![]() "It's just phenomenal."ĭespite the crowds, seeing the shuttle's blindingly bright flame tail and feeling the roar of the rocket's engines is an unforgettable experience. "It's like everybody's looking on their bucket list and going, 'Ooh, I haven't seen that yet,'" Varley said. Varley predicted that over a million people would turn out for their last chance to see a space shuttle blast off this summer. While near record crowds are expected for next week, the Atlantis mission will likely top even that. On June 28, the shuttle Atlantis is slated to launch to the International Space Station, capping off the space shuttle program's 30-year career. If you can't make it to Endeavour's STS-134 liftoff, NASA plans one more shuttle flight. If the weather isn't clear or a technical glitch arises, NASA will have to scrub the launch for the day and try again later. Bug spray and sunblock won't go amiss either.įinally, a handheld radio or scanner will allow you to tune in to NASA TV for countdown commentary to stay abreast of developments that could impact launch. Other must haves are a blanket or chair, snacks, a book, and games for your kids to play to while away the waiting hours. He also suggested bringing a tripod and setting up the shot so that the camera could fire away automatically while you bask in the scene. Ĭooper recommends trying to do some of both. In the final moments, many people weigh their desire to take pictures of the blastoff to capture the moment against their wish to see the launch through their own eyes. "I would go early in the morning and just plan to spend the day," said Robert Varley, executive director of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism. The largest crowds will likely show up a few hours before liftoff, while the most industrious will probably camp out overnight. If you have camera equipment, I would get there when the sun comes up." ![]() "For this one, probably get there in the morning. "I think it's going to require getting there earlier than usual," Cooper said, given the high-profile nature of this final launch for Endeavour, the penultimate launch of the space shuttle program. EDT (1947 GMT), folks should probably plan on arriving at public parks at least six to eight hours early to stake out a claim. With Endeavour's liftoff toward the International Space Station scheduled for April 29 at 3:47 p.m. Once you've decided where to go, you'll have to weigh rest and convenience against the necessity of heading out early for a primo location. To help you choose the perfect spot, Cooper's web site of launch viewing advice includes photos of shuttle launches from all the various options. Nearby Cocoa beach is also a popular location. But other than that there's no other place you can go where you can see the launch pad itself." "The view in my opinion is not as nice, because it's got telephone wires. "That's the second best place after Titusville," Cooper told. This spot is slightly farther (about 13 1/2 miles from Kennedy Space Center), but, as with Titusville, offers an unobstructed view of Endeavour's launch pad. "It has the best view - there's no comparison."Īnother good option is the Port Canaveral area, where cruise ships depart from. "Titusville is definitely the place to go," said Ben Cooper, a space photographer for NASA and other media outlets. Its numerous parks along the water, including Space View Park and Parrish Park (which is located on the causeway between Titusville and the space center) are top choices for shuttle watchers. ![]() The town of Titusville, about 12 miles across the Indian River from Kennedy Space Center, is a premiere spot. If you haven't already ordered one months in advance, forget about it.īut fear not, for fantastic views are easy to find – and free – throughout the space coast. Unfortunately, tickets for all three sites are long gone. NASA also sells tickets to secondary sites at its Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Center, and at the U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |