STS-116 launch attendees

[rvastro]

Quick question: who will be attending the STS-116 launch? My wife and I along with our neighbors are planning on attending and viewing the launch from Spaceview Park in Titusville. Rocket and Oz--will 'yall be there?

 

[doownek]

I just got my TTL tickets yesterday. This will be my first launch. I haven't gotten any work done today from reading all this info! Thanks to everyone for providing information as informative as I have found here. Any advice for a newbie to launches?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[bpcooper]

Yea, make sure you stand there, arms crossed, watching and feeling it. :-D Don't watch your first launch through a viewfinder and definitely do not use binoculars.<br /><br />If you want to take photos, set up a tripod and click while you can still watch. I can help if you need advice. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

I should be there. It'll be good to see you again. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[doownek]

Thats pretty much what I plan to do. I might take a camcorder and set it on a tripod, but thats about it. Thanks for the offer. <br /><br />Now I need to dig out my ham radio and look up some frequencies! I can't wait!<br /><br />Mark

 

[bpcooper]

The only frequency left is the ham-repeater of NASA TV, which is 146.9400. You can follow the countdown on that.<br /><br />Just about all, if not all at this point, of the Cape and KSC frequencies have gone digital. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[1cooldaddyo]

Our trip got scrubbed. We're going to try again in March.

 

[ozspace]

No, won't make it this time, I would definitely be in the dog house. We are due to have our third child on the 19th. The first one came a couple of weeks early, the second just about on time.<br /><br />It will be a joyfull time, new baby arriving while Discovery's on orbit. Enjoy it, if you can be there or not!<br /><br />Hmmm <i> Orbit</i>, we are still working on names! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[lacuna]

i will be out there but i'm not sure where's the best place to go to view it and what time i should get out there to get a good spot. i was thinking about going to jetty park, but is there any better sites? <br /><br />i recently saw a rocket launch from USA two weeks ago and i felt that rumble.

 

[rubicondsrv]

I will be there if someone can tell me where to be. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rvastro]

I will PM you my cell phone number so we can meet up.

 

[bpcooper]

Lacuna, you do not want to go to Jetty Park. Titusville is the place for shuttle launches (11.1 miles) if you cannot get a causeway pass (which are sold out). From Jetty Park you will be unnecessarily far away (15 mi) and you cannot see the shuttle launch pad from there. Jetty Park is mainly good for Delta 2 launches like the one you probably saw.<br /><br />Info and directions for viewing the shuttle launch:<br /><br />http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[emerrill]

I liked Kennedy Point Park, which (according to google earth), is 11.7mi to pad b. It was a nice little park, restrooms, wifi at the hotel nextdoor, etc.<br />http://www.titusville.com/Page.asp?NavID=210<br /><br />Good sight line (of course the FSS and RSS are in the way, so you can only see the top of the tank) but its a good view throughout the launch.<br /><br /><br />Personally, this time, I got the grayline causeway viewing tickets <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

BPCooper:<br /><br />Do you have any tips on settings for shooting a night launch. Im going to be at the causeway, shooting with a D2X+18-200 3.5-5.6 and a D70s+70-300 4-5.6. I also have a 50 1.8 that i might use on one of them instead to get a nice wide shot, since ill have the second with a longer lense.<br /><br />Im planning on just framing up my views (probably one tight and one wide), and just using a intervalometer to snap shots every second or so (i need to do some buffer/vs time thinking).<br /><br />I was wondering what ISO/aperture/shutter speed combos work well for a night launch. Any general tips for getting some good shots (besides taking my filters off <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[lacuna]

thank you! i wish i had known about this before. when the tickets went on sale on that friday at 9am, i was ready to buy them and they were sold out by 2pm. <br /><br />hopefully it all works out and i can find a good view. <br /><br />what's the best time to arrive out there, to get a good view/parking?

 

[doownek]

We are doing the grayline thing too! Flying into Tampa late on Wed ( I have a meeting in Louisville that day), driving to our hotel in Orlando around 1 AM Thursday, then getting picked up by the greyline @ 10 AM. Our first launch! Looking forward to it! <br /><br />Any advice from anyone thats gone the greyline route?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[emerrill]

Assuming they only have one bus (right around Orlando), you must be the hotel just after ours (ish), we get picked up at 945<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

That is the best possible view from land. To do better you would need to be off shore in a boat, but then you would hold up the launch and the Coast Guard would arrest you. "<br /><br />Actually, the view from the causeway is head on and offers a full view of the shuttle. In addition, pad B from the press site shows most of the shuttle. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Emerrill, check your email. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[jschaef5]

sg, What happens during launch, like can anyone with a NASA civil servant badge get into KSC? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[canelaw99]

My parents and I will be out on the causeway viewing this one. Will be my 3rd launch and I can't wait for the night one - have never seen one of those <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[rvastro]

We were going to zip over tonight, but due to the weather my wife and I decided not to make the trip. We made plans weeks ago to head over and the weather decides to stop us. No launch stories to tell to my classes on Friday <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> Well maybe Monday or Tuesday if everything works out!<br />

 

[MeteorWayne]

0151 GMT <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

NP <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>