Orlando In Jan (Amazing opportunity)

It seems quite a few people are bound for Florida in the New Year. Just a little bit of useful info...

Space Shuttle Atlantis is now scheduled to Launch on either 2nd or 10th Jan. Just phoned KSC and they aren't yet taking reservations but lets be honest, you could park up nearby and watch it. I just hope its the 2nd (even though ill be missing Orlando Magics) since on the 10th were off to Key Largo.

An amazing opportunity for space geeks and enthusiasts alike.











Topic moved by mod as it is not a Virgin Atlantic discussion.... Nick

Saw a shuttle launch from Naples at 2am one morning, even seeing a big flame was very cool.

Hi all,

I'm a bit of a space geek and have followed this story closely... Just wanted to say that nothing is set in stone for Atlantis yet, they are still going through a lot of troubleshooting before they can commit to a launch date. They don't know if they can fix the sensor problem at the pad, rollback to the Vehicle Assembly building, or just fly without the sensors.

Real good source of information to keep updated (I use) is:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com

They are saying no earlier than (NET) Jan 10th and they are the guys who will know...

Good luck with viewing it. Saw it once - amazing..

Steve

Just don't plan of flying out there with BA in Jan - they are cancelling loads of MCO flights at the moment !!

Glad with hindsight I have booked VS for early Feb.

Originally posted by steveb
Hi all,

I'm a bit of a space geek and have followed this story closely... Just wanted to say that nothing is set in stone for Atlantis yet, they are still going through a lot of troubleshooting before they can commit to a launch date. They don't know if they can fix the sensor problem at the pad, rollback to the Vehicle Assembly building, or just fly without the sensors.

Real good source of information to keep updated (I use) is:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com

They are saying no earlier than (NET) Jan 10th and they are the guys who will know...

Good luck with viewing it. Saw it once - amazing..

Steve

There's a guy at work who also is well into all things Nasa, he claims to be going to a launch in May of next year, also that he's going to be in one of those tiered seats (closest to the launch pad that you can get?) Now - I did a tour of the Kennedy Space Center a few years back and am sure the spiel said that these seats were for the press only. Is that right???

We saw the last one go up in October standing outside the Manatee exhibition in Seaworld. The whole park stopped and they had Nasa on the tannoy system. Its quite a long way away but you could just about hear it. After that the whole park erupted with clapping and cheering. That in itself was something to see as well.

Miopyk[8D]

[Scrooge]

May...mmm thats possible [:?]

There was another thread where this subject came up...something I have always wanted to see.

We were out there last week and was gutted to miss the launch. Was cancelled each day so would love to go back in Jan, but based on this experience, don't put too much faith in it launching on time so don't be upset if it cancels again.

Hi Stu, My partner and I are flying out Dec 30th from Manx and even though we went to KSC last year we will definately be looking out for the shuttle launch as I believe it will be too good to miss, thanks for the info.

Hi,

Went to the launch in October (2007) which was a once in a lifetime truly amazing experience. Here are my quick tips:

Go early we actually booked a package that included the car and a driver and the tickets (4) @ $500 in total. We left Orlando at 8am. If you have a hire car then you can obviously drive I don't bother hiring a car as I stay onsite at Disney.

Beware as far as I could make out everyone had tickets with VIP etc however there were 8,000 or so ÒVIP'sÓ. Don't be fooled by the VIP status it simply gets you in.

Once in KSC head left at the entrance and aim for the bank by the live screen. The launch site is to the right of the bank as you stand in front of it. The ideal position is one that gets a view of the screen and the live launch area.

We brought KSC seats for $20 each which we kept (covered them in a bin liner and taped them up and took them home as a nice memento).

Once the seats were set up one of the family stayed in position and the rest explored KSC

Take a nice picnic as food offering is limited plus remember drinks

They bring out ex astronauts etc on the live screen to tell you what is going on which was really interesting

Once the launch has happened (and you finally get your breath back!)head for the gates straight away and get out of dodge. It took us an hour to get back to Orlando our friends left 30 minutes later and took three hours to drive back!

If anyone needs any other help I would be pleased to help!

I would to be able to see a launch at KSC (for some reason the first few posts I thought you were going on about KFC [:p]), but have never been fortunate to be in Orlando at the same time.

I'm guessing as its so big and lound anywhere in the vicinity will have reasonably good views.

My fingers are crossed for you all...

No probs Nikki, im not too worried about getting tickets, i went to KSC last year and there is a hefty straight road before you get there (past the museum) so if i dont manage to sort a ticket ill just park up and watch it.
I cant see them doing it on the sly and only those at the KSC can see it. Its a 2.30am so it should light up the sky.

Every firework display youll ever go to again will be snide.