People going to Florida for STS-114 advice thread

[shuttle_rtf]

I thought I'd set up a thread - bumped if needed from time to time - for people who are going to head to KSC for the historic Return To Flight 1 launch of Commander Eileen Collins and her crew on STS-114 Shuttle Discovery.<br /><br />I'm sure some of you on here have been to launches before and I believe our esteemed USA source of knowledge Shuttle Guy might have seen a few too <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />I've been a follower of the Shuttles program since 1986 (then 14 years-old) - and everyday one can learn something new about these amazingly complex, powerful and highly identifiable vehicles.<br /><br />Now 33 - I'm finally coming over to see a launch, having never been to KSC.<br /><br />So, I'm sure there are a few more on here who are either going for the first time, or maybe have a pretty good idea of how, what and where advise for people coming over. That's what this thread's about!

 

[shuttle_rtf]

First question goes to me....it's in the rulebook <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Q) UK to Florida - best airport Orlando for being closest into the KSC/Cape part of Florida?

 

[najab]

><i> I believe our esteemed USA source of knowledge Shuttle Guy might have seen a few too...</i><p>Ironically, he's never seen a Shuttle launch!!! They get a <b>brief</b> glimpse at the vehicle as it clears the pad and that's it.</p>

 

[najab]

><i>Q) UK to Florida - best airport Orlando for being closest into the KSC/Cape part of Florida?</i><p>Speaking subject to correction, for ease-of-use you're best off going directly into MCO. There are other airports, but you're not going to get drect flights from the UK. You'd have to go into MIA and change, and from past experience, you want to avoid MIA if at all possible.</p>

 

[rvastro]

If you do not have passes to get on KSC, I found a couple of nice places in Titusville where you can watch the launch. The first is Spaceview Park and the second is a Walgreens Drug store parking lot! The only one of the tow that I have been to is the Walgreens--it is located directly west of the pads on the corner of Highway 50 and Washington Ave (US 1).

 

[Leovinus]

The best place I ever watched a launch from was the back parking lot of the Holiday Inn in Titusville. It's right across the river from the launch pads. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Link below kindly sorted out by Summoner (thanking you) <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I can see why it's a good viewing spot! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[summoner]

link<br /><br />Wish I was going!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:271px;background-color:#FFF;border:1pxsolid#999"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="height:35px"><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/htmlSticker1/language/www/US/MT/Three_Forks.gif" alt="" height="35" width="271" style="border:0px" /></div>

 

[marslauncher]

I am going <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I flew to the states wanting to see a Shuttle Launch soooo bad, but I flew over 2 days after Columbia well... you know...<br /><br />I cant wait<br /><br />John<br />

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

Since they moved the gate back on RT. 405. I'm thinking that the best place to watch if for the un-washed masses, like myself, is going to be on the 405 causway just before the drawbridge. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

<br />Where are you from MarsLauncher? <br /><br />I take it hotels are going to be an issue around this time of year, nevermind when there's a launch event. I know this launch has a lot more exposure, but what sort of crowds - around these official and non-official viewing areas turn up? <br /><br />If one watches the likes of STS-99 (Endeavour) then it looks like there's literally only a hundred people near the countdown clock. <br /><br />Anyone with any experiences of having a pass to view from the press area/countdown clock..or the amount of people who view from the areas noted above? <br /><br />I don't know if it'll help, but we're (I'm a journalist - who runs a media company) about to launch a space flight site dedicated to the Shuttles/CEV/NASA related-space vehicles. Sure, it won't be Spaceflight Now - but it's going to be of interest to Sky News in the UK - who we deal with on other content we cover. So we want to be as good as possible on adding to the mix of sites out there (that'll be another thread though). <br /><br />But for now, it's advise on hotels (book early?)

