Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA??

cahogbin · 09-01-2004

NASA finally set the time for the rocket launch while we are there. It's a nighttime launch and they will not be issuing on site tickets (as of now anyway - it could change).

So - where is the best spot to watch a nighttime rocket launch? Is there anywhere you can see it from the launch pad and take off the whole way?

I'll need details so I can find it on a map and then directions so I can pin point the spot. THANKS!!

CaribBeachNut · 09-01-2004

Anywhere out on 192 past Kissimmee & St. Cloud should be sufficient to see a launch. But I would get as close to A1A near Melbourne as I could. Probably safe there with respect to traffic, rather than heading for Merritt Island.

LuvWDW · 09-01-2004

Melbourne is a good place. Keep an eye on the NASA sight. They are shutting down for the hurricane and will most likely get serious damage.

disneyguy · 09-01-2004

NASA claims the best spot to be Titusville. Book a hotel room that looks over towards the launch site.

Disneywife · 09-02-2004

Thanks for posting this...there's a launch on the day we are going too (a Delta 2 rocket). I hope it's not launching at 2 am or something!

cahogbin · 09-02-2004

Sharon -
When are you going? http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/ is a great site for tracking changes and when the times are set.

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone. Keep them coming!

PiratesFan · 09-02-2004

>Is there anywhere you can see it from the launch pad and take off the whole way?

Probably not, for 2 reasons. For one thing, the launch pads are located several miles away from the public roads, and are most likely obscured by trees and buildings to even view with binoculars or a scope. The Space Shuttle Launch pads, 39A and 39B, are visible at a great distance from the road leading into Cape Canaveral, but the crowds there could be prohibitive. The next Space Shuttle launch will not be before mid-March, but it will definately be during the day in order for high speed video and photos to be taken. The second reason is for security concerns as you might imagine.

Even if you could see the launch pads of these rockets, you may only have a view of the back of the launch gantry platforms and not see much of the rocket at all until it clears the tower.

mickaholic4077 · 09-08-2004

Jetty Park in the city of Canaveral is the closest I have ever been to a Space Shuttlelaunch. We could feel the shuttle lift off. It was magnificent.

asp8tis · 09-09-2004

Titusville is directly across the water from the Kennedy Space Center, so the views are great from there. My parents have a condo right on the waterfront of the intercoastal (sp?) in Port St. John, which is just 10 min. south of Titusville. They've watched many launches from their balcony with an excellent view. We went out to Merritt Island and watched a rocket launch from out on Cocoa Beach last year, and that was a good view, too. Plus, we were out on the beach so we were able to enjoy that, also. There were a lot of people out on the beach watching, but it wasn't too crowded.

royorb1 · 09-12-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by asp8tis

Titusville is directly across the water from the Kennedy Space Center, so the views are great from there. My parents have a condo right on the waterfront of the intercoastal (sp?) in Port St. John, which is just 10 min. south of Titusville. They've watched many launches from their balcony with an excellent view. We went out to Merritt Island and watched a rocket launch from out on Cocoa Beach last year, and that was a good view, too. Plus, we were out on the beach so we were able to enjoy that, also. There were a lot of people out on the beach watching, but it wasn't too crowded.

There will be a launch on one of our days at WDW. Can you give me any info on the Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach location for watching the launch. The day of the launch is a Sun., will any of the visitor locations be open at the space center? Would it be possible in the same day to see the space center and then see the launch? thanks for any info

asp8tis · 09-12-2004

We just parked near Cocoa Beach and walked out by the main pier. Then we walked down the beach a bit to find a good spot. That was during a trip we took in Jan., so even though it was a beautiful day by our Chicago standards, the beach wasn't very crowded. Most people were there just to see the launch. I have no idea if the Kennedy Space Center would be open that day, but I would guess that it would be for a rocket launch (a space shuttle launch might be a different story). You'd probably have to contact them for more info. on that.

royorb1 · 09-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by asp8tis

We just parked near Cocoa Beach and walked out by the main pier. Then we walked down the beach a bit to find a good spot. That was during a trip we took in Jan., so even though it was a beautiful day by our Chicago standards, the beach wasn't very crowded. Most people were there just to see the launch. I have no idea if the Kennedy Space Center would be open that day, but I would guess that it would be for a rocket launch (a space shuttle launch might be a different story). You'd probably have to contact them for more info. on that.

Thanks for your info, one more question - Was the launch awesome to see?

asp8tis · 09-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by royorb1

Thanks for your info, one more question - Was the launch awesome to see?

It was definitely very cool because it's sure not something you see everyday up here in Chicago. My husband took video and I took a series of still pictures so that we could look at it again!

royorb1 · 09-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by asp8tis

It was definitely very cool because it's sure not something you see everyday up here in Chicago. My husband took video and I took a series of still pictures so that we could look at it again!

Wow, thanks for your info, this will add something great to the trip.

Tiggerette · 09-14-2004

We watched a Shuttle Launch from Titusville and the view was spectacular! We got to see the sun rise over Cape Canaveral too, which was pretty wicked

We parked there, but a redneck charged us $10 for the privilege

You could always just park nearby. We were in front of a gas station (Can't remember the exact name of the road) but it's right on the waterfront.

