USA Trip (Inclusive of NASA-KSC-Shuttle)

[Spanrz]

Well, the Mrs and I are off to the USA in late-ish Jan to Mid Feb, for 3 weeks of solid touring.
Trip was booked on Sunday.
Visiting Family and Friends in NY, Florida, New Orleans and Wichita-Kansas.

However, the Florida trip is based solely on the Feb 4th Shuttle launch. We (my doing :D) have carefully arranged a dedicated trip for 6 days in the Cape area.
We'll be landing in Orlando, driving to a hotel around Titusville and camping there for 6 odd days.
If the Shuttle get's delayed, which we've allowed for, we'll be off doing other stuff, maybe Disney, definately a tour of the Cape and NASA Visitor Cente. We also have a plan to attack Tampa, but that's an if all goes well.

We have looked at budget motels, but the reviews are putting us off (bed bugs, not clean, only a 1 night stay, etc etc).
We have our sights set on just on the northwest side of Titusville for a motel.

Has anyone else been to the Cape? They've changed a lot of the processes recently for the Shuttle Launch Passes (tickets for the up and close views).
Anyone done this in recent times?
Just would like to here some feedback on the "going's on" during a Shuttle Launch.

This is a "bucket list" item to me.;)

[picklesrules]

wow sounds like your gonna have an awesome time, my bucket list is inclusive of seeing an Ares 1 lunch if they ever they ever build the bloody thing lol

[Moon]

will this be the last launch? i've always dreamed of seeing it.. looks like i've missed my chance.

[badchap]

hiya Brett - well now :)

I managed to witness the STS 125 launch back in May of this year. Viewed it from NASA causeway, absolutely fantastic and incredibly exciting.. I'm trying hard to be happy and enthusiastic for you, but I'm busy fighting off feelings of near overwhelming envy !!

Now I did arrange our visit to the states around a hopeful launch date, knowing that the general advice is ~not~ to plan your holiday around a launch..I'll give you the links to my most helpful websites for you to keep well informed of mission status.
We were at Disney World for 10 days all up, and although I initially planned to have about a week after the initial target date to allow for delays, as it turned out, we would only have a 3 day window with that particular mission..if Atlantis had not gone off within that 3 days, it would have been stood down until about 2 weeks or so later (from memory) - well out of our time in Florida.. but all went well on the day and after much other troubles and last minute glitches (that I'll tell you about ) we saw it launch.

Back with some links soon.

[badchap]

I'm posting a few links that were helpful to me.. apologies in advance if you're already familiar with them, but perhaps for the benefit of any others who may be considering a similar adventure, you might bear with me..

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/event-sign-up.aspx


http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx



http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html (http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html)


http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/ (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/)


http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/)

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html


http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/)


http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html)

First link - to sign up with KSC so you recieve email updates on all launches, and notification of when launch tickets are going to be on sale.. they usually go on sale about 6 weeks prior to a launch, and the causeway tickets usually sell out in about 2 minutes.. followed by ' dine with an astronaut' + causeway tickets (so just go for the latter if you're going direct through NASA , IMHO, you have an extra couple of minutes that way)
Tickets to view from the Visitors Centre are a bit slower to sell out - a few days from what I gather from following it) as you do not see the shuttle on the launch pad, but can only see it once it has lifted off and has cleared a line of trees.. however, I believe there are tv screens around to compensate, and if travelling with young children, there is lots to look at within the centre to keep them amused whilst waiting for the clock to restart after that final 9 minute hold..

You must read all about their conditions of sale of launch tickets, but also, on the second link about launch viewing tickets, you'll notice over on the right of that page, two bus companies named.. Central Florida Tours, and Greyline/Gator tours - you are also able to purchase tickets through these 2 coach companies; they are more expensive than the direct NASA tickets, but they include of course, transport to and from the space centre - so saves you hiring a car if you preferred not to do that.. They have designated pick up points that you have to be at though.

[matt]

Sounds great. Hope you have a terrific time, Brett:thumbsup:

[badchap]

The 3rd link, the NASA launch schedule, can change from time to time, and whatever if filled in in red is the latest modification.

The nasa space flight website is probably about the best resource I found, the home page has latest news articles, but if you go to the forum, and scroll down to find the NASA shuttle specific forum, you'll find a wealth of information that is hot off the press..
As far as I can make out, this is run by guys who write the press releases, and their forums are frequented by not only space nuts and enthusiasts from around the world, but also the padrats and engineer types who are there - lots of great expertise there..

NB: Thanks to that lot, I managed to quickly change our flight dates and hotel bookings as soon as there was a whisper about bringing the Atlantis launch forward one day..that news did not appear on the NASA website for a further 3 days.

