Tips on viewing a space shuttle launch? What is the best venue?

[Beausoir]

My family will be sailing back into Port Canaveral on the morning of a Shuttle Launch.

We can choose to stay overnight at Port Canaveral and view the launch, or drive up to MCO and fly home and skip the whole deal.

Is it worth it...for my family of 5 very young children, to try and find a place where we can view the shuttle launching?

[Aviation Pro]

1. Since most shuttle declinations are 28 degrees....

...New Smyrna Beach watching it arc across the sky is one of the best venues. However nothing beats this:



New Smyrna is on the left side of the pic.

[Beausoir]

3. Ouch! That's a close-shave.

New Smyrna....how do I get there from Port Canaveral?

[Aviation Pro]

4. North on 95, exit 244 east and over the south causeway....

...drive on the beach and watch the show.

[Beausoir]

7. OK, but I will be disembarking a cruise ship that morning at Port Canaveral.

Do those driving rules still apply?

I don't mean to sound stupid...I am just unfamiliar with the area.

[Aviation Pro]

10. Stay on the ship, it'll be a great venue....

...look north and east.

[Beausoir]

14. I can't stay on the ship. We have to disembark by 10am at the latest.

I would LOVE to stay on the boat...up high and watch the thing go. But it is not an option.

I do thank you for your advice.

[LastDemocratInSC]

11. Most shuttle launches are to 52 degrees but you won't notice the difference between 28 and 56

Most launches are to a 52 degree inclination but if you're close to Kennedy Space Center you want notice the difference between 28 and 52 degrees.

The only places where the higher inclination launch makes a difference in visibility are along the US east coast ... the shuttle is visible to more coastal viewers during 52 degree launches.

If you're near the launch site you won't be able to see a difference between one launch inclination and another, anyway.

The 52 degree inclination is due to the space station's orbit, by the way. It's likely that only one more 28 degree launch will be made ... to the Hubble Space Telescope.

[Aviation Pro]

12. Yep, that's right, my bad....

...old data will always get you. The Hubble payloads are 28 and the ISS is 52. 0 ones are the interesting ones.

[LastDemocratInSC]

13. A zero degree inclination launch has never been made from Florida for obvious reasons

... by any launch vehicle. What are you saying?

[Aviation Pro]

23. I believe for military payloads this restriction is waived...

...

[LastDemocratInSC]

25. The restriction has never been waived

There has never been a zero degree launch from Canaveral. The rotation of the planet would have the rocket and payload flying over the eastern US and Canada during the ascent to orbit. A launch failure would result in debris falling over heavily populated areas. I can find no evidence of a northward polar launch from Vandenberg. Polar launches from that site are always to the south-west, south, or slightly southeast.

[Aviation Pro]

27. I stand corrected....

...so how do they launch their polar orbit payloads?

[Captain Angry]

2. These things don't happen every day. I'd take the time.

I saw a launch in Cocoa Beach. It was amazing. To be so far away, and to see it so clearly. Once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

I actually flew to Florida just for the launch. (and to see my great Aunt, etc.)

[Beausoir]

5. I know. That's what my brothers keep telling me. This is a once in a lifetime chance,

I will be within 10 miles of a shuttle launch, with nothing else to do for 24 hours.

It really IS a once in a life time deal.

[Captain Angry]

9. Fewer and fewer people appreciate the spectacle.

No matter what someone's position is on the space program and how its budget could be used for other things, you have to marvel at the technological and engineering masterpiece.

I love the space program, which makes it that much better. :-)

My dad wanted to be an astronaut, and missed out due to grades. He ended up with 21 years flying for the USAF, but he's still an avid space fan.

It was passed down to me. I love it all.

I hope you can do it, and that it's not rescheduled.

[Aviation Pro]

6. I live here and I never, ever....

...miss a launch.

[AnnieBW]

8. Cocoa Beach

We attempted to see a launch from the beach at Cocoa Beach. The folks that live there are really friendly, and monitor the launch activities closely. Unfortunately, the buggers canceled the launch when we were there. :mad: But we had a great vantage point.

[flyarm]

15. alot of people park on the side of the road outside Cape KENNEDY BETWEEN

CAPE KENNEDY AND ORLANDO..BUT MORE TO THE EAST SIDE CLOSER TO CAPE KENNEDY..

do stay and let your kids see it..it is well worth it!!..but take water and snacks!!

fly

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

16. I used to watch the launches from a rooftop in Orlando

Great view, actually!

I've seen a couple from up close, though- can't beat that front row seat!

