I want to see the launch

[i_have_glasses]

I have decided to spontaneously go to Florida to see the launch of the shuttle. I plan to go down on the 12th and stay till the 20th. Hopefully it won’t get delayed. I went to Kennedy Space Center and found that the only tickets left are for seeing the launch from the astronaut hall of fame near the KSC.<br /><br />Has anyone seen a launch from this spot? If so, how was it?<br /><br />Is there any other way of getting tickets that will put me closer to the launch? Scalpers maybe? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Can't help on what it's like from the Hall of Fame, but well done for coming down to the launch!

 

[bpcooper]

Do NOT buy those tickets.<br /><br />Titusville is where you want to go. T-ville is 11 miles from the pad.<br /><br /> At the hall of fame you cannot see the launch pad. You won't see the shuttle until it it rises up a ways, and the hall of fame is about 12-13 miles from the pad (slightly farther).<br /><br />Stake out a spot along the river on US-1 anywhere in Titusville, and get there early. It's a beautiful clear view across the water.<br /><br />There are also some causeway tickets on ebay, search "STS-114" and "Space Shuttle Discovery". The causeway is the closest public viewing at 7 miles, but be prepared to bay those people on ebay a substantial profit (original price was 50.00 for a ticket). EDIT: Also, make sure you get the causeway passes and not just admission to the visitors complex where it won't be visible "until it clears the treeline." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

I am probably going to get hosed by a business trip to scenic Dahlgren, Virginia that week, but let me ask this.<br /><br />Is there a semi-conveniently located campground anywhere near there (Titusville)?<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

Thanks SG. I am hoping against hope here. This training I have to do was supposed to be done this week, but I developed an ear infection from heck last week, and I still am not completely over it, my left ear is still badly out of whack.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[henryhallam]

I'll be in Titusville for the September window... do you think it's likely that STS-121 will launch then? Likely enough to make it worth buying tickets now?

 

[hurricane4911]

They used to gve away causeway passes (I've been to three), but that stopped after 9/11<br /><br />You can get a pretty good view along US 1 in Titusville.<br /><br />Pads 39 A-B are at the northern end of the facility. That, plus they launch the shuttle northeasterly makes the barrier island, north of the Cape in New Smyrna, and Edgewater a good bet.<br /><br />

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>They used to gve away causeway passes (I've been to three), but that stopped after 9/11<br /><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Will the imputations (sp?) of this crime never stop?<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>