[badchap]

Ben Cooper's 'launch photography' website was very helpful as well- lots of info about viewing a launch from both NASA and also some off site viewing locations.. scroll down to view photos from various locations and at various 'zoomed in' to 'as the eye sees it" type photos and some videos.

[badchap]

Space flight Now' home page and also the launch schedule page was fairly good, but for 'my' launch , IIRC, I found that their posted dates more of a guide than something to plan to - but still a great resource, and Bill Harwood ?? ( I think his name is ??) is great to read his reports, and pretty spot on too.

[badchap]

nah - there'll still be another 4 after the Feb launch.

There'll still be other different rocket launches to see after the shuttle winds up.. just not manned launches for .... well, for a 'while'.

[badchap]

I'll say now, that we went through Gatortours to get causeway tickets - and whilst we did manage to get out there and see the launch, we were NOT happy with that lot at all - they seemingly overbooked or gave away our tickets to some bigwigs or something, even though I confirmed and reconfirmed several times beforehand.. we got to Kennedy and had to make a fuss to get out onto the causeway itself..but we did it eventually.. left a bad taste in the mouth.
The tickets you get are a 2 day pass to the space centre, so you go back another day to wander around the KSC itself..
To be fair, this bus company did go some ways to make it up to us as we got free transport and free "NASA up Close" tickets for our second day visit, but still...not impressed with them..
Don't know anything about the other bus tour company..

[Kal]

I was there just on one year ago. I didn't see a launch, but I did get to see both shuttles on the launchpads preparing for the (to be scrapped) hubble mission, which was rescheduled. I was there just for a few hours, so I did the basic KSC visitor complex admission.

[h0ughy]

man you are a lucky bloke. Enjoy and make sure you take some good photos

[Spanrz]

Thanks badchap......:thumbsup: Excellent links. Great info...

The Mrs. has done some homework, but these are invaluable links.
The causeway tix are the key ones I want. I won't be disheartened if I don't get them, but I'll be hitting the website asap as they go on sale.

We actually added 1 extra day to the itinerary, due to my words of "just one more day, pretty please, 24 hours can make or break it".
We have about 6-7 days there, but we leave late in the arvo of the 7th day, so we might have an extra few hours again to play with "just in case".

If it doesn't go up, I'll be happy that I seen it in the flesh though, but still not as good as that liftoff.. (andrew)

David, yeah "lucky" indeed, as the Mrs is financing the trip. I have to be a good boy, for a while now :lol:
Photo's, hahaha, batteries won't be able to keep up, mate......

The problem, that I am sort of worried about, is that we fly from Albany NY to Orlando (via Atlanta) in the snowy winter time on Feb 2nd. Just hope we don't get a Nor'easter at that very hour we take off. We can delay a day, but that day was to "get to know" the Cape area before the launch.
I've been doing some homework on youtube, and watching snowy days on roads in the area we will be in, omg...scary and fun at the same time.

[cohiba]

I was there in Febuary took the whole family. KSC is the best day out you will have its a magic place, and if you get to see a launch its a bonus, you will not be dissapointed

[PCH]

I once saw one of the Apollo rockets take off from miles out at sea as we were coming into the gulf of mexico on an ocean going merchant ship. It was an awesome sight, seen through dark skies, we could clearly see the streak sail way up into the sky. We didn't really appreciate what it was at the time as you tended to lose track of world happenings at sea in those pre-internet days.

Love to be getting a ringside seat at a shuttle launch though. It would be awesome

[Spanrz]

Well, it's all getting better now as time goes on.

The Feb 4th launch is now "targeted" for Feb 4th, where as a few weeks ago, it was a solid date.
The reason why it's now a classified as a movable date as there is rocket going up 1 day before STS-130..
The Solar Dynamics Observatory is going up.

We arrive in Orlando/Cape area on the 2nd, so if the Shuttle gets delayed / doesn't go up, atleast we get to see a rocket go up.

Oh boy.... :D

[stephenb]

You lucky bugger, Brett (and Mrs. Brett) . Look forward to lots of pics...

[dalemadison]

Brett
Worked down at Cape Canaveral in the early 80s and woked STS 3 to the Challenger. If you are looking for a better selection of hotels/motels try either Cocoa Beach (more touristy) or down in Melbourne (a bigger place). Both would be better options than Titusville.
Dale

[Spanrz]

Thanks for the info Dale. :)

My wife and I, both debated that heavily.
Some of motels were well, ummm, not so good.
It got very close to just booking a hotel at Orlando (even Disney) or Cocoa Beach. But it's the drive time that was the major factor.

"If" we get the tickets to the causeway viewing, apparently there is a few hours before the launch that you have to be there by. Wife was reading some info, that it could be 8 hours before the launch (wha .. :eyepop:). Due to today's security measures.

