Shuttle Launch in May

[cattprez]

howdy all, on may 12. so far there is a shuttle launch and my mum and i would love to see it but cannot get there as we do not want to go to the space centre with a million other people, we were wondering if the shuttle would be on the launch pad on the 11th? as it takes ages to roll out.... and also.. where is the best spot in WDW to view a shuttle in the sky? where could we go if its an early morning shuttle launch???

im so excited!!! 53 days till im in wdw!!!!!

 

[Rabflmom]

howdy all, on may 12. so far there is a shuttle launch and my mum and i would love to see it but cannot get there as we do not want to go to the space centre with a million other people, we were wondering if the shuttle would be on the launch pad on the 11th? as it takes ages to roll out.... and also.. where is the best spot in WDW to view a shuttle in the sky? where could we go if its an early morning shuttle launch???

im so excited!!! 53 days till im in wdw!!!!!

This one is up in the air on how they are going to work it--something about using 2 launch pads or 1. It will effect the date of launch because if they decide to use the same pad for the launch and its possible emergency rescue shuttle launch site, too, they will have to work on both shuttles on that site rolling them on and off the site. Earliest launch date then will be something like May 29.

But with all launches the shuttles are on the pad weeks or even months in advance. The tours will get you a long distance look at one on the pad.
If you did want to see the launch without fighting the traffic yourself, there are bus tours from Orlando that will get you to an area to watch from. You will be able to see a launch from Disney property. it is not the same as being in the area, but you might see a light and the white smoke trail it leaves as it flies. Last nights launch was very bright in the sky and you could see the boosters fall without binoculars from my yard which is about 35 miles south. From here we did hear the rumble bnut not sure you can in Orlando.

 

[cblodg]

We were able to see the shuttle go over head at my house here in NH. long after launch though. It was so cool sing that [little] light go across the sky and know what it was!

 

[Figment632]

This is one of the last shuttle launches I belive the shuttle will be retiered in like 11 months.

 

[icandrawem2]

Here are a couple shots I took of the launch last night from Titusville. I really need to invest in a quality tripod...you can view the rest of them here.

 

[Figment1986]

Last nights launch was very bright in the sky and you could see the boosters fall without binoculars from my yard which is about 35 miles south. From here we did hear the rumble bnut not sure you can in Orlando.

I live in Tampa and since it was dusk it was perfect to see the shuttle take off... I too saw the boosters detach and fall along with the shuttle going much further than we usually see.

I would imagine the sight of lift off from near the cape is incredible.

 

[scpergj]

Here's what I took from up in the Jacksonville area:

The next one is after booster seperation - pretty cool from this far (around 130 miles)

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18-200 3.5-4.6 VR. Second shot was at 200mm.

 

[cattprez]

But with all launches the shuttles are on the pad weeks or even months in advance. The tours will get you a long distance look at one on the pad.
If you did want to see the launch without fighting the traffic yourself, there are bus tours from Orlando that will get you to an area to watch from. You will be able to see a launch from Disney property. it is not the same as being in the area, but you might see a light and the white smoke trail it leaves as it flies. Last nights launch was very bright in the sky and you could see the boosters fall without binoculars from my yard which is about 35 miles south. From here we did hear the rumble bnut not sure you can in Orlando.

do u know of the bus tour names? i really dont fancy being in traffic for like 4 hours to drive home...

 

[wvugeoggrad]

Great pics of the launch! I used to live in Melbourne and got to see quite a few launches. I also was lucky enough to be at the Space Center for one and that was just awesome!

 

[Rabflmom]

Great pics of the launch! I used to live in Melbourne and got to see quite a few launches. I also was lucky enough to be at the Space Center for one and that was just awesome!

Pre 911 we used to get the free passes from the tech company my husband worked for in the area. we got one for every launch we could. Before that our neighbor on the landing team for Lockheed always got us in. Those were the good old days. Now we watch from the yard or head to the beach.

 

[miniss]

Blizzard Beach as a Space shuttle launch viewing area

Hi!

I definately know that at Blizzard Beach, at the top where summit plumit and Teamboat springs is located, when you are lining up to go on Teamboat springs then look dew west and if the skys are clear then you should see the space shuttle go up. I did see a space shuttle when i went there last and i didn't know there was a launch. But i would recommend Blizzard Beach to see the launch if you want to stay in WDW and still see the launch. Hope that helps!

Tristan

 

[icandrawem2]

do u know of the bus tour names? i really dont fancy being in traffic for like 4 hours to drive home...

Wow! If you can drive from Canaveral to Australia in 4 hours then Im impressed!! Im only kidding, but when I left the other night it took me 2 hours to get from where i parked in Titusville to I-95, only 4 or 5 miles away! So yeah if you arent the biggest fan of traffic I recommend you watch it from your house

 

[scottnj1966]

Space Shuttle from Sunday March 15th 2009

howdy all, on may 12. so far there is a shuttle launch and my mum and i would love to see it but cannot get there as we do not want to go to the space centre with a million other people, we were wondering if the shuttle would be on the launch pad on the 11th? as it takes ages to roll out.... and also.. where is the best spot in WDW to view a shuttle in the sky? where could we go if its an early morning shuttle launch???

im so excited!!! 53 days till im in wdw!!!!!

Here is an idea of what you would see if you time it just right.
This was from Sunday

http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/sts119shuttle.htm