Local Space Shuttle launch info please........
 

I was just wondering.......
I have tickets for the October STS 120 Discovery launch. The tickets will get me, my wife and our two kids (5 and 3) into the visitors complex to view the launch. They say it's 6 miles from the pad but we will not be able to see Discovery on the launch pad. We will be able to see it approx. 2 seconds after it lifts off. Is there anywhere better to view it? Any safety concers (worst case scenario) to think of with my kids there?
I saw Challenger go up once from Port Canaveral & that was awsome. I can't wait for this:D
Thanks!
Dave

Dave,
That's about as close as you can get without a VIP pass. It will be an awesome sight from where you are going to see it from.
Dean

We watched it from the shore of the Indian River a long time ago. I'm sure we were farther tahn six miles but it was still way cool. It's right up there with one of the "must see" things to do in your life.

You'll be able to see the shuttle on the pad just fine up until the ssme's light. Once the engines light, you'll lose sight of the vehicle because of the steam cloud from that angle. Once it gets a little altitude, you'll see it again. It is a pretty good spot to watch from. The only thing better would be a press site pass or VIP pass, both of which are hard to get.

Rene

We went to the night launch last year & watched from the Visitor Center. Very cool experience!
http://i23.tinypic.com/28arsxl.jpg

Dave,
We live in the area and I think the launch is now scheduled for Oct. 23rd. The viewing sight that you selected will be great and as previously mentioned, only a VIP pass would be better. Hope for good weather and enjoy.

Dail

are there any good places to view by boat, ie marinas?

i seen from titsville fla and coca beach

Even the VIP site isn't much closer. They even stop the tourists from getting within a mile or so if the shuttle is just siting on the pad. Once the shuttle roll-out starts the bus tour stops till after the launch.
If you try going by boat the security police will stop you from entering the lagoon and a specified area offshore. Pick up a nautical chart to see the restricted zones.

Best spot in the water is the Banana river, just south of the power lines, (North of the power lines is a FEDERAL NO BOAT ZONE!!) Here's a pic from a couple of years ago, from this location.
Dean

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5241

Shuttle already rolled out to pad 39A. Things SO FAR look like they are on target for the Oct 23rd launch. Keep a look out on www.nasaspaceflight.com for insider information and the www.floridatoday.com in the space section.

STS-120 Rollout and Pad Processing Latest information:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/for...view.asp?fid=2

Launch window information:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/for...sts=28&start=1

STS-120 on PAD 39A (09/30/2007)
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/i...07pd2636-m.jpg

Thanks for the info guys!!! Both my son & daughter (5 and 3) are jumping out of their skin & can't wait.
Now all we need is good weather & a few million electrical components to work in our favor

Wind was the gotcha for us but she finally went up on the second try two nights later. Traffic is a bear leaving. Take snacks & entertainment for the kiddos.

Yep, it will be something AWESOME for sure. If you translate the thrust the shuttle makes into HP, it turns out to be 37 MILLION HP!!!! Just keep after that nasaspaceflight.com site and check the status. It is actually really interesting following the shuttle launches throughout the processing flow. Some minor things have already come up, obviously didn't post pone the OCT 23rd launch window yet. BTW, interesting note for STS 120, Stowed on board with Discovery throughout the mission is the prop lightsaber used in the Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi, used by Mark Hamill.

More information on the lightsaber
http://www.floridatoday.com/floridat...s-shuttle.html

Complete mission details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-120

I was there today doing contract work. That place is huge, and man, seciurity is tight. Its about a 3-4 mile drive from where the news people watch to where the regular guests watch, I can't imagine that its that much of a difference. I think I am going to try to make the launch as well, it is on my list of things to see/do in my lifetime.

Well our trip is going to be a big gamble. We are supposed to fly out Monday night to Orlando & drive out to the hotel near Kennedy. Tuesdy launch (hopefully) and mess around at the visitors complex for the rest of the day. Wednesday a.m. hit Disney & then get back on a plane at 7p.m. If there was a 24 hour delay, we could just reverse the plan.
I'll be checking the news up till flight time on Monday. If anyone down there has better info or could call me between 4p.m. and 6:20 p.m. (when I'll be away from the computer on the way to the flight) if there is a substantial delay, I'd appreciate it. PM me & I'll send my cell#

Thanks! Dave

Dave,
I'll try to keep you updated.
Dean

Hey Dean, quick question:
I was looking at hotels in Titusville & someone mentioned that they wished they had stayed out on the beach instead because of traffic?? I found a few nice hotels on the beach (Doubletree, Hilton). Would it be a mistake staying at Cocoa Beach? We have tickets with a scheduled 9:00a.m. "arrival time" at the Kennedy visitor complex.
Thanks!!
Dave

Dave,
Yes it's better to stay at CB, because when the launch is over, most of the traffic will be headed west bound, back to the Orlando, while you'll be headed east. You'll still have leave early to be in time for the launch.
Hope this helos.
Dean

How I miss the old days to go watch a launch! You will need 600+mm lens and a tripod to get any sort of good pictures were they now allow you.