[Forkboy]

17. The launch pad provides a GREAT view,but it's a little warm.

;)

[nomatrix]

18. Anywhere off A1A

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=&city=Port%20Canaveral&state=FL&zipcode=&country=US&geodiff=1

Especially on the beach, the kids have castles to make while they wait and of course... if Ron Jon's Surf Shop is still there.
If you don't want sand all over you for the ride home there's a small park at the end of Banana River Dr. on Merritt Island if you're on your way to fly out of Orlando. Taking in a theme park after the cruise, maybe?

I used to be in reservations for the Big Red Boat~years ago.I miss that job!
They pioneered the Disney & Cruise vacations with the famous character tuck-ins at night. All the kids loved Tweety.
If they do something like that I recommend it.
Be sure to take some no drowse Dramamine especially with little ones. You'll have the feeling like your are still sailing after.


You might have a hard time getting a room on a launch date near the Cape so if you are planning it,
have a back up plan in case the launch gets canceled.
The Kennedy Space Center and the Imax movie is great, but you may have some tired kids after the cruise.

Here was my advice when I gave it

Hats & waterproof sunscreen high spf for baby skin, comfortable shoes & socks, motion sickness meds, the 24 hr. kind, no drowse and take it before you get on the boat or get a patch but it usually costs more.
You'll never even notice you took it, but if you don't and run into some rough currents you'll definitely notice it and by then it's too late. If you do have rough trip, go to bed. You'll sleep like a baby getting rocked to sleep. Drink cold bottled water, avoid
ice or water for all the reasons you know.
Book excursions in advance or as soon as they offer them on board. Eat early if it doesn't interfere with the kids activities. Be sure you do stuff for the BIG kids too!
If you are going to an Island keep and eye on the kids, it's not like the U.S. but if it's Disney's Island, keep and eye on the kids.
Make sure everyone has I.D. I can't stress that enough, proof you are their parents/guardians.
Get a safe deposit box on the ship if you have valuables. They have little
waterproof containers you can wear while snorkeling. That is a great thing to do. I could snorkel anytime but make sure the kids
have the right equipment that fits. They do rent that stuff as well. Suncreen your back. Wet wipes are always great.
Disposable cameras because the kids like to take pics and if they lose them no big deal.

Oh, trip cancellation insurance is the best investment. If something happens, someone gets sick, flight problems etc.

I hope you have a great time. Kids always go on overload, so don't stress if they blow a fuse, it happens all the time.

If you sit and people watch at the theme parks, you'll always see a parent saying

"I paid a fortune for this trip, now stop crying a have fun %&$*!" Wait, that was me!

Really, it happens all the time there's so much stimulation with all the people and new events.

Bon Voyage!

[Beausoir]

19. Yes, we are sailing on the Disney Magic. It's so wonderful.

I think the RonJon's idea is worth looking into. We could have some lunch, the kids could munch and play while we wait.
Thanks.

[jollyreaper2112]

20. when's the launch?

I see the next mission is supposed to be in June. Did they move a date up?

[RL3AO]

26. Still planned for June. 4 planned missions for 2007. June, August, October and December

[tenshi816]

21. Yes, by all means do it if you can.

You'll never, ever forget it.

The Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar in Port Canaveral is worth a visit too, if you have the time. Fun place, good with kids, and right next to the water (we saw a manatee just a couple of feet away while we were out on the dock). It's near the beach too.

Enjoy!

[rexcat]

22. Try driving Titusville to see the launch...

somewhere around US1 and SR50. You can see the Vehicular Assembly Building (VAB) from there. My wife is originally from Titusville and we have seen 4 shuttle launches over the years (one polar launch). It is well worth seeing a launch of any sort at KSC. I was stationed at Patrick AFB from 72-75 and saw the Apollo 17 launch at night. I was part of Medical Operations for manned space flights. The moon mission launches were much more spectacular than the shuttle launches but you won't have that reference. The shuttle launches are really good and worth the time. Your kids will enjoy the launch. The Delta rocket launches are also fun to watch. I have seen many of these rockets go up and on occasion have seen several destroyed seconds after launch because of some malfunction during launch.

The only problem with the launches are they can be delayed or scrubbed for another day. Keep this in mind.

[hootinholler]

24. I got lucky early in the program...

Long ago, the gubmint sent me to Port Canaveral for a meeting and I got to not only see a launch, but we were close enough to feel the launch 3 miles or so from the pad.

Definitely stay for it if you can make Cocoa Beach in time from Lauderdale.

-Hoot