View Full Version : Date of Space Shuttle Launches
orlandobabe
25-02-2002, 19:54
Forgive me for putting them as a new topic-but I thought they might get buried under everything else-and it is something to pass onto guests-those lucky enough to be there.
We will miss out by one day!
Anyway for those lucky people...
Feb 28 6-48am
April 4 no time as yet
May 2nd ' '
July 11 ' '
Aug 1 ' '
Sept 6''
2003
Jan 16th
That's yer lot folks!
I'm soooooooooo disappointed!
Orlandobabe
markemma
26-02-2002, 17:02
We always miss it by a few days, sickening.
Last year we thought we had it sussed and was there for the launch, but guess what, it was cancelled and re-sheduled.
Emma
orlandobabe
26-02-2002, 17:34
We could go to a landing on May 13th (I think-don't quote me on that one as I haven't checked and relying on my feeble memory!)
Has anyone been to a landing? Is it worth making all that effort for?
Orlandobabe
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
26-02-2002, 17:55
We saw the landing last July from the front garden of our villa. I'd worked out what direction to look and could see it on it's descent accross Florida.
We then heard the sonic boom and went inside to watch the landing at the Space Center a couple of minutes later.
Very impressive and well worth us staying up (it was 11:35pm).
Saw the launch last December from the car park of Wal-Mart by Medieval Times too :).
John & Sarah
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
steph_goodrum
26-02-2002, 22:59
Not quite the same I know but I've stood in my back garden in Kent and seen the Space Station followed by the shuttle going round. After a phone call from my brother to check the weather conditions (he works at Kent uni in Cant., we are in Rochester) he was trying to decide if it was worth staying there or coming home to watch it. After detailed instructions from him as to where to look in the sky, saw both of them going round and then after he'd watched it from Canterbury, he came and said they were doing another circuit (as you do round the world in an hour!) as the weather had been to bad in Florida for the shuttle to land, so we got to watch it twice within a couple of hours. I'd still rather go to Florida to watch it.
Babblin Boo
My friends and I should have missed the December launch last year, but it was 6 days late, so we were very lucky and got to see it from the Hall of Fame.
Anyone know how many days in the "launch window" before they actually give up on the mission? Or don't they ever give up? Is the date that they give for the launch, just the 1st date that they intend to try?
Orlandobabe has posted a launch for 4th April, and if it is delayed by 3 days then my husband may actually get to see one at last!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
steph_goodrum
27-02-2002, 17:46
It just depends on th cicumstances Margot, if it is on the day of the launch the actual "launch window" can be anywhere from 5 mins to about 20. The weather at the projected time of the launch is obviously critical, but also, the orbit of whatever the shuttle is going to meet, (e.g. the International Space Station), it's a long way to go if they find they've missed the orbit of the station etc,.
The "net" date listed on the schedule means "no earlier than" so that is the first date they will be attempting to launch. We had passes for a launch last August (STS 107) that still hasn't gone yet. Because the missions are planned so far in advance, the payloads may not be ready by the time specified so they'll slip until ready.
We went to see the launch of a rocket in 1997 (can't remember what kind) which was carrying the "Cassini" probe to Saturn, passing by one of it's moon Titan to collect data and then landing (all being well) on Saturn. As I say it was launched in 1997, is scheduled to arrive in 2004 - 7 years later and if all goes according to plan they hope the batteries wil last for 15 MINS to send back data, even that time may be shorter now. Just think waht we could do with the money that must have cost.
Nothing to do with your question Margot, just thought you might find it amusing.
Babblin Boo
We were hoping to cathch the launch last December and actually went out to the coast to watch it. We were advised to go to Titusville and so we did. We hung round the coast for a while and then found the launch had been cancelled. We tried again the next day after checking on the radio and agin made it out to Titusville and again it got cancelled. By this time we had given up hope of seeing it. On the day it actually took off we were scheduled to be at Epcot and Magic Kingdom - so we did not make it to Titusville. Whilst we were on the monorail from MK to EPC a young girl pointed to the sky and asked her mom what that bright light was in the sky. It was then we realised that it was the shuttle. So we missed it after all that. What a shame! Maybe next time we will be lucky.
My son is expecting to see it Tomorrow - that is if it is still on schedule as he advised us that the weather this week has been very bad with heavy rain since Saturday.
Rodders
carole7007
28-02-2002, 02:19
We saw the launch last Easter from the plane bringing us back to the UK.
It was sensational to see it zooming past the window of the plane, we were lucky we were on the right side of the plane for once, with 3 window seats between us so we had an excellent view.
