View Full Version : Shuttle launch news
A shuttle was just moved on Wednesday to the Vehicle Assembly Building so that the outside tiles can be fixed properly, on it's journey to the launch pad.
Proposed launch date is 01 July so anyone who's in Florida then might like to look out for it.
Paula D-S
12-05-2006, 17:27
I would love to see a launch but we're not over until the 12th.[msnsad]
Great any ideas roughly what time they do the launch as we arrive there on the 1st,would be great for us to see
Launches tend to be flexible, depending on the weather conditions so they could be cancelled and rescheduled for another date or they're sometimes very early in the morning or late at night but could be any time. Check nearer the time and KSC should have an update on the timing.
pieman790
12-05-2006, 18:26
We wanted to see the launch last May and nearly bought some tickets for a launch brunch but the launch was delayed many times. Dont think it went off until some time in July/August.
I have heard it is amazing especially if you can get within a couple of miles of the launch.
steph_goodrum
12-05-2006, 19:52
It is a fantastic sight and sound. Although as BLott says the launches are somewhat flexible it is not just down to the weather conditions but also the orbit of the International Space Station as well which restricts the launch windows to a very short space of time.
First time we went to see one it was cancelled at T-10 because of a thunderstorm nearby but not overhead but were lucky enough to see it go the next day. If it is cancelled one day and they can try the next the take off is usually something like 5-30 mins earlier for each day late.
The next one is scheduled for late august, i'm up for trying to get tickets, depending on if the july 1st mission goes all to plan.
steph_goodrum
13-05-2006, 00:12
Wilf
The usual plan is to try and get the second ready for launch 30 days after first in case an emergency rescue mission is needed, apparently so if it goes at the end of July we might get to another in late Aug/early Sept, with any luck.
Don't worry folks they have not decided on a date yet, the earliest it would be is July 1st. This is off of the KSC website:-
This launch was postponed to NO EARLIER THAN July 1 of 2006. A target date has not been set.
So it could be any time in July or later come to that based on previous launches.
abbeyvillas
13-05-2006, 00:51
Sounds as though we might just miss out again, we leave mid-August!
Last year due to several date changes we just missed out at KSC but caught a very distant glimpse from Miami.
Jeanette
Even though we didn't make it to KSC due to the sheer weight of traffic, we watched the launch last August from the road (all the traffic stopped to watch), and it was a fantastic atmosphere and gave us all goosebumps - amazing[msnsmile]
pieman790
13-05-2006, 09:46
We have been to Florida loads of times and are Launch Virgins but who knows, one day we may get to see it.
andrewandcarole
13-05-2006, 11:53
Would love to be there for a shuttle launch as we've never mnanaged to coincide dates. Did see a satellite launch - and wow - that was spectacular enough - the shuttle would just be the icing on the cake! Maybe one day......
Carole
farawayfan
14-05-2006, 01:31
Our first and, so far, only visit to Orlando was 17 years ago. We were only there for 6 days and didn't even know about KSC. One evening about half way through our trip, the motel owner told us about the launch the following morning which would be at 7am. We were so excited and got up really early and drove out there.
We had a brilliant view from the road and watched an amazing launch. The atmosphere was electric as it was the first launch following the Challenger disaster and you could actually hear the release of breath from the crowd as it successfully travelled up and out of sight. It was extremely moving and we wouldn't have missed it for the world - it was the highlight of our trip.
We're now heading back for our 2nd visit this June/July and it would be amazing if there was a launch while we're there.
Don't miss it if you have the opportunity.
SunLover
14-05-2006, 16:13
We've seen 3 launches in the past, and would recommend it to anyone.
It's a truly awe inspiring sight, and as others have said, the atmosphere is electric. [8D]
kaysvacationvilla
14-05-2006, 17:37
We saw our first launch in April and all I can say was that it was truly amazing!! It was not a shuttle, but still great. We went out to the Saturn v center(?name) and watched from the lawn. About 15 minutes before launch time they put the control center on speakers. You could hear all of the checks and the count down. Everybody in the crowd was counting down and it was very moving.
jackie greaves
14-05-2006, 21:04
We saw the same one as Kay in April, it was only a stalite but still very interesting. We watched from Cocoa Beach. It was light a very large rocket firework going up in the distance. Fantastic experience.