There are a few hotels in Titusville that have just been newly built in recent times.
Wife used to work at a Super8 motel in NY, wasn't the greatest as it was an old place, but I got cheap cheap rent.
There is a newly built (a couple of years old) Super8 there, reasonably priced, but much better reviews than most in the area. Wi-fi and all.
It seems though that the price says it all, "you get what you pay for".

We haven't booked a motel yet, but it might look like the Super8 might get it, as we would get a discount too.

It must of been awesome to be in that area for all that time. Challenger would have been a very hard time to get through.

Thanks for the info :)

[astro744]

Try the Disney all Star resorts at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?facetNameng:hasResortCategoryFacet =facetValueng:value

We stayed in Sports in '95 and it was great and very reasonably priced. Even now I noticed a rate of US$82 and up mentioned.

You get free busses to all the resorts and pool cafeteria laundry areas and sports play areas.

Then just hire a car to KSC when needed and see if you can drop off at airport if that suits.

I've seen two shuttles on the pads at the same time but never a launch. Hope you get to see (& hear it).

Have fun!

[badchap]

re; accommodation; If I may suggest to keep in mind;
Consider how you are to get causeway tickets/visitors centre tickets (if that's what you end up going for)
- if you do succeed in getting them direct from NASA (remembering that they do sell out within approximately 2 minutes of going on sale).
We did not have our tickets direct from NASA so I did not have to worry about how available rental cars are around a launch time.

If you miss out on tickets direct from NASA, you still have those two other options for causeway tickets that I think I mentioned earlier - through just 2 bus companies; Central Florida/Dolphin Tours and Gator Tours.. These bus companies should have a list of their pickup points on their sites - but be aware that their pickup locations can vary from one shuttle launch to another, so if you buy tickets through them, you should ring them direct asap to confirm and also to make sure they email you info about pick up points.. they'll have hotels on their lists from all around the Disney resorts, as well as Orlando and other areas around that vicinity.
Tickets are more expensive through the bus companies, but you save on car hire.

[badchap]

As far as getting to KSC on the day, yes, you do have to be there some hours before the targetted launch time.. we went through the security checks to go into the Kennedy space centre itself, but once inside, then there is another queue to go into the bus terminal, to get onto the buses that drive out to the causeway.. From memory, I think the causeway buses were leaving from around ?? 10.30 am for the 2 pm launch. (it's only a few minutes drive around to the causeway - just out the gate and onto the causeway road) .

There are a few thousand people that will be turning up on the day to nasa.. if getting tickets direct from nasa, they will include a time frame for you to arrive at the KSC carpark.. so they stagger the arrival times of all the visitors.
The main thing to remember is that the travel time from wherever you're coming from will be doubled or possibly even tripled or more !.. lots of traffic traffic traffic - and there is some road or gates near the KSC that gets closed an hour or so before launchtime.
From what I have heard and read from other lauch viewers, even the public parks and other viewing locations around Titusville and the like, are very busy and fill up hours before launchtime.
Whichever way you're going - be Early ..give yourself plenty of time and take some snacks with you..and perhaps a little cheap blanket or rug for sitting on.

[Spanrz]

Ok, as an update, we have now booked the hotel with Super8 in Titusville. Feb 2nd to Feb 8th.
As we booked early we got a good price. Something like $640AUD for 6 nights.
Even though we sorta didn't get good reviews of Titusville hotels, we took a punt on this one, as it was the better reviewed one.
And it was recently built (last few years)
See how it goes.

[Spanrz]

Ahhh ok. I just had an OMG moment.

I did a dry run on the NASA site at 12:00 midnight (9am eastern), as the launch tickets went on sale. That is, the causeway viewing (closest view) to see STS-129 launch.

Well I hit the website, with all 5 windows open (all possible avenues). Refreshed each page seconds before the 9am deadline and up come the "BUY" icon, so went in and try to buy and I just went OMFG.

All tickets were sold out in under 5 seconds. Thats right, 5 seconds. That is just the causeway viewing.
The tickets for the wine and dine with an astronaut at 9am, were sold out in under 5-10 seconds.
The only thing left was to wine and dine with an astronaut at 6:45am. I got the chance to buy the tickets, but it was a case of just see what I could do.
That only lasted an extra 30 seconds until "all sold out" was displayed.

So, hanging by a thread for a few hours (on anticipation of how this ticket sale worked), has now left me with a :eyepop: factor.
No tickets are left for any of the viewings (from NASA) in under 2 minutes.
That is, all the 5 viewing packages.

So word of warning any people want to view the last of the shuttle launches, if you want tickets, don't get your hopes up too quick, as it's just a pure luck that you get one.

I just can't believe it. Sold out in under 5 seconds. OMG! :confused2: :screwy:

[badchap]

Don't forget your alternatives to secure causeway tickets, (or visitors centre tickets) - those two bus companies that have been mentioned earlier in the thread.

[badchap]

oh yes -if trying direct from nasa site - just go straight for the dine with astronauts & causeway tickets. (ie., don't bother trying for the slightly cheaper causeway only tickets)

[jliew22]

Hi all..
This is my 1st time on this forum.. we just bought tickets through Gator tours for the 16th Nov launch.. what's the likelihood of the launch being scrubbed? Anyone going for the launch?

[Spanrz]

OK, NASA tickets for the causeway viewing go on sale at 1AM tonight/tomorow morn.
Think I'm going to have a sleep (er...nana nap) and get up just before they go on sale.

The process from now on, has changed dramtically to get these tickets.
It's called - you enter a web room sit there for half an hour, then you get chosen on a random basis to purchase tickets. So the tickets will be sold on a radom basis.

I think because they got sold out in under 2-3 seconds last mission, they must of thought people were using techniques (server bots I think), to guarantee a ticket.
Because they are using the "captcha" word phrase logging system, they hopefully might stop the flood, so that everyone gets a chance.

The tickets are now "causeway only" or "Nasa Visitor Center only", but they can have the option to have "dinner/breakfast with an Astronaut", it's not an automatic thing anymore. You have to add it on.

Also, the tickets will "only" be sent to the billing address on the Credit Card. It says it will cost $35 for O/S mailing.

If I fail in the tickets, I'll try the "Gator Tours" prospect.
Failing that, worst case, I'll be watching it from about 22k's away (hotel), that is last resort, but I think a beach posy will do just fine (Somewhere)

2 weeks out - got the clothes - got the digital camera - got a new HD (1080i) camcorder. Unsure how it will go in the night, but with those bright lights it should be fine.
Just got to get set for the "- C " minus temp's.
Flordia is seeing very cold weather at the moment.

This whole trip, I think I'll be looking the the "Michelan Man".
One memorable trip coming up.

[Spanrz]

Dreams have come true.
We got tickets to the causeway viewing. Soldout in under 10 minutes.

Very random and it's a lottery big time. You can still get in to buy tickets, but it's still won't let you buy them till the tickets free up.

It's like gaining access to the main gate of a theme park, you've got in, but you still have to gain access to the ticket box for the ride.
That ticket box is swamped and there's 50 ppl ahead of you.

So stoked. :D

Tickets cost $60 USD and the shipping cost is $35 USD for international addresses, however they get released on Jan 15th, we leave for the States on the 21st.
Just hope it's like 3-4 days not 2 weeks. Otherwise, a family member will have to send them back to the US via another courier, sheesh!

[Octane]

Brett,

I am so envious. I can only imagine what it'd be like to see the most awesome show on Earth.

Best of luck.

H

[wavelandscott]

Congrats on getting the tickets!

I'm sure it will be a "blast"!

We are undergoing a bit of a cold spell at the moment even in Florida temps are hovering at freezing (0 celsius)...don't forget to bring your "long underwear"...

[Spanrz]

OMG....."the package" came in the nick of time. It left Jan 15th.
Tomorrow we leave...We would have missed it tomorrow.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4289000861_9772525b36_b.jpg

[Octane]

Brett,

All the best. So, so, envious.

H

[Spanrz]

A few days to go, till we venture down south.
I have learnt so much about the cold here..... hahahaha...
Don't leave water bottles or any food in the car, lol.........

Some pics that have worked out, so many more, just too hard to post.
I am going to try some HDR shots, since I've learnt a lot from you guys.
Already taken some shots for HDR, but I will process them when I get back home (2 weeks or so).

Here's some shots that will stay with me for a while.
Enjoy.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679...764390c85_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4318379063_7764390c85_b.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545..._bda519d489.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4319120710_bda519d489.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691...5f61f86c5_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4319118926_05f61f86c5_b.jpg)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064...b7063a5e4_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4319115480_8b7063a5e4_b.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710...bd1486da8_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4318380855_3bd1486da8_b.jpg)

[Spanrz]

Just arrived in Titusville about 12 hours ago. Staying at the Super 8 motel (NorthWest of the town).
It's very clean, modern and so far "no bugs". (crosses fingers).

The road from Orlando to Titusville is great, long straight roads all Highways. Took about 45 minutes from point A to point B in basically no traffic.

Breakfast shortly, then on to possibly some tours and get accustomed to this town. Have to figure out where we have to be at 10:30pm before the launch.

One word of advice, if you fly in to Atlanta airport, take the train that runs between terminals (concourses). Delta put us on C50 and had to "run" from C50 to A17. That was atleast 2k's, not kidding. Didn't realise that the train went between terminals, we thought it went into Atlanta itself.
We had 15 minutes to change planes, we missed it maybe by 30 secs, but a guy was infront of us at the gate, he needed a change of his plane and he took up that crucial few seconds, where they could have stopped the door closing...Sheesh.

So it's possibly tour the Space Center today, see how it goes.
Weather looks a bit fairish, chance of rain for the next few days, but temps around low 20's.
It can rain all it likes, but Sunday morn, is my time (pretty please mr man upstairs)......

[Spanrz]

Update.
Visited Kennedy Space Center today. Dunno how I can better it, but with another visit tomorrow.

Did the basic tours, with a few shows and exhibits later, we did most of it in 6-7 hours. However, we did miss some stuff for tomorrow.
Admission tickets last 2 days (must use the 2 days within a 7 day period), I'd recommend that you use them for the 2 days, because you "will" need it, if you are really in to it.
Because it's winter, it's probably the best time to come here, only because you don't have to fight people for spots. Can't imagine this place in the summer, be hours trying to get a view of something.

Finished off today, with a suprise. Met Al Worden, from Apollo 15.
Had a photo signed and got a hat signed as well.
Told him, I used my scope to view the Apollo 15 landing site and made video's of it. He loved that. He picked up on my Aussie accent, asked where in Aussieland I was from. Said "Melbourne", he replied with "That's the only place that I haven't been to", told him, "well you better get down there, it's a great place". He laughed.

Going to be very hard to beat today. Happy Chappy.

I'll post some pics later (er soon).

[Spanrz]

Things still look good for STS-130.
Weather is about 70% favourable. Big rains coming tomorrow, but should just pass by Sunday.
The key is the wind speed, that will be the only thing to bump it via mother nature, other than mechanical glitches.

Went and finished off the other stuff at Kennedy today including Hall of Fame and the "up and close" bus tour (not just the standard bus tour).
Highly recommend that you take 2 days to view everything. As we went in Winter, the lines weren't that bad, but in summer, forget it... (hours)
It will take you more than 2 days, if you are a space nutter like me. :D
A friend of mine was rushed through in 1 day, I don't think he seen everything and he said it was rushed.

Got really close to Pad 39B and was about 1-2k's from Pad 39A (Endeavour).
Just awesome, so chuffed.
Bought a lot of goodies, spent about $200USD and the wife spent about $200USD.

Here's some photos (small snipet)......
Very hard to get the photo's right for the exposure. The Fujifilm camera struggles to get good shots in slightly off conditions, you have to work very hard to get your result that you want.

Very glarey today, even had sun interfering in the Pad 39A (Endeavour) shots. Bit annoyed about the glare factor, but it's the best I could do with what I had. Had to squint most shots.
And a wife who didn't want to set the camera, it's all too hard. Sheesh!

But other than that, I have captured what I wanted and got what I wanted out of it.

Yesterday :
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs148.snc3/17540_285405627859_581752859_323229 8_4592200_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17540_285405607859_581752859_323229 4_5665538_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17540_285405612859_581752859_323229 5_5730522_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs128.snc3/17540_285405857859_581752859_323231 9_3463611_n.jpg

Today:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs128.snc3/17540_287616272859_581752859_323882 3_3897132_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs148.snc3/17540_287616277859_581752859_323882 4_4300077_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_287616052859_581752859_323879 7_8037270_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17540_287616022859_581752859_323879 3_2121865_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_287616107859_581752859_323880 4_4516473_n.jpg

[Octane]

Brett,

I am so jealous.

Also, I went over my data allowance and so my connection is throttled until the 11th. I will miss out on the live launch. Miffed.

All the best for a successful launch, and, looking forward to your review of it.

H

[iceman]

Loving the story and pics!

Keep them coming! Good luck with the launch!

[Spanrz]

Thanks guys. :D

Well today was amazing. I thought it couldn't get any better. But it just does...

We decided to hit some tribute areas around the waters edge in Titusville.
We found a "walk of fame", nice little tribute area and visited a perfect "free" but very popular area to view the shuttle launch's.
Then we headed for a small store/museum, and there we had a great chat to one of the shop's staff.
He took us for a tour round the museum with some history that you wouldn't normally see.

This fellow, who I've always wanted to meet, but never thought I would ever get the chance, just like meeting Al Worden the other day.
He is a retired NASA employee, from back in the Mercury-Gemini-Apollo-Shuttle days.
Not only was he an employee, he was an engineer, he was told by Gus Grissom to get into NASA (he flew /was a test pilot with Gus), his employee number was #4 at NASA, he was heavilly involved with all the above stated missions.
He has met JFK, during the Apollo missions.
His name is Sam Beddingfield, he retired from NASA in '85.

Awesome history from this guy. Website : http://spacewalkoffame.com/

[Analog6]

I too am a very dark shade of green.

It really sounds like the trip of a lifetime and I hope the launch is all you dreamed of.

Pics are great, keep 'em coming.

[spacezebra]

Congrats Brett!

Cheers Petra d.

[h0ughy]

great images Brett - i hope the launch is great and that you get a great long exposure shot of the shuttle liftoff and the moon and a nice vapour trail - no clouds ;)

[Spanrz]

Just got back from the Causeway site. Dam it...Got scrubbed just before the T-9 minute hold was up.
It was definately "Melbourne" weather this morning.
Clouds rolled in about 1-2 hours before launch, in true Melbourne fashion.
Now it's clearer than launch time, go figure.
Disappointed - yes very, but still happy enough to see it like that this morning.
It was bloody cold though... around 5 degrees and wind around 10-20k's an hour...

We are leaving tomorrow morning around 9am to catch a flight to Atlanta, then to New Orleans.
So a Causeway view isn't on the cards, due to the traffic this morning. It took us 2+ hours to get 10k's. Very hard to stay awake at that pace.
Had to use alternate routes to get away from the gridlock..
If any viewing is there, it will have to be very local (within 5k's). Might attempt near the spacewalk of fame, that area still gives a great view, just a few k's more away as compared to the causeway.

With the causeway tickets, as soon as you board the bus, the tickets are deemed to have been used. So any delays, you will have to somehow purchase another "Transportation Ticket", if you can get it. I think they cost around $20USD.

Got to the Causeway about 1:30am, found a spot very quickly and camped. Excellent views of the shuttle, outstanding actually.
With the lights on it, it was just sureal.
Thousands of people showed up. Was very easy getting there, parking and access was well organised, just the getting home was the real pain.

The photo's didn't come out as well as expected, I had a hunch the camera would have failed in low lighting.
The camera got the shots, but I had to zoom in right on the optical/digital crossover and it pixelated the shuttle. I took the laptop to check the photo's, so that I made sure if I nailed a shot.
The FujiFilm S1000FD is a great camera in solid lighting, but in poor lighting, the colour is washed away and everything has a grey/blue shade to the dark areas. Many attempts at shutter speeds/ISO's and Ap, no good, it really struggled to nail it.

But on the plus side, the HD Camcorder looks like it did pretty well.
Had the zoom lens on it (heheh a whole 1.7x) but it did the trick.
Though this camera doesn't like dark area's just llike the Fuji, it coped better than I expected.

I'll post a vid soon to youtube, if I can send it through the hotel's wireless (its slow sometimes).

Still stoked I got here, just hoped they would go. :confused2:

[bartman]

Bummer on the 'NO GO' but great pics anyway.
Gives me shivers just to think I would be able to be there none the less.
Cheers and have lotsa funs!!!!!!

[Jen]

:eyepop: wow Brett you lucky bugger you :P

Love the pictures i would be so excited to be at a place like that :D

[Spanrz]

The Mrs and me were doing a "reccy" on where to go next.

The drive back from KSC was bad particularly from sleep deprivation, so as much as I like it KSC I think is out. But being at KSC, near on guarantee's us a car park, but the Visitor Centre would be our viewing site. You miss the few seconds launch off the pad, but you should get a great view about 5-10 sec after launch.
Because we boarded the bus, we used up our transportation ticket. Even though you don't get a re-use of the ticket, you an still use the KSC Visitor Centre pass to get access only for the Visitor Centre (2nd day only)

Though we are looking around the beach part of Titusville, I think it's along RT1 there a lot of pockets of viewing areas, but parking is the issue. Across the road is probably the best option. There isn't a great deal of open land on the beach around the "walk of fame", its little pockets. It's 6PM now and people are already parking cars now for their view sites.
So it will be a real challenge.....Going to have to wing it I think, but I don't mind as we have major time contraints tomorrow morn (as in, we view the launch, pack up and head to Orlando within the hour).

Just about to upload some pics....Sorry for the quality, I really wanted better, but it's the best I can do. If it launches, the ambient light should be well enough for the camcorder to have better quality. It's the first time I have tried to get pics/video in the enviroment, so learning as I go along.

But nontheless, ecstatic that I have done what I wanted to do for 25 years.

Have to check weather, have dinner, the go around midnight.

[Spanrz]

Some pics from the camera and or camcorder. Sorry for the quality. It's the best I can do within the lighting.
Camera wouldn't focus at long range, due to the dark to bright light.
I tried every setting I could, manually and auto. ISO high and low. Only takes 8 sec pics.