I've never watched a launch from anywhere else but I would recommend Titusville! (Besdies, it has a WAY cool name!)

09-01-2004	#1 (permalink)
cahogbin Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 262	Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? NASA finally set the time for the rocket launch while we are there. It's a nighttime launch and they will not be issuing on site tickets (as of now anyway - it could change). So - where is the best spot to watch a nighttime rocket launch? Is there anywhere you can see it from the launch pad and take off the whole way? I'll need details so I can find it on a map and then directions so I can pin point the spot. THANKS!! __________________ Chris

09-01-2004	#2 (permalink)
CaribBeachNut Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 910	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Anywhere out on 192 past Kissimmee & St. Cloud should be sufficient to see a launch. But I would get as close to A1A near Melbourne as I could. Probably safe there with respect to traffic, rather than heading for Merritt Island.

09-01-2004	#3 (permalink)
LuvWDW Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 1 hour away from WDW!! Posts: 179	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Melbourne is a good place. Keep an eye on the NASA sight. They are shutting down for the hurricane and will most likely get serious damage.

09-01-2004	#4 (permalink)
disneyguy Moderator/DC's Airmouse Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,195	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? NASA claims the best spot to be Titusville. Book a hotel room that looks over towards the launch site. __________________ New to DC? Looking for An Abreviations List? Click Here. *Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...* --------------- Its been far too long.... Most recent: POFQ Feb 2005

09-02-2004	#5 (permalink)
Disneywife Mouse Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,427	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Thanks for posting this...there's a launch on the day we are going too (a Delta 2 rocket). I hope it's not launching at 2 am or something!

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Travel Tips
Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA??

09-02-2004	#6 (permalink)
cahogbin Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 262	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Sharon - When are you going? http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/ is a great site for tracking changes and when the times are set. Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone. Keep them coming! __________________ Chris

09-02-2004	#7 (permalink)
PiratesFan Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 353	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? >Is there anywhere you can see it from the launch pad and take off the whole way? Probably not, for 2 reasons. For one thing, the launch pads are located several miles away from the public roads, and are most likely obscured by trees and buildings to even view with binoculars or a scope. The Space Shuttle Launch pads, 39A and 39B, are visible at a great distance from the road leading into Cape Canaveral, but the crowds there could be prohibitive. The next Space Shuttle launch will not be before mid-March, but it will definately be during the day in order for high speed video and photos to be taken. The second reason is for security concerns as you might imagine. Even if you could see the launch pads of these rockets, you may only have a view of the back of the launch gantry platforms and not see much of the rocket at all until it clears the tower. __________________ Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirates life for me!

09-08-2004	#8 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Jetty Park in the city of Canaveral is the closest I have ever been to a Space Shuttlelaunch. We could feel the shuttle lift off. It was magnificent.

09-09-2004	#9 (permalink)
asp8tis Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Suburbs, IL Posts: 933	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? Titusville is directly across the water from the Kennedy Space Center, so the views are great from there. My parents have a condo right on the waterfront of the intercoastal (sp?) in Port St. John, which is just 10 min. south of Titusville. They've watched many launches from their balcony with an excellent view. We went out to Merritt Island and watched a rocket launch from out on Cocoa Beach last year, and that was a good view, too. Plus, we were out on the beach so we were able to enjoy that, also. There were a lot of people out on the beach watching, but it wasn't too crowded. __________________ Allison 2009-POR 2008-POFQ 2006-POFQ & POP 2004-POFQ 2003-AS Music 2001-Coronado Springs 1997-Off Site 1995-Dixie Landings 1994-Dixie Landings 1970's & 1980's-Contemporary My Disney Countdown Counting down to: We're going back to WDW!! Celebrating with family at friends at WDW!!

09-12-2004	#11 (permalink)
asp8tis Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Suburbs, IL Posts: 933	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? We just parked near Cocoa Beach and walked out by the main pier. Then we walked down the beach a bit to find a good spot. That was during a trip we took in Jan., so even though it was a beautiful day by our Chicago standards, the beach wasn't very crowded. Most people were there just to see the launch. I have no idea if the Kennedy Space Center would be open that day, but I would guess that it would be for a rocket launch (a space shuttle launch might be a different story). You'd probably have to contact them for more info. on that. __________________ Allison 2009-POR 2008-POFQ 2006-POFQ & POP 2004-POFQ 2003-AS Music 2001-Coronado Springs 1997-Off Site 1995-Dixie Landings 1994-Dixie Landings 1970's & 1980's-Contemporary My Disney Countdown Counting down to: We're going back to WDW!! Celebrating with family at friends at WDW!!

09-14-2004	#15 (permalink)
Tiggerette Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland. Posts: 48	Re: Best spot for rocket launch viewing at NASA?? We watched a Shuttle Launch from Titusville and the view was spectacular! We got to see the sun rise over Cape Canaveral too, which was pretty wicked We parked there, but a redneck charged us $10 for the privilege You could always just park nearby. We were in front of a gas station (Can't remember the exact name of the road) but it's right on the waterfront. I've never watched a launch from anywhere else but I would recommend Titusville! (Besdies, it has a WAY cool name!) __________________

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