For the last 6 years when we have been over we have either missed it by a views days before we arrive or it goes the day or so after we have left.
It really made a special holiday even more so !!
Carole & Keith
markemma
02-03-2002, 01:36
We are also hoping that the April 4th will be delayed so we may be able to catch it.
Emma
I've just booked my tickets for the launch. Two tickets cost me $30 but I then had to pay $33 to have them delivered here. Still, I reckon it will be worth it. Hope it doesn't get delayed too long, it needs to go up before 13th for me to be able to use the tickets. I saw Atlantis on the launch pad 2 years ago, it went up 2 days after we went home so it will be great to see it actually lift off this time.
Jacqui
Last December, on the plane out to Orlando the Brittania pilot recommended that we viewed the launch from the bridge at Titusville. Apparently he always goes there and gets to see everything. He managed to get there in December as well. Unfortunately we couldn't find it, so this time, if we are lucky and the shuttle hasn't already gone, we'll do a recky and try to see how we can get to the bridge.
Steph, is it coming back or just going on into infinity??
Edited by - Margot on 02/03/2002 11:07:58
orlandobabe
03-03-2002, 23:38
Margot -follow the road to Dayton and turn off for Titusville. Set out early as we were well caught in a jam. We naturally ignored the turnings for Titusville-but just when we were in sight of the Centre-we were turned away as we didn't have a ticket and ended up there anyway.
We parked outside the Holiday Inn on the right-headed to the back of the hotel and had a splendid view. You are right on the St John River and can watch the pelicans swoop and the odd manatee come up for air while you wait!
Orlandobabe
steph_goodrum
04-03-2002, 02:04
Margot
No that's it when the batteries run out, it'll just stay there or burn up or whatever things do on Saturn.
Babblin Boo
This is the most recent schedule for Kennedy Space Centre. We are going to be at our villa in August, so looks like we may see a launch and a landing!
Atlantis
4th April 2002
15th April 2002 - landing
Endeavour
31st May 2002
12th June 2002 - landing
Columbia
11th July 2002
27th July 2002 - landing
Atlantis
15th August 2002
25th August 2002 - landing
Endeavour
19th September 2002
29th September 2002 - landing
Atlantis
16th January 2003
27th January 2003 - landing
Endeavour
10th April 2003
20th April 2003 - landing
Atlantis
30th May 2003
9th June 2003 - landing
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Steve and Sandra
Just got back from Florida and finally saw Atlantis go up. An awesome sight but not one I'd do again by buying a ticket to the viewing sight. Don't get me wrong, it's not the cost it's the time involved. You have to be at Kennedy Space centre by 11.00 am then 'hang around' until 14.00 when you get on the buses that take you over to the viewing site (6 miles from the launch pad) then you have another 2 or 3 hours wait until the launch. Well worth watching though.
jacqui
We're going in August, Porky. In that time there is a launch and landing. Just hubby and I and 11 year old son, rest of family have gained 'independence'!!
Should we buy tickets for the launch, I don't particularly fancy hanging around for hours, or is there a better place to view. <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
Steve and Sandra
steph_goodrum
17-04-2002, 11:43
Steve and Sandra
www.ksc.nasa.gov gives you a list of suitable viewing sites, wherever you view it from you will need to get there a couple of hours before really to allow time for finding space, do what we did, pack up a picnic, put some board games in the car, (swingball if you have one) and enjoy a relaxing afternoon out (Jetty park is nice although you won't see the shuttle on the launchpad, there is an RV park nearby so they are geared up with cafe, toilets etc. Surprising how quickly the time went,plenty of people started talking when they heard our accent for some strange reason, and we even went on 2 consecutive days as the fist laucnch was cancelled at T-2, luckily went off 2nd day. We went from the viewing area at Cape Canaveral but you had to apply for tickets, they were free, , but this was pre-sept 11th. the website will tell you all the ways you can see it though.
Babblin Boo
orlandobabe
17-04-2002, 13:27
If you go to Paul's smoke house in Titusville it is directly opposite the launch pad and you can have a meal and go onto the verandah when it is time for the actual launch. Just follow the signs into Titusvilla and it is on the right hand side
.
Orlandobabe
Thanks Steph and OrlandoBabe - both idea sound good. Perhaps if launch delayed will get to do both. Just didn't fancy the idea of dragging my 11 year old around if we have to wait for hours, if you know what I mean!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Steve and Sandra
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
18-04-2002, 07:20
The latest mission is due to land this Friday sometime so we are hoping we may see it pass our villa on it's way into Kennedy Space Center.