If I had a camera like some of you had, it would be way better. But I'd be a poor fella, hahaha.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_292851367859_581752859_325340 9_3698788_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_292868042859_581752859_325348 5_5998042_n.jpg

[Spanrz]

Well............................... ........ OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had a perfect view from Space View park in Titusville (Walk of fame).
Got interviewed from local news, so might appear down there...
It was worth the wait and the cold. Just so awesome.

Got Video, haven't reviewed it yet as we don't have time to, but it looks great. Got SRB separation and the beautiful blue engine glow for about 1-2 minutes, then it disappeared.

Was cloudy, and looked so much like yesterday, then it started to clear about 1 hr before launch. Everyone in the park wanted it to go. The aura was just so there.

I'll post it on Youtube, but it might be a few days before I do that.

So if you ever want to experience any of the Shuttle Launches, DO IT NOW, don't wait. Plan it now. It's a must.

We are leaving for New Orleans today, so from one all night party to another...Awesome...

[GrahamL]

Fantastic stuff :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Brett,

I'm so happy for you. And, mighty envious!

Congratulations, mate. Look forward to the video.

H

[Jen]

:eyepop:good on ya Brett sounds like you had an awsome time i soooo wish i was there :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Spanrz]

Some photo's. Wife took most of the photo's as I was with the Camcorder.
Had the camera on "auto" taking shots on a "continuous shooting".
It was way too dynamic for me to adjust, let alone the wife.

Photo's :
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_295124917859_581752859_326126 6_729026_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_295124922859_581752859_326126 7_3166578_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_295124947859_581752859_326126 9_537972_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17540_295124952859_581752859_326127 0_4974417_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_295124972859_581752859_326127 2_1376985_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_295124972859_581752859_326127 2_1376985_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_295124987859_581752859_326127 4_7431824_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_295125007859_581752859_326127 6_3130324_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs248.ash1/17540_295125007859_581752859_326127 6_3130324_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs148.snc3/17540_295125047859_581752859_326128 1_6457353_n.jpg

[iceman]

Awesome stuff Brett!
Can't wait to see the video!

[Spanrz]

Sorry no vid post up, I don't think I'll get a chance until I get home.

We've been snowed in at Dallas Fort Worth airport, had to sleep in airport for the last 16 hours. Hoping in about 6 hours we'll be outa here, we fly to Wichita Kansas today, but only for 20 hours, then off to Denver for the start of our International flight home.
Hit with record snowfall (atleast 1 foot / 12 inches / 300mm). Who would have thought that flying south to keep out of the major snow storms and here we get one (one in a hundred storm).
The issue now is crews for the planes, that was the major reason for not flying out. They were even double de-icing the planes, but no good after that.

If we don't get that flight, "we have to" get to Denver by Saturday morning. Otherwise we in deep poo.
If we miss that flight out, we miss the AC/DC concert on Monday in Melb.

We were supposed to be in Wichita yesterday, with the Mrs. sister, but we may only get a handful of hours to catch up. sheesh.

The only major glitch so far, didn't mind the snow, but we were booked in (so we thought) in to a hotel last night at a discounted rate, and the courtesy bus didn't want to pick us up, they kept telling us "yeah we'll be there" .. 3 hours later, sorry were full... Yeah thanks for that. sheesh. Mind you, they didn't have to deal with the Mrs

[Spanrz]

Ok, have uploaded a Youtube vid of the launch.
I just want to see it in HD, before I toy with it. (should have a 1080i/p component to it).
I haven't yet seen the HD version, it was still processing.
This was from Space View Park in Titusville.

It is an unedited version, so about 4:30min in, is the actual launch.

Most vids only got to about 2-3 min in, mine goes till you can't see it anymore.

Enjoy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unCgWohhIY8

[wavelandscott]

I wish you good luck with the traveling part...the weather has been horrificly bad across large protions of the USA the past couple of weeks.

I guess this further caps a "memorable" trip!

[Spanrz]

Wow...Ummm "memorable", I just don't think we can't forget this trip.

Got caught in the Dallas Snowstorm a few days ago, now we missed our flight back home 2 days ago, by 30 sec. Our bags went but we didn't.
The gate guy nicked off from the gate as we arrived at the gate. Mind you, we were close to taking off. He came back 5 minutes later said we missed the flight. The door was still open and all.
He was real smug about it. We watched them put our bags on the flight. He didn't care. He said "I did call final boarding" we said "no you didn't" as we didn't hear it, even the wifes family didn't hear it. The board (tv screen) didn't show it either. We found out later the board wasn't updated regularly. Come to find out it was the last flight out.

