuff" :-).

nasaman21 · « **Reply #94 on:** 03/14/2008 02:56 pm »

How do you get on the VIP list for launch tickets?

K8B · « **Reply #95 on:** 03/14/2008 07:22 pm »

You contact your state's congress person - State Senators - (Provided you are in the states, if not - I have no idea how you manage it) - Find your senator here: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm - they usually have a website associated with their name on the look-up.

I submitted a request through their (our Senator's website) services contact area and then I followed it up with a phone call to make sure they received it. I'm glad I did too because they didn't get the first try. So I submitted another request and then followed that one up a week later. Again - Glad I did because they told me they couldn't get tickets to that. To which I said - gosh, I know that it can be done - so they checked around again (several times on hold) and eventually got me to the right person. They confirmed my request and said they'd just talked to someone somewhere & I was on the list. Yippee!!

It's never a for sure until they send you the goods though. They don't contact you until it gets closer to launch. I know that several people (and you should check the STS-123 thread on this same topic for ideas of experiences & other good ideas - http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11655&posts=122&start=1) on the STS-123 thread got the tickets online & one person ended up selling the tickets they wrangled online because their VIP passes came through. So those must be issued after the tickets open up for sale through KSC.

nasaman21 · « **Reply #96 on:** 03/26/2008 01:34 pm »

I hope I can get VIP tickets or any tickets. I have my plane reservation already made for STS-124 launch. Is there any other ways I can get causeway tickets/ VIP tickets other than KSC, Greyline, or the Senate? Has anyone tried getting VIP through their representative on the federal level? I might try that and let you all know if it works.

nasaman21 · « **Reply #97 on:** 03/26/2008 10:51 pm »

I got a call from Sen. Kloubuchar's office today saying NASA would like my address. Does that mean I have VIP access?

ntschke · « **Reply #98 on:** 03/27/2008 01:13 am »

Quote

nasaman21 - 26/3/2008 7:51 PM I got a call from Sen. Kloubuchar's office today saying NASA would like my address. Does that mean I have VIP access?

Not necessarily, but it is a good sign. If they get back to you and ask for names of all guests in your party then you're getting closer.

nasaman21 · « **Reply #99 on:** 03/27/2008 01:53 pm »

I have to call them back today and give them my address. What does that mean if they asked for my address?