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Author
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Topic: Shuttle Launch Viewing
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hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-16-2006 05:56 PM
   
I guess after checking around that the old "car passes" that we could get to view Shuttle launches are no longer available? I remember we could drive our cars onto the causeway between the Cape Industrial Area and the old Cape Launch facilities and watch a launch across the water. It was a great way to go but I suppose security must have something to do with this. Anyone have any recommendations on the best way to view the next launch for those of us without official business or connections? Thanks. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-16-2006 06:32 PM
You can still go to that same causeway, which is the closest public site (8 miles to 39B) but you must pay for it. They sell tickets about a month out, at www.kennedyspacecenter.com. Here is a launch viewing guide. If you don't want to pay, Titusville (11 miles) is the best place:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-16-2006 09:17 PM
bring back car passes! have bomb sniffing dogs doing vehical inspections heard some hotels that are multie level on on the shore allow people view from their roofs in Cape Canaveral...is this accurate? |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-16-2006 09:31 PM
Yea they do, but that's pretty far away...15-20 miles. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-17-2006 06:47 AM
In my opinion, security is just their excuse for not having to deal with the hastle of the public and the traffic.When they did issue car passes, they had enough security to herd everyone into the proper place. Once you were there, you were there for the duration, because of all the cars, you couldn't go anywhere anyway. Bombs....what the heck are you going to destroy on the causeway? They can spend $500K for a scrubbed launch attempt on a day when they knew they weren't going to launch and more money bringing everyone in on a federal holiday for a launch, when they knew that Wednesday's weather was going to be fine, but they can't spend a few more bucks on security so the public might be able to witness these launches close up and by that way, garner more support. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-17-2006 05:14 PM
For ejectr--It isn't that simple as one may think. The national security agencies (i.e. Homeland, the Dept. of Defense, and others) decide or such procedures and policies that control public access and all related security factors that involve a Shuttle launch viewing. Many high-up folks within NASA, especially here at Kennedy, would love to get more people on the base for close-up launch opportunities. Unfortunately, 9/11 has changed all of that in the world we live in today, and it would probably never be the same again. |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-18-2006 08:46 AM
I completely understand your point Ken, even though I regret it has to be that way. The Cape & Merritt Island facilities are so expansive that I can imagine it would be extremely difficult to catch someone with bad motives. Terrorists of today actively hide within civilian populations so a flood of launch viewers on the Cape could be a real problem. Hopefully that will change or those of us on this forum could get together and see if we could, as a group, get better access. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-22-2006 03:24 PM
From someone@nasa.gov: quote:
Following Sept 11, 2001, NASA discontinued issuing causeway passes for launch viewings. Headquarters has decided to reinstitute the process on a small scale. A limited number of STS-115 causeway passes will be available to civil servants. It is expected that a wider distribution of passes will be allowed on future missions, assuming the STS-115 process runs smoothly.
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lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-23-2006 10:45 AM
OH YES!!!! STOMP!!! STOMP!!!!expected that a wider distribution of passes will be allowed on future missions, please increase the distribution for STS-116!!! I will whole heartly with a smiley face and gigglely come to the launch.
(cause I am on vacation that whole month) |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 09-10-2006 03:36 PM
will causeway passes be distributed for STS-116?how soon will we know? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-10-2006 03:45 PM
I am only guessing, but by "wider distribution" I would assume NASA is referring to more civil servants rather than an immediate return to the public. Of course, if I'm wrong, the news will be posted here as promptly as its released. |
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