Quest to see Shuttle Launch/Landing

[gawin]

Im wondering how you get to see a launch from the area with the large count down clock on it. Does anyone know who to contact for viewing a launch from this area.<br /><br />also i would love to see a shuttle landing. as my luck thier has been poor at best. the first shuttle to land a KSC I was out at Edwards. <br />Now that i live in Florida the last 2 landings have been un watchable from here. 1 didnt land sadly and the other landed at Edwards.<br /><br />Any Help for seeing the next launch other then from the highway or causeway??<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Gawin

 

[qso1]

You may want to contact the KSC public affairs office by calling the Visitor Information Center (VIC) and take it from there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

There is a field near the visiter center that I've watched the landings from, although you don't get to see the touchdown, it's still really cool! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

True.<br /><br />If he comes in on 15, the best place is by the side of the road to Playa Linda, about 2 or 3 miles past the causeway. I've never seen a landing from there, but flying over the area, that looks like the best place, and I think the security area has been relocated so you can get back there. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

You cannot access the refuge during shuttle operations.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

<font color="yellow">You cannot access the refuge during shuttle operations.</font><br /><br />I know that the gate has been removed, as well as the guard shack. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

The tickets sold out immediatelly apparently:<br /><br />http://www.collectspace.com/ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[jschaef5]

Yah that would be nice <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I am still not sure where I am going to be viewing it from. <br /><br />Wow, they already sold out, dang. I was going to look into getting a pass. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

Even if they put up a gate where the old one was, it's still as close as a non-badged can get to the approach end of rwy. 15. My guess is that it's about 2 miles away from the flight path. Still pretty close. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> That's where I'd go. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[baktothemoon]

When I saw Columbia's last launch I had a pretty good view point. I was standing across the water by Titusville. It was a long way away, I'm guessing almost five miles, but the view was unobstructed if you were on the shore. All you need is a decent pair of binoculars to see the pad in a good amount of detail, but otherwise it's still a decent view. I'm not local, so I don't know of any other good spots but that was good enough for me. Be prepared for lots of people if you are there. I was there almost two hours before launch and had a hard time finding a spot to park in. The place is packed. I know it's up in the nosebleeds but it was better than watching through a screen.

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

Actually that's about 10 miles away, but it's still one of the best spots. You can get a lot closer, but you won't be able to see it on the pad. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jschaef5]

A little under half of all the shuttle missions have landed at Edwards although more recently they have been more likely to land at Kennedy. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ozspace]

There is some good information like this:<br />Distances to Pads<br />=================<br /><br />viewing site-----------------Pad A (km)-Pad B (km)<br /><br />Press Site........................4.9.............5.5<br />Barge Turn Basin.............4.9.............5.5<br />VIP/Family Site.................6.2.............5.3<br />Static Test Road...............8.1...........10.1<br />NASA Causeway (west end).9.8.......11.7<br />NASA Causeway (mid point).10.6......12.6<br />NASA Causeway (east end)..11.4......13.6<br />KSC Visitor Center.................12.1......13.0<br />Astronaut Hall of Fame..........17.5.........17.5<br />closest point in Titusville........19.2.........18.1<br /><br />Go to this site: http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/guide.txt<br />

 

[bpcooper]

He is posting in km, thus the confusion. Titusville is 10-11 miles, correct. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[gawin]

Thanks for all the info.<br /><br />I must admit that the news of seeing a launch from the viewing area is almost impossable saddens me. NASA needs public support and public dollars but does not want to make watching the launch a public event.<br /><br />in the early 80's all we did was call our congressman or house rep and they would send you passes to watch a launch from the viewing area.<br /><br />thanks again to every one for thier help in seeing a launch<br /><br />

 

[baktothemoon]

I wonder why they don't have a complex like the visitor center that would allow people to view the launches.

 

[jschaef5]

gawin, althought you can't see if from the designated viewing area you can still see the launch from the surrounding area and should still be able to get a nice view. I plan to view it from somewhere along the shore area in Titusville, right across the river from KSC. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[vulture2]

Until the last few years, free car passes for the causeway viewing area were available to the general public. I thought that was more appropriate. It's the taxpayers' space program, they shouldn't have to pay to watch. But you can also apply for an internship or student program at KSC. That would get you a temporary badge, and a chance to watch from the VAB area, which is pretty close to the countdown clock.

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

<font color="yellow">I wonder why they don't have a complex like the visitor center that would allow people to view the launches.</font><br /><br />My guess is because of traffic jams. There are only 3 roads in, and traffic would be a mess. But I'm close enough to ride my bicycle! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[nacnud]

One road in <br />One road out<br />And one road for badged people<br /><br />Simple <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />