Best place to watch shuttle launch - my bucket list #1

[Irish Avenger]

Based on a suggestion, I'm posting here as well.
Hey Guys, I am seriously thinking about flying down to Florida in two weeks to see the shuttle launch. Some of you know I'm stage IV Colon Cancer survivor and I'm knocking off stuff on my bucket list. I've always wanted to see a shuttle launch and there's one on 11/16 and airfares are really low now. Seeing a shuttle fly is my #1 Bucket item and I don't have chemo that week!!!
My question - where do you go for the best view?
Do you need tickets to get close?
If it's a 2:28pm launch, how early should I get there?
Is it worth the trip?
Thanks, Terry

[Meyers]

Terry,

The shuttle launch can be seen from many miles away. I live about 80 miles away and can watch it out of my front yard. However, being up close and personal is something that is unbelivable. Take a look at a couple of these links to get an idea of what is available. That being said, you could pull your rental car off the side of the road and have a great show as well.

My only advice to you is...if you plan on coming down and you are able...plan a couple of days so that if the shuttle is delayed due to weather or maintenance issues you can still see it launch if it is delay 24-36 hours.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ke....html
http://spacelaunchinfo.com/faq.html
http://www.launchphotography.c....html

Best wishes and I hope you get to check #1 off your list!

[Castaway Johnny]

It's definitely worth the trip!!
Good luck with everything!

[Leesburg Laker]

I agree with Bryan. I watch it from my front yard, but one day I am going to get up close. I have been told there is a park in Cocoa called Satellite Park that is perfect for watching, but you have to get there 3 to 4 hours before launch as they count cars and close the park when they get full. From what I see on Orlando TV they have tailgate parties there on launch day, sometime it takes 3 or 4 parties ...John

[fmm1]

I can watch it from Lakeland, but you need to be there to see, hear, and feel it. Like Bryan said, make sure you plan a few days. That shuttle is more sensitive than a 15 year old girl. A bird could piss on it and it won't launch so you need to allow extra days just in case.

[Irish Avenger]

Thanks guys. This is great info. TG

[FloridaBassinNut]

I went to a night launch one time from very close to the pad. Not sure of how my friends got tickets, but it was an awesome experience. If you can get those tickets to watch from up close certainly take the opportunity. It's very different when you can feel as much as you hear.

[Irish Avenger]

I booked my flight! I'm flying Sunday morning and home on Wednesday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed for a Monday or Tuesday launch. I'm checking VRBO.com for some nightly condo deals.

I can't wait!!!

[spider1]

I have went and seen it go up twice and it is unbeliveable! Both times were night launches and it turns the night to day and you can feel the sound as well as hear it.

All the best!

[Irish Avenger]

I hope to get close enough to feel it.
If the shuttle doesn't go up the week of 11/16 it will then be moved to early December for a morning pre dawn launch.

[FloridaBassinNut]

How did the launch go? Did you manage to get close enough to feel it?

[Skinnyside]

Book a quided redfish trip in the Mosquito Lagoon on a launch day. If it goes off, you will have hopefully had some decent fishing until the launch, and then you get to see the launch itself. If it doesn't launch, at least you got a good day of redfishing in.

The bite kind of shuts down when the water and earth shakes.

[Stratos282]

Well how was it? Saw it here from Jax and it was awesome.

[ROBODOM]

Hope you got the chance to see it. There's only 5 more chances before the program is over unless they get it together.