Posted: 11/11/2008 10:16:02 PM EDT
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At the last minute (earlier today) I considering planning on going to see the shuttle night launch this Friday but all the tickets are sold out for the KSC viewing area.
I've never been to see one in person and if I'm driving all the way I'd like to get as close as possible. Does anyone know if there are any other night launches planned before the 2010 shuttle retirement? Thanks in advance. |
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The easiest place to find a comprehensive list of CCAFS missions (plus a lot of other info) is: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp
Here's the current STS launch schedule (dates only so far). These came from the NASA website which is also kept updated pretty well: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html Updated –– November 11, 2008 - 1:55 p.m. EST
Legend: + Targeted For | * No Earlier Than (Tentative) | ** To Be Determined –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2008 Launches –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Date:Nov. 14 Mission: STS-126 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Launch Time: 7:55 p.m. EST Landing Date: Nov. 29 Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility Description: Space Shuttle Endeavour launching on assembly flight ULF2, will deliver a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the International Space Station. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2009 Launches –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Date: Feb. 12 + Mission: STS-119 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Discovery launching on assembly flight 15A, will deliver the fourth starboard truss segment to the International Space Station. Date: Under Review Mission: STS-125 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility Description: Space Shuttle Atlantis will fly seven astronauts into space for the fifth and final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. During the 11-day flight, the crew will repair and improve the observatory's capabilities. Date: May 15 + Mission: STS-127 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the exposed facility of Japan's Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station. Date: July 30 + Mission: STS-128 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Atlantis will use a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to carry experiment and storage racks to the International Space Station. Date: Oct. 15 + Mission: STS-129 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Discovery will deliver components including two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly and a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm to the International Space Station. Date: Dec. 10 + Mission: STS-130 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the final connecting node, Node 3, and the Cupola, a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the center that provides a 360-degree view around the International Space Station. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2010 Launches –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Date: Feb. 11 + Mission: STS-131 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Atlantis will carry a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with science racks that will be transferred to laboratories of the International Space Station. Date: April 8 + Mission: STS-132 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Discovery mission will carry an integrated cargo carrier to deliver maintenance and assembly hardware, including spare parts for space station systems. In addition, the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia, a Mini Research Module, will be permanently attached to the bottom port of the Zarya module. Date: May 31 + Mission: STS-133 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver critical spare components including antennas and gas tanks to the International Space Station. |
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Quoted: You won't get any closer than 5 miles with a "ticket". The Blast Danger Areas is 3 miles, the Press Site is at 4.At the last minute (earlier today) I considering planning on going to see the shuttle night launch this Friday but all the tickets are sold out for the KSC viewing area. I've never been to see one in person and if I'm driving all the way I'd like to get as close as possible. Does anyone know if there are any other night launches planned before the 2010 shuttle retirement? Thanks in advance. Having said that, drive on over and watch from Titusville along the Indian River (US-1). You'll get just as good a view. FB41 KSC worker that will unemployed soon now that obama is elected |
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^^ What he said. If you have a boat Mosquito Lagoon is the best spot to go. Whatever you do, DON'T think going to the beach will be a good viewing opportunity. You will be stuck in traffic for hours unless you plan on staying the night. Most of the hotels in the area are already sold out. A little tip if you do go...don't use binoculars for the launch. The flash is so bright you'll be seeing stars for a while.
I'm one of the lucky SOBs that get to see it nice and up close. |
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Enjoy the night launch. It's the last of the shuttle night launchs. Unless an unexpected mission comes up (highly unlikely), they will all be day launches.
Also better come see a launch if you haven'r yet and have been putting it off –– there aren't very many any more. |
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Cocoa pier is always nice, but get there early. My folks used to have a place right there, night launches are the best, but a Titan IV at night blows shuttles away!
they now live on Mel Beach, so it's a good view, just a lot farther away. can't go tonight, mama is sick, and my baby don't want to catch it! |
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Here with the Scouts doing the camping thing. The place is packed! I started another thread but closed it when I saw this one. So far the weather is great. Gotta get going about 1 hour before launch.
Edit to add: By far awe inspiring. I have felt earthquakes before and this equals it. The sound and vibrations left my kids with their mouths open. Gotta feel the pride in the air when you know your country can pull something like this off. |
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Got a decent view from Merritt Island tonight. Did anyone notice the fighter jets flying all over the sky? I counted at least 3, they were really high up there. Wind was blowing from the South though, so we couldn't hear the rumble.  There's more than just the fighter jets. I feel bad for the idiot who decides to take the shuttle down. The view was pretty good from the security zone in the Banana River. The sound was horrible due to the wind direction. We can usually see the soundwaves come across the river. |
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I'll bet that guy has the best seat in the house. |
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Quoted: As I understand it, there are four of them in the air at every launch and landing.I'll bet that guy has the best seat in the house.  |
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Cool pic  Is that a F18 ?I don't know if my sarcasm meter is broke or not but that is an F-22. I don't know why I was thinking RAPTOR and F18 ( brain fart ) . Is the F22 the bigger RAPTOR ? or do I have more gas ? F-18 Hornet/Super Hornet F-22 Raptor |
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Cool pic Is that a F18 ?I don't know if my sarcasm meter is broke or not but that is an F-22. I don't know why I was thinking RAPTOR and F18 ( brain fart ) . Is the F22 the bigger RAPTOR ? or do I have more gas ? F-18 Hornet/Super Hornet F-22 Raptor Damn I had that all forked up 
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