Seaking Posted February 22, 2011 #1 Posted February 22, 2011 Hi folks.. hoping someone out there who has intimate knowledge of this can help me out.. My buddy and I are always looking for excuse to ride the slab and this year we decided that if the timings worked out great we would make a run down the I95 from Houlton Maine all the way down to Florida to catch one of the Shuttle or rocket launches from the 'where ever it is called that they launch stuff into space from".. the name of the place escapes me right now.. too cold, too much snow.. However, we're the type that hates getting lost in a huge thick throngs of a crowd and were wondering if there is a location we could aim for to the north of where the launches are that you could still see the rocket's red glare, sounds and maybe some of the vibrations.. We're thinking that because everyone and their dogs are going to be crowding the general area with the same idea of taking in a launch, we would lodge a few hours to the north, ride south, see the event, and mosey on back to the north where we lodged for the evening.. If you've been to see a launch, and know of a location north of the launch pad, that would allow a couple of Canucks to ride in, view the launch and escape from the thick crowds, please do drop me a line.. Failing that, if you know of a better idea, let me know.. How's THAT for an excuse for the first BIG ride of the season =)
SC89Venture Posted February 22, 2011 #2 Posted February 22, 2011 Saw an Atlas Rocket go up from Ormond Beach, just north of Daytona. Did not hear it, but saw it in all it's glory.
Scooter Bob Posted February 22, 2011 #3 Posted February 22, 2011 I had high hopes of seeing a rocket launch when I rode down to bike week last year. Every day I checked on the way down, they had pushed it out another day. I didn't have enough time to keep hanging around. Maybe next time. Godd luck on your trip, would be great to see, that's for sure! Later, Scooter Bob
Kirby Posted February 23, 2011 #4 Posted February 23, 2011 Several years ago they had a launch at night and you could see the thing from my house in middle GA. No, you couldn't see the launchpad but after it got up aways it shone like a huge roman candle!!! Totally screwed my sense of direction up too. I had always thought south was in another direction.
M61A1MECH Posted February 23, 2011 #5 Posted February 23, 2011 There is only 3 more launches scheduled before they retire the entire fleet, one is scheduled to go this Thursday, then in April and June. Feb. 24, 2011 ULF5Discovery STS-133 EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4) Permanent Multi-Purpose Module (PMM) April 19, 2011 ULF6Endeavour STS-134 EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC3) Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) June 28, 2011 ULF7Atlantis STS-135 Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Worst part is you never know if they will go when scheduled until about 30 minutes before they go, any number of things can cause them to scrub a mission, sometimes it is for a day or two sometimes for months. You can see pretty good from New Symrna Beach area, about 30 miles north of the Cape and should not be overly crowded. There is a little county park south of NSB in Oak Hill, they have a fishing pier you can walk out on and see pretty good once it clears srub oaks. You could go down south on A1A in NSB and get out on the beach and watch, never been out there when there is a launch, but it could be crowded. Next place south is all the way down to Titusville, that is going be very crowded, you need to get there hours ahead of time to get a decent spot. If you get down inthe neck of the woods look me up I be glad to help if I can. If you here a few days early I could help you scope out a place or two.
RandyR Posted February 23, 2011 #6 Posted February 23, 2011 I went three times back in the 70's and there was a delay each time, so I never saw one go up. If I remember right the 3 shots were, the origonal skylab, a mars lander, and a Voyager deep space probe. They all went up eventually, I just wasn't there to watch nearby.
Seaking Posted February 23, 2011 Author #7 Posted February 23, 2011 MANY thanks for the recommendations, folks.. MUCH appreciated.. We're looking at an August 8th launch date now, prolly a sat launch or something like that.. Unfortunately the Shuttle dates I have to teach.. grrr... Any other info is always greatly appreciated..
Seaking Posted February 23, 2011 Author #8 Posted February 23, 2011 Next place south is all the way down to Titusville, that is going be very crowded, you need to get there hours ahead of time to get a decent spot. If you get down inthe neck of the woods look me up I be glad to help if I can. If you here a few days early I could help you scope out a place or two. Many thanks M8.. much appreciated.. I'll give you a shout should we actually make the run.. Cheers!
BuddyRich Posted February 23, 2011 #9 Posted February 23, 2011 Another thing that's cool to see is the shuttle re-entry at night. Saw it once in Tuscon, Looked like somebody tool a yellow pencil and drew a line across the night sky...
Capt-D Posted February 23, 2011 #10 Posted February 23, 2011 If you can go watch a shuttle launch, DO IT!!!! and don't skimp, go watch it from the shoreline in titusville, it is truly amazing. The traffic is not that bad, go early, and afer the launch wait a hour and then leave, traffic clears up pretty quick. there is no describing the power of a blastoff, you just cannnot believe the energy that is released, and if you are coming from way up northand are going to come this far you would be crazy not to get close. I have seen 2 launches from titusville and it was worth dealing with the traffic, most awesome thing I have ever witnessed.