 

[najab]

><i>If one watches the likes of STS-99 (Endeavour) then it looks like there's literally only a hundred people near the countdown clock.</i><p>That's because passes to areas actually <b>on</b> KSC property are like gold.<p>><i>Anyone with any experiences of having a pass to view from the press area/countdown clock..or the amount of people who view from the areas noted above?</i><p>No experience here, but I can tell you that if you had hopes of getting one you should have applied last year or better still in 2003!!! It can take that long to process them and they are strictly first come-first served.<p>Your only hope of getting one at this late stage is to suck up to a senior NASA-KSC or USA employee - better get that bottle of 12 year old Scotch to S_G pronto!!!</p></p></p></p>

 

[Leovinus]

Whatever you do, don't get in your private boat and try to get a good viewing spot in the Atlantic downrange of the launch site. NASA frowns on such activities. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

>No experience here, but I can tell you that if you had hopes of getting one you should have applied last year or better still in 2003!!! It can take that long to process them and they are strictly first come-first served.<<br /><br />Totally understood..that's what I'm aiming at. Really do want to go to every Shuttle launch onwards - and aim for that in the years to come.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Funny you should say that. One of my mates did suggest a boat hire and watch a launch from the other side. I did note to him just how fast I'd have my arse handed to me for sailing into the downrange area <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

About a year ago I complained that I lost my good online map of the launchpads, thanks, SG and Dr Wayne for sending me theirs, BUT I JUST FOUND MY OLD ONE!!!!!!!<br />https://www.patrick.af.mil/heritage/LaFacility/Launchframeset.htm <br /><br />About where you can and can't go in a boat/plane during a launch, check here, and hit the link,<br /><br />"Notice to Mariners and Pilots:<br />Go to Launch Hazard Area Info before each launch<br />for important information."<br /><br />https://www.patrick.af.mil/launch.htm <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Launch now May 12 - from latest SG info.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

May 15 to June 3 window now (and a bump of this thread).<br /><br />From experience, what's the usual situation on these windows? Do they normally launch on the 15th (by example of STS-114) or is it usually in the middle of the window? I take it the aim is to go on the 15th?

 

[najab]

The aim is always to launch on the first day of the window. Assuming that there are no technical showstoppers between now and May 15 the main concern will be the weather. Given how much is riding on this mission, they <b>will</b> slip the launch if there's even the slightest chance that launch conditions violate mission rules.<p>From what I remember of Florida weather afternoon thunderstorms aren't as much of a problem in May as they are later in the year, but there's still a good chance that there'll be a storm in the area. Don't be suprised to see the launch scrubbed a couple of times. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /></p>

 

[lunatic133]

If the launch is scrubbed for weather reasons then how long can we expect it to be delayed for? I'm going but we can only stay until the 19th because the airlines don't love us

 

[najab]

Shuttle-guy is the best person to answer this, but based on past experience, if the delay is purely weather-related you can expect a 24-hour turn around for the first and second launch attempts. If it's delayed 3 times in a row (eg May 15th, 16th and 17th) then usually they'll do a 72-hour scrub (which would take you to the 21st).<p>The reason why you won't see a 4th back-to-back launch attempt is that (a) by then they will have run out of LOX/LH2 and will need to wait on a re-supply, and (b) to give the launch team a break! Remember, the launch countdown is a 3-day affair!</p>

 

[najab]

><i>I only remember that being done one time based on a second day of bad weather. The result: the next day was beautiful weather...</i><p>The date that day wasn't Jaurary 27th, 1986 by any chance?</p>

 

[najab]

Hmm...I thought I remembered that based on the forecast on the 26th, they didn't try to launch on the on the 27th, but it turned out the 27th would have been a good day to launch - better than the 28th anyway....

 

[saturn501]

Does anyone know if passes are being given out for this launch? My guess would be no, but before Columbia you could write for a pass, which let you park along the causeway. We have watched Saturn/Apollo and then shuttle launches from U.S. 1 (across from El Leoncito Mexican restaurant), along the main causeway, and from the VIP area (I like the last one best!).

 

[najab]

You're right, I'm wrong. I had the days backwards...the forecast on the 24th (for the 25th) called for bad weather, so they slipped the launch to the 26th. Turns out the 25th would have been a good day for the launch (light winds, no precip and temps in the high 40s).<p><i>I need to get some rest since I go back to work in 5 hours for a third shift on the console. Working a first shift Friday and a third Saturday and Sunday was easier when I was young.</i><p>This might come across as a stupid question, but what do you actually <b>do</b> when you're working TPE console? What's a typical shift (yeah right, "typical") like?</p></p>