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Anyone ever go to a shuttle launch?

The Green Monkey

The Green Monkey

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I just figured I'd check with everyone here to see if anyone has ever gone to a space shuttle launch. My wife and I are thinking of going up for the night launch (at ~3:30am) on 2/22.

I've been poking around online just a little bit to see how it all works, where we should/can go, etc., but there are so many queer logistical issues that I was hoping that someone could give me pointers on a good spot to go, what time we'd need to get there, what to bring, etc.

All of the official seats at Cape Canaveral through NASA are sold out except for their off-site location where the shuttle isn't visible until after liftoff. We'd obviously like to be able to see and hear as much as possible.

Thanks!
 
My sub was tied up across the bay from the launch pad for about 2 months. We saw two satellite launches, both at night. Awesome!
 
Never seen a launch and at this point in the program probably never will. But I have been fortunate to see numerous landings over the past 20+ years.

I'll be out at the Western Range Operations Control Center at Vandenberg AFB over the next few days and it will be interesting to see how they tie into a shuttle launch. The Western Range extends from the California Coast westward to the Indian Ocean.

If you get to go take lots of pics!


Danny
 
Night launches are great. You'll be able to see and hear it for quite a distance. (provided it launches on schedule)

We watched from a public park somewhere across the water, and we could see and hear it quite well. Unfortunately, it was years ago and I don't remember the specific location.
 
I was in Orlando in 1999 vacationing at Disney. There was a launch I saw, not up close, but still, it was very cool.
 
MaxNoodle said:
yep - back in 92...I lived in Jacksonville Fl and we drove down that morning...you have to stand across the bay but it was pretty awesome!
Click to expand...

agreed... across the bay was awesome - I think we were in Titusville? Sometime in the early 90's I saw one, and I still can see it in my head to this day. Quite the awesome sight to behold.
 
Night launches are incredible, when I was a kid we used to go out in the Atlantic on a boat and watch them. We could get a bit closer it seemed than on land, but it is visible from all around, even the gulf side...
 
I've never been to the acutal site in Cape Canaveral, but have watched numerous launches from the beach. Its preatty cool, and I always heard the launch on campus in Undergrad.
 
That's one thing I've always wanted to do, but never have had the opportunity to do. I'd love for my boy to see one. It would ignite something in him, I'm sure of it. We saw the space station a week or so ago and he went crazy. It was just a little light that streaked across the sky for a few seconds, but it lit him up for days.

Best of luck.
 
Photo geek chimming in....if it is by day...shoot normal...track the shuttle as it launches and shoot away, if it is a night launch, and you can see the pad (which is typically lit up brightly, use a tripod).
Rob
 
I went in August of '07 and saw a launch from the 9th floor of the condos that are on the water's edge across the bay from the Cape. My friend who owns the condo claims it is 3 miles from the pad. It was an awesome 3 minutes. Even from that distance you could hear and feel the roar.

launch8-8-07018.jpg
 
My step-dad was one of the top engineers over the tiles for the shuttle at Cape Canaveral, however that was many years ago. He and my Mom lived in Titusville, and I lived there with them for a few years and pretty much every summer in my late teens early twenties. Got to visit the center all the time and saw a number of the launches, which were absolutely awesome! Step Dad had a huge case in his house with tons of memorabilia including a small scale space shuttle made from one of the first tiles ever made. He used to bring me the tiles all the time, however I have no idea whatever happened to 'em.

I always watched either from their back yard or from right on the river. It's so cool to see it going up with no sound, then have the sound wave hit minutes later.
 
Go!! This summer I got the chance to watch a satellite go up. When it launched my jaw dropped! It was the coolest thing! It's truly amazing to see, I would definately suggest you go. It's something you will never forget!
 
We lived in Sharpes, FL for many years along river road on the Indian River. Thats located between Titusville and Cocoa. The Cape is actually not across a bay... rivers to be exact. There's the Indian River and the Banana River. All launches are quite a site...even satellite launches. I saw the first night shot of Apollo 17 back in 72. I remember it was delayed forever but those of us that stayed up was treated to quite a show. It was as if the sun had come up.

My younger brother has been working at the Cape as an electrical engineer for some 20+ years. Apparently he's someone of importance as every time I ask him what he actually does he tells me he changes light bulbs. lol

Yes, if you have a chance to witness a launch you will not regret it.
 
Thanks for all the stories and recommendations! I'm definitely interested in going, but was hoping that someone might be able to offer advice or insight on the logistics of it all--in particular, how long in advance of the launch should we be (and where?) to stake our claim?

THIS site seems to be fairly detailed, so barring any firsthand directions or advice, I think we'll try for a spot in Titusville along the river...
 
Don't get caught up too much on having to have the best seat in the house. There are plenty of places to view launches from. Any of the hotels in the area can give you tips on good viewing areas. Its really hard to have a bad seat.
 
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