sunset_fridays you are exactly where you are meant to be
The NASA and Kennedy Space Center websites have info about how to buy tickets or where to view off-site
You can see it from most places along the beach in Cocoa Beach once its up in the air, but the best places are probably:
-Jetty Park (at Port Canaveral). I believe its the closest spot to the launch pad outside of Space Center, but there are some trees and whatnot between…
-the bridge going out there (route 528/A1A), from which I think you can actually see the launch pad. Lots of people park along the road on the causeway.
Both spots are at least a few miles away from the pad, but its still very visible (hard to miss something that big, bright, and loud!)
Worth noting that since its down to the last couple of shuttle launches, you should plan on being there quite early…
Spaceview Park on US 1 in Titusville is a great place to watch it from. It’s directly across the river from the launch pad. They set up speakers so you can hear the communications from Mission Control. It gets VERY crowded so be prepared to arrive very very early. You can also view it from almost anywhere along US 1 or from any of the beaches. It can also be seen from route 528 but that road becomes extremely jammed before and after launches.
I totally agree. That is where I was able to see my launch. You can keep up with the schedule from here: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx#2010/7/0/bd5b0e7d-0821-40a9-908d-5ef727c943f1
Try to be as close as you could. I was on a bridge and was told that I was only a mile away. Spectacular!
We’ve actually bought the tickets to watch the launch at KSC, which was ok, they had a screen set up and everything. But I’ve heard that you can see the launch even better just pulling off the road or going to one of the many parks. You have a pretty good view from anywhere around there, so I wouldn’t specifically pay money to watch at KSC.
My husband says the best place these days to view is at Titusville, FL on the river across from the launch site. It is crowded, so plan to arrive very early. The traffic can be quite bad, slow-moving before and after, so you should be prepared for it to possibly take several hours at a slow pace. One time back in the 90’s we crept along at 5 mph for several miles. Take an ice chest with plenty of water and snacks. You will be glad you have these once you get to a viewing spot, too.
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view/view_shuttle.html
Check these sites for tickets at Kennedy. If you are a Canadian citizen, you should contact them well in advance. Tickets are $40-50 and you will have to park in a designated lot and ride a bus to the viewing site. Be sure to arrive well ahead of time if you do this.
You can probably see a launch from the beach, but you would not be able to get as close as the causeway or across the river in Titusville. Yes, Jetty Park at Port of Canaveral is also a possiblilty, but I don’t know how good low or ground level visibility is. Don’t worry, if you can’t see it right at lift off, you will certainly hear it. And then it won’t be any time before it is high enough in the sky to see. We could hear it even after it got 250 miles downrange over the Atlantic. Awesome. I hope you get to go.
sunset_fridays you are exactly where you are meant to be
THANK YOU ALL for your reply!!!! You have no idea how much this has help!! :) yey!!! im sooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
......ROAD TRIP!.....
Niel is doing whatever it takes ...
According to my research Jetty Park is not a good place. I’d try my damnest to get tickets for the NASA causeway (try eBay) for the closest view of the launch pad, otherwise Spaceview Park in Titusville, or somewhere along the US-1 as a third option.
It’s been said, but it bears saying again: come early and be prepared to stay late.
Take binoculars: the closest you can get is is still miles away.
