Kennedy Space centre

[TJB]

HI I am new to this[msnsmile2] forum and due to holiday in Crescent lakes in october, what is the best way to find out what days there are shuttle launches?

[wilfy]

try http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/s...e/mixfleet.htm this is the cape's launch schedule for the fore-seeable future. Next shuttle is "not before" Sept 14th 2004.

[PeteF]

You might also want to try http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/la...duleStatus.asp which also shows details of non NASA launches although nothing scheduled for October yet.

[chrisj]

Just checked and there is now a launch when we are there this year



Trouble is its due at 2:17AM


Dont suppose we will be able to see it from Crescent lakes will we ???? Or could we drive
somewhere nearer, any ideas

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

You can see launches from Crescent Lakes - we saw a shuttle go up from the car park at Wal-Mart by Medieval Times - we even took an interval in our shopping to pop outside and see it [msnsmile2].

[blott]

Yes, you should be able to see it from CL as long as it's not cloudy - we've watched shuttle launches from our home during the day. If it's one of those clear starry nights then you should be able to see it perfectly. We had the TV on at the same time so we knew when it had gone up and it took us about 5 seconds to get to our vantage point and, sure enough, there it was!

If you know which direction the pool deck of the house you're renting faces, then try and work out which way is east you should be OK. If all else fails, ask a local or neighbour as they should know which way you should be looking.

[DMC]

Seeing a Shuttle Luanch has always been an ambission of mine, they are very popular as you might expect and getting out to the coast can prove to be a problem.

There are organised trips but be careful, there is no certainty that you will see a launch, NASA cancel them at a moments notice, also check how close they will get you, most don't take you within 5 - 10 miles of the Luanch Site.

Many people get as close as they can by driving out to the coast and watching the Luanch from the beach, as you might expect Florida is rather flat although there are a few elevated areas which give you a view.

Please don't expect to arrive at the KSC and drive in on the day of a Luanch only a few VIP's get in usually employees friends and family etc.

I did get to see a Luanch as such in was back in 2002 when at 5.30 am I stood on the top floor of our Hotel on I'Drive and we watched this bright column of smoke sore into the early dawn sky, then after a few minutes this deep rumble of sound swept over us.

We wacthed for several minutes as the bright lights of the engines flicked as the Shuttle went into the dark morning sky.

We were over 40 miles away and it only lasted a few minutes but I have to say it was just fantastic to see.

[Mr G]

I was very lucky 2 years ago in October.We were at one of the water parks, Blizzard beach I think. I didn't even know a launch was scheduled, but it had been delayed. Over the tannoy came an anouncement and I went to the top of their highest slide. They counted down over the tannoy. It was amazing how everyone stopped and just waited. I eventually saw the shuttle going up through the cloud base. I must admit it was amazing watching it climb at such a speed. I would definitely like to see one close one year.I just hope they continue to sort out the techincal problems and commence launches again.

[SunLover]

We saw a night time launch when we were at the Magic Kingdom.

The problem was that the launch and the fireworks at MK went off within minutes of each other, so about halfway thru the fireworks someone shouted "there's the shuttle" and everyone spun around to see it, completely ignoring what was going on above Cinderella Castle.

[:0]

Having said that, we've seen both daytime and night time launches, and the night time ones are without doubt the most spectacular.

Not to be missed

[chrisj]

Thanks, Looks as though we might as well stay at our Villa as its an early morning
launch. Will have to work out the best place etc when we get there. Luckily its the
first week and so if it gets delayed we are there for another 2 and so might be lucky
to see it.