:( NASA Engineering and Safety Center are officially recommending three of Discovery's RCC panels or the (Reinforced-Carbon-Carbon) panels be replaced. This is possibly going to be a rollback for shuttle Discovery and launch window will slip from Oct 23rd to December. HOWEVER, if the data proves the shuttle is ok in current condition, they will still launch. Basically, in simple terms, if the NESC gets in way, it will be a BIG show stopper.

To read more official news:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5249

GO DISCOVERY!!!!!!!!, WE'RE BEHIND YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRR took place yesterday and has APPROVED the shuttle LAUNCH!!

DISCOVERY IS "GO" for a LAUNCH ON OCT. 23 LIFTOFF AT 11:38AM!!!!!!

LAUNCH DAY IS 5 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!!!!

EDT...........T+MM:SS...EVENT..................... ...................MPH (inertial)

11:38:20 AM...T+00:00...Launch
11:38:31 AM...T+00:11...Start roll maneuver..........................1,002
11:38:38 AM...T+00:18...End roll maneuver............................1,221
11:38:54 AM...T+00:34...Start throttle down (72%)....................1,425
11:39:09 AM...T+00:49...Start throttle up (104 5%)...................1,650
11:39:21 AM...T+01:01...Max Q (752 psf)..............................3,621
11:40:23 AM...T+02:03...SRB staging..................................3,750
11:40:33 AM...T+02:13...Start OMS assist (2:45 duration).............4,023

11:40:51 AM...T+02:31...2 engine TAL Moron (104 5%, 2s)..............4,091
11:40:57 AM...T+02:37...2 engine TAL Zaragoza (104 5%, 2s)...........4,296
11:41:07 AM...T+02:47...2 engine TAL Istres (104 5%, 2s).............5,523
11:42:12 AM...T+03:52...Negative return (KSC) (104 5%, 3s)...........7,296

11:43:15 AM...T+04:55...Press to ATO (104 5%, 2s, 160 u/s)...........8,183
11:43:43 AM...T+05:23...Droop Zaragoza (109%,0s).....................8,251
11:43:46 AM...T+05:26...1 engine OPS-3 Zaragoza (109%,0s,2eo simo)...9,001
11:44:07 AM...T+05:47...Roll to headsup..............................9,751
11:44:24 AM...T+06:04...1 engine TAL Zaragoza (104 5%,2s,2eo simo)...10,978
11:44:24 AM...T+06:04...Single engine TAL Moron (109%,0s,2eo seq)....11,183

11:44:57 AM...T+06:37...Press to MECO (104 5%, 2s, 160 u/s)..........11,387
11:44:57 AM...T+06:37...Single engine TAL Istres(109%,0s,2eo seq)....12,819
11:45:28 AM...T+07:08...1 engine press-to-MECO (104 5%, 2s, 567 u/s).13,638
11:45:42 AM...T+07:22...3g limiting..................................13,638
11:45:42 AM...T+07:22...Negative Moron (2@67%).......................14,865
11:46:02 AM...T+07:42...Last 2 eng pre-MECO TAL Zaragoza (67%).......14,865
11:46:02 AM...T+07:42...Negative Istres (2@67%)......................15,342
11:46:08 AM...T+07:48...Last 1 eng pre-MECO TAL Zaragoza (104 5%)....15,683
11:46:14 AM...T+07:54...23k................................ ..........15,683
11:46:14 AM...T+07:54...Last 3 eng pre-MECO TAL Zaragoza (67%).......17,252
11:46:39 AM...T+08:19...Last TAL Diego Garcia........................17,524
11:46:44 AM...T+08:24...MECO commanded...............................17,605
11:46:50 AM...T+08:30...Zero thrust..................................17,605

THROTTLE BUCKET......104.5%, 72%, 104.5%
MECO INCLINATION.....51.60 deg
MECO Ha/Hp...........136/36 statute miles
OMS-2 C/O Ha/Hp......198/143 statute miles