On Going to See a Shuttle Launch

[T'Bonz]

Surprisingly, even though I've lived in Fort Lauderdale for almost 28 years, I've never seen a launch up at Kennedy. I can see them occasionally from here, but I'm sure it's nothing like seeing one closer to the launch site.

I've talked the husband into going to see the next launch as I want to see one in person before we move out of the state, which we hope to do in the next few years.

What I want is advice. What is the protocol? How close can I get to the launch site?

Has anyone here actually been to a launch?

I think the next one, if what I read is right, will launch next month, if it's not sent up to rescue this current one (God forbid.)

Thanks for any advice. I've been up to Kennedy twice and did the extended tour (what a space geek's delight!) but I really want to see a launch.

 

[Squiggy]

Make me a mod and I'll hook you up.

 

[T'Bonz]

That's a cruel thing to do to someone in exchange for a favor.

 

[Squiggy]

Fair enough. Here's the deal, and since there are just 8 launches left, it's best not to doddle. BIG MAP!

If you want to see see something from inside KSC, you have to know someone...someone higher up the food chain than me. I can't help ya. Contact your local Congresscritter. Senator Nelson isn't a bad contact for this for obvious reasons. But...you're not out of luck. You can get a spot on the NASA Causeway. It's on base about 7 miles from the action. They sell tickets for this (56 bucks a person) and the sell out fast so it's not a spur of the moment thing. That's the closest and clearest place for you. Lacking that, you can sacrifice a clear shot for proximity and get a spot at the Visitor's Center. Or you can give up closeness for a good view in Titusville.

Your next best bet is along Route 528 in Port Canaveral. Again, prime spots fill up a day in advance some times and traffic getting out is hell on Earth. But, if I were you, I'd make a weekend of it. Get a hotel on the beach. Chill for a day and walk out to the beach to see the launch.

But if you're going for "impact", see how many favors you can call in and get on base or get a spot on the Causeway. Feeling the heat and concussion hit you is something else.

KSC Updates:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/event-sign-up.aspx

KSC Tickets:
http://www.ksctickets.com/

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

 

[Anticitizen]

It seems to me that if you have connections to journalism you could find some leverage to get in rather closely, if you play your cards right.

 

[Squiggy]

Media viewing is the closest site, 3.04 miles from the pad.

 

[T'Bonz]

I have slight connections to journalism but it's on the West Coast. I'm not sure if they can help me out.

I read the stuff at NASA about a media pass. Even if I could get one, which I'm not sure I could, that wouldn't get the husband in with me and he is my wheels and escort.

What I'm going to do is try to get real people tickets tomorrow. Isn't it something that TOMORROW is the day they go on sale for STS-127 at 9 A.M. The only snag is that they sell out quickly, in two minutes. I'd get the Causeway tickets and we'd get a hotel up in that area and stay overnight.

I don't mind being on the Causeway, but it looks like tickets are hard to get. I may not be successful. I'm a quick typist, but still...

If that doesn't work, I will phone the Senator's office and/or try to tap those slim connections, either for this launch, or the one in August.

You know, not having real life connections sucks at times like this!

Thanks for all of the help, Squiggy. Hopefully I'll get in somehow.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

Media viewing is the closest site, 3.04 miles from the pad.

Is that still out in front of the firing rooms? That's the area my Uncle got me in for Apollo 16 and Skylab 1.

 

[T'Bonz]

*grin!* I got my tickets!!!!

As soon as it was 9 AM, I typed as fast as I've ever typed in my life. I had a cheat sheet up with my credit card details in case my memory failed me and the name of the ticket package. The entire process took about a minute and a half. By 9:05, this package was sold out, so they're not kidding when they say it sells out quickly.

And it worked. My order went through and I have the confirmation via email. I got tickets to go out on the causeway.

If all goes well, next month I will get to see a shuttle launch. The early time sucks, but hey, it's a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Thanks so much for the help, Squiggy. This space geek is all excited.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

Congrats!! Happy viewing!

 

[Lindley]

What's always bugged me about these is, what happens if the launch is delayed? Do your tickets remain valid? Obviously if you've flown in from elsewhere your vacation plans may not allow you to wait for the rescheduled launch....it would suck to go all that way for nothing.

 

[Squiggy]

I doubt they remain valid.

Congrats on your tickets Bonz. Maybe I'll see you in town next month.

 

[T'Bonz]

I'll be the one all excited while my husband is all sleepy and cranky!

 

[Deckerd]

You can be TrekBBs Media and report here. We get tired of Squiggy lording it over us.

 

[T'Bonz]

Heck, no, I'm not working when I'm up there!

I wouldn't mind a meet-up, if you've time when we're up there, Squig. I know you'll be working and such, so if you can't, you can't. If we're not too exhausted, we'll be around after the launch as our ticket includes admission. I definitely will be checking the place out again. That is a bonus, getting to go around the place again.

You can come back and tell them how full of fai...er win, I am. Plus meet the poor bastard who is married to and puts up with me.

This was taken last time I was up there. RevdKathy was in from England and we took the extended tour. It was a space geek's delight. Bonzie in the rocket park.

 

[RevDMV]

WTG on getting tickets. I'd really like to take my sons to a launch. But being on the west coast the logistics are daunting.

I've been to couple of shuttle landings. (Dang can't find photos on laptop) They were fun, only detained once...

 

[Iasius]

Heck, no, I'm not working when I'm up there!

Not even a little twittering?

I hear that's what the young'uns do these days.

 

[T'Bonz]

I bore people enough via my blog/Facebook. I just don't see the need to Tweet as well.

Yeah, Rev, part of why I'm doing this now is that I live nearby (2 1/2 hour drive, anyhow.) I don't have to worry about airfare and we can drive back home later in the day after we explore the space center.

Once I move, it would be tougher, particularly since shuttles do get delayed.

 

[Mark de Vries]

Got on you for getting the tickets! I really hope there won't be a need for a delay.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

If:

You've never been to the visitors center.
-and-
It's open while you're there,

I can't reccomend the Saturn complex tour enough! The tour operator has sheltered and preserved for display one of the last complete Saturn V rockets.

It had languised outside for many years, and even subjected to the humiliation of bird nests.

She's got a good home now, and the experience of walking under the entire length of a frakkin' MOON ROCKET is quite... well... you just gotta.