Long story, but 2 days after, we finally found a flight back, only cost 300usd to transfer it.
We fly out later this afternoon from Kansas. Man, it's the "wizard of oz" here, and I got some red shoes that are clicking madly.....
We did miss our AC/DC concert. My father and a friend went in our places. Told em "enjoy yourselves".

Please take me home........ :D

[Spanrz]

As a final update for those are looking to attend the last 4 shuttle missions, or some of you who want just want to visit the Cape :

Make sure you schedule a rental car too, very advisable (with a GPS too)
And be very accomdating to the weather, you need to be vigilant of what it's doing, particularly if there are storms that might affect driving or for the launch. Be mindful and accept if the shuttle doesn't launch. Allow a few days after scheduled launch for "delays".

Most of all, "you won't be disappointed" either way if it launches or get's scrubbed.

KSC:
NASA tours exceeded expectation, it will take you 2 days to get through. (KSC-Bus Tours x 2-Astronaut Hall of Fame etc etc)

Mind you, we did it in the Winter. Which was less busy than Summer.
So plan your trip for a few days, if you want to see all in Summer.

Access (driving) to the facility is very good, parking lot is big enough for us aussies.
Place opens at 9am, closes in the evening. Best to attack at 9am.
If you take the bus tours, we did the "normal bus tour", which takes to you most places, just not up close and personal with the pads.
You need to take the pad tour (hopefully schedule around the shuttle), you can get great photo op's when on this bus tour, however it takes about 2 hours and costs an extra $30 usd per person.
But the extra bus tour does run over some of the places that you might have been with the previous tour.
The normal bus tour, takes around 1-2 hours, more if you want to take photo's and poke around.
The great thing is there is plenty of buses that get you from point a to b. So don't worry about schedules.

The launch:
Causeway site ticket "IS A MUST". If you can get it. It is the best seat in the house for us Civi's. It's bought on line and can be bought from some bus companies (as previous posts have said).
It's a lottery, but stick with it, it sells out in minutes, so don't dawdle.
I can not emphasis this enough, you "must" be very fast to secure tickets via the online lottery.
You have such an awesome sight (unimpeeded) of the whole topside of the shuttle.
If you get a Causeway ticket, make sure you get off the bus and find a site early on, as you have more than enough time to wander around later. Otherwise you will be fighting for a hole inbetween peoples bodies for "that shot" on liftoff. Try to be nice about "rushing" but it's first come first serve for the front line.
Take a cheap chair. We picked up a $10 chair to sit of for about 6 hours.
We couldn't take t back with us, so we left it in the rental car.

Now, the tricky "read between the lines part".
If you do secure causeway tickets, and it get's scrubbed before you board the NASA bus, your causeway ticket is still valid for the next launch vewing.
If it get's scrubbed after boarding the bus, the ticket is deemed to have been "used". You will have to purchase another causeway ticket.
Now, you can purchase the causeway tickets a the "ENTRY" gate area. You have to be very quick, as they sell out again very fast.
Also, the "admission" ticket to KSC is valid for 2 days, so you don't have to buy another ticket for that 2nd trip.

If you miss out on the causeway viewing, you can head to "Spacewalk Park" (end of Broad street) in Titusville.
It gives great atmosphere to a launch, and is a very popular place, so get there around 6-8 hours before, for a good spot.
There are a few other spots, but it's not a great amount on the foreshore, along the South Washington Ave, but you have to get in early.

Museum:
Be sure, if you go, to visit the "US Space Walk of Fame Museum", yes it's small, and doesn't anything like a museum, but it has a lot of early stuff that NASA doesn't have. I was amazed. It's located on Main Street right at the end right near the foreshore. If your lucky, you can meet a man in there with a "wealth" of NASA knowledge (I'd say he'd be in his 80's). If your right into the early stuff and want to meet a real NASA guy who dates back to Mercury days, that's the place you want to visit. Ask for "SAM".

Hotel:
We stayed in the Super 8 Motel just on the north western edge of Titusville, on route 406.
It is a newish built Hotel. Much much better than any other Super 8 that I have stayed at.
It took a whole 5-7 minutes to get to "SpaceWalk Park"... (grins).
The hotel was excellent. A little on the small side for room side, but for 2 people it was ok.
Prices varied a lot, from around $60USD low, to a high of $125USD a night, for the shuttle launch.
The food restaurant next door was a Mexican flavour, but it was a dump as it looks like they were either selling up, or just moving in. Was not in a state for customers.
The food around the area is pretty good, bout a 5 minute drive you can get most of the eateries.

Anyway, hope this helps with a few thoughts, if you are thinking of going.

Hopefully someone out there will go to one of the 4 launches. Get into it, not much time left.