Vet Man
Ct. & Florida
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Buy tickets to get into the visitor center and ask for a parking pass. The visitor center will be open even if the launch is late at night or early in the morning. We have seen 5 launches over the years and try not to miss any, they are always different. We will be in the visitor parking lot in Feb. There is a Wal-mart and a Cracker Barrel not to far North on rt95 you can stay at.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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kohldad wrote:....
Question 1: What is the best place to boondock the night before yet have a great view of the launch?
.......
I'm sure no expert, but I've gone down for three cool-weather launches in the past ~three years, seen two. I've overnighted several times on the way down or back in the FL rest areas along I-95. Once, the security guard asked if I was self-contained and staying for the night...when I told him yes, he escorted me to the picnic area with several other RV's so he could 'keep a better eye on us' for our security. Only problem was that we were right alongside the access road to a truck parking area. Very noisy with big rigs going by all night, 'til started my Onan 'white-noise' generator. The other times have been without any incident, parked with the cars.
I watched both the ones I saw from the roadside just north of Titusville, along the water (Indian River?). The area is signed 'no camping', but a T'ville LEO told me that they don't enforce it the night before or after a launch. The second time, I went north of the 1st bridge north of T'ville; mistake, since they open it to allow all the small boats to come back thru after the launch, and it creates a massive traffic jam. I just stayed put and slept for a while.
To get to this area, go as far east as you can in T'ville, then turn left and go north past the last waterfront condos. Park in the grass along the east side of the road in the area where the VAB & launch towers are visible.
If there's another night launch in cool weather, I may well be there... 
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
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sbassfsu
Florida
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Where Jim Hand Basket it talking about is a good spot but they are in the process of doing away with that draw bridge and building a new high one so the boats can pass on the intercostal..so beware could be crazy because of all the constructuion...There are 2 malls in tville mircle city and sears town they are both about empty both on us 1 across from the river you could probly overnight in one of those lots no problem I would do sears town and there is a city park just north on us 1 that you could walk to from the parking lot and be right on the river...
Shane
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GoinThisAway
middle TN
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I've been thinking the same thing. Looks like 4 of the scheduled launches are on a Thur and the 5th is on a Fri so any of them will do. Probably best not to wait too late though. I imagine a lot of other folks will have the same thought. Although maybe not too many. I called a college co-op student at work over to watch a shuttle landing a while back. When I made a comment that the pilot had better get it right the first time he wanted to know why. Didn't know that it glides down!
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btggraphix
Golden, CO
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I'm so glad you threw this idea out there....I got to talking with my wife and I think we might try to go see STS131 in March. My mom has a park model in Nokomis and I haven't yet seen it. We can fly down there and try to see the launch on March 18th. Unfortunately we won't have the camper so we might need to get a motel, but this launch is in the afternoon - so we might be able to just drive over for the launch and not have to try to find a motel or anything.
I have a former in-law who worked for the Air Force there - I'll have to talk with her to find if she has any inside line on passes.
Awesome idea, thanks for it!
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Randu
Jackson, MI
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This thread got me thinking about seeing a launch and Mid March is looking promising. We did see a satillite launch from the Daytona grandstands back in 96 when down for 500 week. Could not believe how long we could see something that was so far away. Daytona must be at least 60 miles to the north of the space center. Randy
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kohldad
Goose Creek, SC
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Endeavor was rolled out to the launch pad today in preperation of her upcoming launch. The date has been moved to Sunday, Feb 7 at 4:39pm. At first I thought this would scratch my plans, but I realized it works out a little better as I will now be able to take my time on the way down. If she goes off on schedule, I'll have a day or two to get back home, if not, I still have two or three days I can sit around and wait.
I'm looking at staying on the side of the causeway just north of Titusville if possible. If not, it'll be a couple of blocks south or there and I'll have to walk to the river's edge for a good view.
Photo credit: NASA TV.
* This post was
edited 01/06/10 11:31am by kohldad *
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HSE2LT
Lackawanna, New York
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I bought passes yesterday online. They sold out quickly. Kohldad posted time of launch as 4:39 pm, Nasa web site says 4:39 am. When I first made plans to see launch I thought it was pm, but website says am. When my tickets arrive hopefully they will have proper time.
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kohldad
Goose Creek, SC
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From NASA Website:
Quote:Endeavour's launch is targeted for 4:39 a.m. Feb. 7
I'm sure it was pm on the web site a couple of days ago, but I could have been mistaken or things change.
Thanks for pointing out the correct time as it stands today. 
So, maybe it will be a nigth shot, still will be interesting.
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kohldad
Goose Creek, SC
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Latest update from NASA:
Quote:The Flight Readiness Review taking place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida has concluded. The poll has been taken and all systems are "go for launch."
Liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-130 mission to the International Space Station to deliver the Tranquility node and its attached cupola has been scheduled for 4:39 a.m. EST Feb. 7
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