Shuttle Launch

[OneBadLT123]

Unfortunately I am unable to make it. Last minute schedule change forced me to work somebody's personal day. Dang reserve line!

Sigh.. Looks like May 14 for the next one. Maybe next time. This time I am going to put in for vacay. I hope you guys have fun. Post details!

 

[clr4theapch]

Absolutely beautiful launch this morning.. Lit up the sky and with the light unshore (easterly) winds the sound was really awesome even from 10 miles away....
Due to city contruction, I was unable to get close to the Berger King to park.. I usualy view launches from my back yard, I did manage to get close to the river .. not a cloud in the morning sky, no fog.. perfect, could watch the glow of the main engines all the way to the horizon before it left the view.. only a minute before main engine cutoff or MECO as it is called..

Hope some of you got a chance to see this in person.. it was the last time ( at this point ) to see a semi-night-time launch... the last 3 are daytime

 

[OneBadLT123]

Yeah I was looking at the schedule and saw the May 14th launch is at 230ish. I really wanted to get a chance to see a AM launch but oh well. One is better than nothing.

I woke up early to watch it on the NASA channel. Still not the same though, they always turn down the volume of the noise on launch.

I am not going to miss the next two though. Putting in for vacay for the May 14th and I got the July 29th (I think) off for vacay as well. I cant wait!

 

[clr4theapch]

Just keep in mine that these launch dates are never in stone.. many things can cause delays.. plus, the plans of the future launches might change based on political pressures, at least we hope so..many are looking to see the remaining launches spread out and a few added launches to close the gap until the next heavy lift vehicle is developed..

We will know more when Obammy comes here next week to explain his "renewed" vision for manned space.. non of us are holding our breath though..

 

[OneBadLT123]

So all is still in order for Friday. Jumpseating down on the 13th to hang out, then see the launch on the 14th (hopefully) then still be in town until Sunday for a nice little vacation.

*fingers crossed*

 

[clr4theapch]

As far as I know.. everything is running smoothly, of course we always have the weather to contend with .. keep an eye on the NASA web site..

 

[OneBadLT123]

So according to my research, Titusville seems like the place to be without having to fork over $1000 on causeway tickets off ebay, right? Any tips?

 

[clr4theapch]

Oh yea.. don't do that.. the views from the Causeways is ok.. the little vendors rape you there, your stuck in one-way traffic for hours and it is not much closer than in Titusville (about 9 miles verses 11) where you can get around for free.. Our entire river front is viewable, property owners will charge you to park you car there or you can walk a few blocks for free.. PLUS if the prevailing winds are of the ocean, then the sound is better in Titusville as well since we are west of KSC..

Good luck, hope you enjoy one of the last launches of the finest machine man has ever made..

If you go to the northeast side of the City, right next to the 3 very tall condos on the river, there is a place there called "Space-view park" it will be crowded, but the view is the best, they pipe in live NASA mission control communications..

I can go out to my back yard and see the launch from I-95..

 

[BigFellor]

So according to my research, Titusville seems like the place to be without having to fork over $1000 on causeway tickets off ebay, right? Any tips?

Take a look through this page, lots of good info. I'm going to try to get down to see the launch in Sept.

 

[OneBadLT123]

So yeah, the trip was a complete success. I got to watch the launch from Titusville plus stay a few days on Daytona Beach. So many years and I finally made it out to see a launch. It was lots of fun as we were next to people grilling, partying, and overall just having a good time. Lots of pride and respect by everybody when the Shuttle soared into the skies. Everybody was having a blast and I am definitely going to try to make the other 2 as well.

On top of that, we couldn't have asked for any better weather. It was just perfect. As was the sound!
Here are some pics of the launch. Please excuse my crappy photography skills...

http://img7.imageshack.us/i/img1175gr.jpg/
http://img33.imageshack.us/i/img1176j.jpg/
http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img1177yy.jpg/
http://img576.imageshack.us/i/img1178.jpg/
http://img25.imageshack.us/i/img1180w.jpg/
http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img1181j.jpg/
http://img35.imageshack.us/i/img1182r.jpg/
http://img218.imageshack.us/i/img1179j.jpg/
http://img80.imageshack.us/i/img1183k.jpg/

 

[clr4theapch]

Glad it worked out for you.. we have been vrey proud and it has been a true American Honor to have worked on these vehicles.. You might have been able to gain some sence of how painful the "early" retirement of the fleet is for us... No one will see this anymore unless congress really pushes to changes in the FY2011 buget currenly being debated..

Now is the time, to have you friends and relatives calltheir congressmen in supporting continuied flights of the shuttle program and get the heavy lift funded not the presidents current plan to castrate the manned space program..

 

[OneBadLT123]

So, the time is coming again and another trip is in order...

*fingers crossed*.... again. I got everything set up its just a matter of hoping the schedule does not change.

 

[OneBadLT123]

Cool, maybe we can meet up... have a cold one... Pm me

Yeah looks like it got changed to Nov. 3rd right now. Still able to make it just gotta jumpseat down