ANyone know what time it is supposed to land at?
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
steph_goodrum
19-04-2002, 00:21
John
Next Shuttle Landing:
Atlantis, STS-110
April 19, 12:26 p.m. EDT
www.ksc.nasa.gov
is the site if you want to check tomorrow to see latest details.
Babblin Boo
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
19-04-2002, 01:26
Excellent. Thanks STeph.
We'll be looking out and at the least should hear the sonic boom.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
19-04-2002, 23:41
We didn't see the Shuttle landing but heard the double sonic boom as it passed overhead Kissimmee en route to the Space Center.
Does anyone know how, if when it has passed over Orlando and still going supersonic, how does is slow down enough to land at KSC (as a pilot I would imagine it would land at no more than around 200mph and probably less).
I recall seeing that the final descent is very steep so how does it bleed off speed at the last minute (effectively slowing down from supersonic) to landing within 2 minutss? Normally you would make your descent more shallow, with little or no power in order to slow down quickly (or at least you would in a convetional aircraft).
Anyone any idea as it is something I've not managed to work out?
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
steph_goodrum
20-04-2002, 02:05
Hi John
Missed out again eh? Michelles friend who was over in Florida with the Army cadets, saw the launch the other day.
According to my brother, he thinks that the plane was probably subsonic by the time it got to Kissimme and you heard the boom coming from much further away. He did explain about the landing but I can't remember the explanation, I'll get him to e-mail it to me. He works in the Space sciences lab as Kent University so he's my useful source of info for anything like this.
Babblin Boo
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
20-04-2002, 02:26
That would be interesting to see Steph. We did see the shuttle coming over Crescent Lakes last July when it was coming into the KSC.
I'm not sure about your comments on the sonic boom though as the shockwaves from a supersonic craft form a cone starting at the shuttle's nose and coming off the back or the shuttle (guess who got A level Physics :)). You would thus only hear the boom after the shuttle has gone past.
This also happens with Concorde which is why they don't let is go supersonic until it is off the coast and over the Atlantic.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
I'm glad Concorde doesn't go supersonic earlier in it's flight, it makes enough noise as it is when it flies over my garden everyday. Must say, I did quite miss it when it wasn't allowed to fly, had to keep checking my watch in the morning to see if it was time for elevenses. Now all I have to do is listen!!
Talking about all those sonic booms has made me feel nostalgic and hanker for the sounds of some good old English electric Lightnings flying over. What a damn shame they are no longer allowed to fly in this country, criminal I call it.
Jacqui
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
20-04-2002, 04:17
I know what you mean about the Lightnings Jacqui. Have you seen the ones that now fly in Cape Town - I'd LOVE to go there and see all those old fighters that you can't see airbourne anywhere else.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
No I haven't seen them but I know there's some guy who owns a couple of those and some hunters and you can get a flight in them. Heaven, but I'm afraid I'd be very sick if I went in one. I have sat in a few when they've been on the ground though, I've got a dad who would always take me across the airfield with him when I asked, he was very handy to have!
I have a found a place on the internet that's all to do with lightnings (well lots of places really) and even one where you can buy a share in one. Couldn't persuade the children to buy me one so I had to put up with my model and my picture.
Think I'll go looking for Vulcan sites next as they're my next favourite aircraft after lightnings.
Jacqui
I am planning on going to the launch scheduled for 30th May...the NASA website gives a lauch time of 4pm-8pm. This is going to be the first day of our holiday and we aren't landing until 2pm. Does anyone know if a more specific time will be given at a later date. Also, will I have any chance of getting to Titusville from Sanford Airport by 4pm? ie will there be loads of queues on this road?
paul
steph_goodrum
17-05-2002, 20:02
Paul
I do't know if Sanford is the same as Orlando at the moment but guests have said it has taken approx 2 hours from landing to collecting their car so you'd be lucky to make 4 oclock, might just do 8.
John
I think that is what I was saying, very badly, that when you see the shuttle, the boom that you hear is from much further away. My brothers the one with the BSc in Physics, I dropped it at 15 'cos I found it so boring. He spends all day with an accelerator, did have a gas gun but thats just been shipped off to the OU at Milton Keynes, working out the effects particles in space will have on shuttles, rockets , the earth etc, and when he's not at work he's at every airshow he can get to. And just to prove how really boring he went to see Star Wars 2 at midnight on thursday, still he's only 43 today, when he grows up maybe he'll find something interesting to do!
Babblin Boo