Greyline launch Tickets?

[doownek]

We're planning on attending the launch later this week, on the greyline tour. This is our first launch, much less our first time with greyline. What should we expect? I heard somewhere that you cannot take a backpack, is this true? What should we do for food for the 12 hours? Any other advice?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[baktothemoon]

You talking about the shuttle launch on Thrusday? And what do you mean by, "food for the twelve hours"?

 

[bpcooper]

You will be taken to the NASA causeway, the closest public viewing site, between 8 and 8.5 miles from the pad depending on where on the causeway you are.<br /><br />You should be able to bring a small backpack with cameras and food and whatever you want, but it might be briefly searched at the visitors complex before you enter.<br /><br />You will be out on a strip of land with only toilets and maybe a small souvenir or snack shop. You should pack dinner. You may be able to eat at the visitors complex before going out to the causeway, but it is expensive.<br /><br />You should bring a towel if you want to sit down, too. But don't try to carry lawn chairs on the bus.<br /><br />Hope that helps. If you have any more questions just ask. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[doownek]

12 Hours - The bus picks us up at 10 AM!!!!<br /><br />Ben - Thanks for the info. On the website it did mention that you can bring "umbrella style chairs". Do you have any ideas what this means? Is this the chairs that fold up into a roughly 6 in by 6 inch by 30 in package?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

"On the website it did mention that you can bring "umbrella style chairs".<br /><br />I think they mean these type of chairs, which probably fold up to around those dimensions.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[ozspace]

My two tips<br /><br />1. TAKE BUG SPRAY!!!!!!<br />2. Enjoy the experience!<br /><br />Number 2 will definitely depend on number 1!<br /><br />Peter

 

[doownek]

Yeap, Thats the kind of chairs I have.<br /><br />Bug spray? Thanks so much for that info! I'm used to not having to worry about bugs in Dec, I didn't even think of it!<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[mblitch]

I don't have the money to do the official tours and prefer to make my own pace. I was looking at satellite photos and waterway maps and noticed some spoil islands in the banana river that seem to just mark the boundary of the restricted area on the waterways map. I was looking at the press release [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2006/release-20061201.txt] and it mentioned that 'restrictions' or security limits would be in place along the banana river, but it doesn't say what those restrictions might be. <br /><br />I was hoping to launch from the 528 causeway and paddle to one of the spoil islands so I could get some good shots. I'm hoping to set up a camera for a long exposure so I can capture the launch and as much of the arch as possible as well as some quick shots with another camera.<br /><br />Are there any recommended viewing spots? Never having been to any launch, I have no idea what kind of flight plan to expect if attempting a long exposure (2-3 minutes). Any recommendations for viewing locations? I can paddle anywhere or get there early enough if need be. I just cannot afford the $90 they want for close viewing tickets and don't mind putting in the effort to get a good spot.

 

[bpcooper]

In regards to viewing, Titusville is the best place and closer than where you can get even with your boat. The boaters limit line on the BAnana River is just north of 528 (less than a mile) where the telephone wires cross the river. <br /><br />Check the "STS-116 launch attendees" thread below this one:<br /><br />http://uplink.space.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=missions&Number=624926&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=<br /><br />If you want a time lapse streak shot, a boat might not be the best idea, though it sounds like it could be interesting!<br /><br />If you need any more info just ask. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[dreada5]

With some holidays left over from this year, I was planning on coming all the way from home in England to see my first shuttle launch. Would probably stayed at a hotel for a couple days and then gone and visit some family.<br /><br />Would have been fun. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Hope you guys enjoy it!

 

[canelaw99]

I have been to a couple of launches out on the causeway....<br /><br />As for chairs - you are allowed to take the camping/umbrella type chair (the ones that fold up into a carrying bag). My recommendation though is to put them in the bag with the legs at the top because most of the time security checks the legs and this expedites things.<br /><br />As for backpacks - the first launch (114), my hubby wasn't allowed to take a backpack, though at the last one (115), I saw some people with backpacks. I know the info I received from KSC says not to bring them, so I just take a regular tote bag type bag. <br /><br />As for food - for 114, there wasn't much out there, same with 116. However, for 115, they were cooking burgers, hot dogs, etc. out on the causeway so it was really nice. The buses going out to the causeway won't be leaving the complex until about 6:30pm, so I'm sure most people will grab a bite at the complex, but it's usually super crowded, so plan ahead <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />If you don't want to deal with carrying chairs, they do have some metal bleachers out there, but they are first come, first serve, so if you're on one of the later buses, you may not have much room....<br /><br />Hope that helps! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[doownek]

Yes, thanks! That really helps! So what will we be doing until the buses go out to the causeway? What is the complex you speak of?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[canelaw99]

At the visitor complex, there are IMAX movies, gift shops, the rocket garden, exhibits, etc. If you go to the website: kennedyspacecenter.com, you'll be able to read up on the complex and what there is to do there <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[doownek]

Ahh, ok, that makes sense now. For some reason I was figuring that the bus took us straight out to the site, and we had to sit there all day!!!!<br /><br />Opps!<br /><br />

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

"Be advised the food at the kSC Visitors Center is expensive."<br /><br />(OT)<br />It's not too cheap at the Moon Rock Cafe either, though it's tasty. Thats the cafe at CDSCC, where Jon Clarke and I will take you SG (or anyone else from here) when you come for a visit to Canberra <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br /> CDSCC site <br />(/OT) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>