Shuttle launch question

[Patrick425]

My family and I are going down to Orlando in late February. It looks like there is a shuttle launch scheduled for Feb 24th. Looking at the NASA web site it appears you can buy tickets, but the tickets are non-refundable if there is a cancellation (they are good for a later date or whenever the rescheduled launch is). I realize that you can probably see the launch without actually buying tickets, but I would imagine the "up close" view and feel of it is pretty awesome and I'm wondering of you can actually see the shuttle take off from the ground from "off-site" locations or if you just see it once it's a couple thousand feet in the air.

 

Has anyone ever witnessed one of these? Is it worth the risk of buying tickets? How close can you get without buying tickets and do you have any hints on some good free viewing locations? It supposed to go from launch pad 39A if that's any help.

[strawbossisevil]

I lived in Orlando last year. You can actually get closer to the launch without going into the park and paying for the tickets if you go down in the area where the cruise ships come in to Cape Canaveral. Be sure to get there early! Traffic for a launch is always ridiculous.

[lcbj68c]

As a Florida resident, I've done this a few times. I've done a few different locations as well. My most favorite experience had to have been STS-116. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-116. This particular launch, we viewed at Jetty Park. I want to say we paid $5 for our vehicle parking. While there was no direct view of the launch pad, I probably enjoyed this site the most as it was amazing to see everything go from pitch black to an absolute sunshine experience. All shuttle vehicles launch from #39A.

 

My personal opinion is that there is no difference in the viewing in absolutely having to see the launch pad vs not seeing the launch pad. A great number of people just park their vehicles along the interstate for tens of miles to witness this spectacle. I live on the west coast and can still see the vehicle and contrail from my house on clear days. The law and geography only allow you to get so close, so don't feel like you have to be at the minimum distance on the NASA Causeway (6.5mi) vs Titusville or Jetty Park (12mi). Your experience will be the same.

 

Traffic is a nightmare within the last two hours and if you are headed back to Orlando afterward, give yourself 2.5 hours to get back. Normally a 40 min trip. Unless of course, time isn't an issue and you do some of the space coast touristy stuff before heading back to Orlando.

 

As far as the tickets you were speaking of....the NASA Causeway...this is actually on Kennedy Space property. However, they started a lottery process for the last few flights and your opportunity I believe is past. http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx. I have no knowledge of whether secondary ticket sales are possible or authorized and transferable. I presume they are but buyer beware like anything else. One neat option is the pontoon boat rentals that take you to the minimum distance away allowed by law to watch unobstructed from the water. This is no cheap ticket but a once in a lifetime experience that you are already doing, so if that enhancement is worth it to you, by all means, its a vacation, right! Several companies advertise on spacecoast.craiglist.org

 

My personal opinion would be to seek out one of the coastal parks in Titusville or hit Jetty Park. I love this website and u may find it helpful, http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

 

STS-133 Launch is set for 4:50pm. Don't fret cancellation. You're going to get a good feel from the local media on the morning of whether or not weather will likely cooperate. February afternoons are not difficult to forecast, unlike April through August.

 

If you got any other FL questions, feel free to pick away.