Shuttle launch viewing location???

[Terp737]

A friend of mine got me into the launch center to watch one a few years ago, but they ended up scratching the launch due to wx. I did get a tour of the vehicle assembly building that had a shuttle in it that had recently returned from a mission. Quite an experience, but bummed that I didn't get to see an actual launch. I'm in Mia for this one, so maybe I'll see something.

 

[FlyJordan]

Most amazing was seeing one right after sunset 450 nm due east of KSC while at FL390. It headed right over us screaming into orbit. The normally invisible shuttle exhaust plume was backlit against the stars as it climbed into sunlight.
All two normally jaded guys could say was "OMFG!"

Wish I could have been there, maybe I will be as lucky one day!

 

[Iceman07]

Does anyone know if NASA will open the causway for the launch?

(And, yes, I am too lazy to look it up myself, thank you very much)

 

[SammyG]

Which causeway do you speak of?

If you mean the NASA Causeway, then the answer is no.

 

[funky]

i'm in bradenton, fl -- problem is if i drive over and its scrubbed, its alot of driving back and forth for the next launch time.

i will probably just watch it from here -- i've seen delta launches clearly with a zoom camera/video. although the sound is what i crave i've only been to 1 launch, but that alone is making me consider making the trek over to the east coast tomorrow.

Anyone from the west coast of fla want some company in their trek over?

 

[FracCapt]

The roof of my house works well, come on over, no security required.

What town do you live in? Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow(will be on the west coast), but I may give you a shout for the next one....hopefully not another few years from now.

 

[cforst513]

what time is the launch scheduled for?

 

[Fly_Chick]

3:51 pm

 

[Flechas]

Hey Cfrost, you gonna be flying for the launch?

 

[cforst513]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4677495.stm

uhoh.... regardless if this is "routine", i would still be nervous to go up in that spaceship.

on another note, i wonder what kind of wake turbulence that sumbitch creates when hurtling out of the atmosphere at Mach a lot....

 

[cforst513]

nope, not flying, flechas. my parents just got in tonight and brought a buttload of furniture and stuff. i'll be hanging with them. plus, b/c of the the flight restrictions, epic won't let students fly w/out a CFI in the airplane, just to avoid hassles and screw-ups. some time this week, though, i want to be able to take my dad up and show him around. but as for tomorrow, i'll probably just be on the beach with my parents looking south for smoke trails. or are they chemtrails....? CONSPIRACY!!!

 

[Flechas]

nope, not flying, flechas. my parents just got in tonight and brought a buttload of furniture and stuff. i'll be hanging with them. plus, b/c of the the flight restrictions, epic won't let students fly w/out a CFI in the airplane, just to avoid hassles and screw-ups. some time this week, though, i want to be able to take my dad up and show him around. but as for tomorrow, i'll probably just be on the beach with my parents looking south for smoke trails. or are they chemtrails....? CONSPIRACY!!!

Go to either New Smyrna Beach or to the Ponce Inlet, you'll be able to get a good view of the launch.

 

[Bandit60]

Larger than normal TFR for tomorrows launch. I dont think i have ever seen it 40miles out from the surface to fl180.

 

[Everett Howe]

Last shuttle launch I saw was on final to 18L in MCO. Talk about a distraction... The whole cockpit was looking at the shuttle, good thing Nigel was coupled on the ILS...

 

[TheRaven]

I bet thats a pain for the Center controllers on launch day as well having a 30NM no fly zone right in the middle of the west coast of Florida!

Lat time I checked, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are located on the EAST COAST of FL.

I guess this is better than the American Super 80 FO who broadcast "folks, out the window on the left you can see the Johnson Space Center" while we were climbing out of MCO. When we arrived in BOS, I asked him how he got to Houston so quick and still made it into BOS on schedule.