Seaking Posted February 23, 2011 Author #11 Posted February 23, 2011 Thanks Capt D.. we won't be able to make the Shuttle launches (shame their service life is coming to a close...) But looks like the Aug 8 launch is all we might be able to make it to.. I've been 10 feet behind and to the side from the exhaust end of a J-79 Afterburner jet engine at max burn in the past (from a CF-101 Voodoo).. the sound and vibration is what I might suspect a proper shuttle launch would sound and feel like from a mile or so away? lol.. egads I would hope so!! I gave the ol' mapquest a boo and see where Titusville is.. Now to find out where to go directly etc for the best vantage point.. Jacksonville is 2 hours to the north so there should be ample accommodations in August?
Dano Posted February 23, 2011 #12 Posted February 23, 2011 Another thing that's cool to see is the shuttle re-entry at night. When I had my big dish up and got the Nasa channel, they had a night landing coming in over Port Charlotte. I called my buddy up who lives right there and told him to go outside and look up. When he saw that shuttle come over it scared the crap outta him! Got to see one go up from Ocala once, pretty cool.
Capt-D Posted February 23, 2011 #13 Posted February 23, 2011 It has been a couple years since I have been to a launch, but you park alongside US1 in Titusville by the water. And boy can you FEEL the power, really is amazing. Have seen plenty of launches from my house in Port St Lucie, but that is 80 miles away, not like being there. On another note, might be in your neck of the woods this summer, going to be in Mass for five months with the bike, planned on doing Nova Scotia for my vacation if things go right, would like to drop you a line if I do, find out where I need to go, will have ten days of riding time, and would like to get the most out of it.
Seaking Posted February 23, 2011 Author #14 Posted February 23, 2011 It has been a couple years since I have been to a launch, but you park alongside US1 in Titusville by the water. And boy can you FEEL the power, really is amazing. Have seen plenty of launches from my house in Port St Lucie, but that is 80 miles away, not like being there. On another note, might be in your neck of the woods this summer, going to be in Mass for five months with the bike, planned on doing Nova Scotia for my vacation if things go right, would like to drop you a line if I do, find out where I need to go, will have ten days of riding time, and would like to get the most out of it. Excellent info, many thanks! And yes, by all means, drop me an email if you're coming up this way.. Nova Scotia is QUITE unique for riders in a lot of aspects.. quite the social thing here.. Apparently there are more riders per capita here in Nova Scotia than anywhere else in Canada.. And there is a biker event just about every weekend; poker run, weekend events, big to-dos.. Drop me a line and I'll see what's abouts.. and give you a bit of a local tour if you're up for it.. the sights are impressive within a day's worth of riding.. Cheers
1 - UP Posted February 23, 2011 #15 Posted February 23, 2011 Many thanks M8.. much appreciated.. I'll give you a shout should we actually make the run.. Cheers! He's pretty much right, I use to handle the bomb dog there and still live in the area. I'm taking my friends and family up to Titusville to the ACE hardware parking lot to watch the shuttle go. So far the weather looks good for that day. But, as it has been said before, things can change, you never know. But with only 3 to go, you have to take the chance. Ken
Guest Posted February 23, 2011 #16 Posted February 23, 2011 Should be plenty of places in Jacksonville or St Augustine for that matter. You can shoot down A1A south to Flagler Beach about 30 miles south of St Auggie and watch the launch from there. If you do make it through Jacksonville let me know.
Eck Posted February 23, 2011 #17 Posted February 23, 2011 Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule http://www.placesaroundflorida.com/Cape_Canaveral_Florida/Cape_Canaveral_Launch_Schedule/ And here is a regularly updated listing of planned missions from spaceports around the globe http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/
CaptainJoe Posted February 23, 2011 #18 Posted February 23, 2011 I've been down many times to watch the shuttle Launches. What we do is stop at a subway and have them make us up a meal and we buy some drinks. Then travel north on A1A taking the cruise ship exit. Go past cruise ships and park at the bleachers (approx 1 mile) along side road. Its probably 8 miles away but you can see the shuttle on the pad, the fire and brimestone, and the sound is defening as it arks out over tha Atlantic Ocean. I believe they use a different pad for the satallite rockets. But you should still be able to view from there. After the launch we let the crazies sit in line all bunched up while we shoot the breeze drink our ice tea and eat our subway subs... takes about an hour and a half to clear out... If you like to camp... and since your going in August, another place you may consider is Jetty park: http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_2_Launch_Viewing.html To bad you can't make the shuttle launch in april. A few of us are going down to watch it and then hit Key West for a few days... If you never rode to Key West over those bridges your really missing it... just awatch out for the deer if you are riding late...
Brake Pad Posted February 23, 2011 #19 Posted February 23, 2011 three years ago , I had a Meet & greet in St. Augie for the Freemasons riding club, we rode south to a state park. just 10 miles north of the pad, at that location, you can still hear the engines, a wild crackly sound
Bushwacker Posted February 23, 2011 #20 Posted February 23, 2011 Can't be there, just took my brother-in-law to airport on Monday he is meeting up with his son who is one of the Flight Director's at Houston. They are flying over to see shuttle launch. I guess they will have front line seats, didn't offer me a seat oh well, next time maybe. Bushwacker
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