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Author
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Topic: STS-134: Viewing, questions, and comments
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2011 10:21 AM
   
STS-134: mission viewing, questions, comments This thread is intended for comments and questions regarding the STS-134 mission and the reports published as part of collectSPACE's STS-134 Flight Day Journal. STS-134 will bring to the International Space Station (ISS) the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a state-of-the-art cosmic ray particle physics detector designed to examine fundamental issues about matter and the origin and structure of the universe. The mission will also carry the third Express Logistics Carrier (ELC-3) with spare parts for the station, including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields. Mark Kelly will command STS-134, which is targeted to launch on the final flight of Endeavour and the penultimate mission of the space shuttle program in April 2011. Greg "Box" Johnson will serve as pilot. STS-131 mission specialists are Mike Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Drew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2011 10:25 AM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announcement Registration Now Open for Final Launch of Space Shuttle EndeavourRegister now for the opportunity to purchase STS-134 launch-viewing tickets. This feature ensures a fair opportunity for all who are interested in purchasing launch-viewing tickets. This seven-day window is the only time to register for the opportunity to purchase tickets. Registration closes on March 9 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and registrants will be selected at random for the opportunity to purchase tickets. Those selected will be notified via e-mail. Launch Scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at 7:48 p.m. ET
Launch time and date subject to change. Witness the final launch of space shuttle Endeavour as Commander Mark Kelly and the six-member crew of STS-134 embark on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-02-2011 11:28 AM
Can't believe that Endeavour's last mission is about a month away! Can't wait. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-02-2011 02:13 PM
I can't wait either! Courtesy of my work I will be in Orlando for the launch. If they move the date you will all hear me scream from here in the UK! |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-02-2011 05:46 PM
I plan on going obviously. It's my first shuttle launch, which makes it even more exciting for me. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-09-2011 06:28 PM
I'm going to be there, but I can only stay for the 19th. What are the chances that it will be scrubbed? (Which I hope won't happen) |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-09-2011 07:40 PM
We have plane reservations!! Going down the 17th and not coming back until the 30th. So hopefully even if there are delays, we might still get to see it. Plus it will be great to escape to some nice warm weather! Looking forward to my first shuttle launch.  Also, with sunset occurring a few minutes later, it should be a gorgeous evening for a launch! |
Davejfb
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted 03-10-2011 07:11 AM
I'm new here, so this is my first post. I'm from Holland, and I want to come to the launch too. I hope to book my plane ticket, hotel and car around the 12th. And I hope to see it. Hail Endeavour! And please don't do what your sister did. Let us not wait please! Go on time and give us a hell of a show! |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 03-10-2011 08:27 AM
During the STS-133 landing coverage on CNN, it was said that NASA expected up to 500,000 viewers for STS-134, and as many as 1 million for 135!Now that's in the ballpark of the number that was at the Cape for Apollo 11, and it's sad that it takes the final flight of the shuttle for that many to turn out. Perhaps this is due to the fact that there is no viable replacement for the orbiters, and much of the general public has the feeling that this is the end of the U.S. manned space program.  |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-10-2011 09:39 AM
I went out to KSC to watch STS-131 launch back in April '10. I was expecting big queues at security and then out at the viewing spot. Not at all, it was straight in through the main doors and quiet out at the Causeway, well it seemed it to me. I think that a 6am launch was a contributing factor as it meant staying up the whole night.STS-134 will be a bit busier, methinks. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-10-2011 09:48 AM
I was planning on doing some of the extras (lunch with astronaut, then and now tour, etc) but they are all canceled on launch days. I get why you can't go by the pad the day of launch (disappointment for me though. Seeing the shuttle is the only reason why I would do the Today and Tomorrow tour), but why do they not have the astronaut lunch open on the 19th? |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-10-2011 09:36 PM
Just out of curiosity, Endeavour was fitted with SSMEs 2059 (engine 1: fifth flight, entered service 2007 with STS-117); 2061 (engine 2: second flight, first flew on STS-130); and 2057 (sixth flight, first was STS-114.) So it looks like the newest orbiter has some of the newest engines. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-12-2011 10:43 PM
Any one know if any former astronauts will be attending the launch? I would think that since this is the last confirmed (well last one with funding) shuttle mission that some former astronauts would attend. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-15-2011 09:13 AM
All very strange! KSC send me an e-mail asking me to register for the opportunity to buy viewing tickets. OK, done. Nothing received at all with regards to success or failure, even though they said they would notify of both scenarios, but I now just receive a KSC e-mail telling me that 'some' viewing tickets are left for sale and will be up for grabs tomorrow morning. '...left for sale'? When did they ever go on sale? They have only just appeared on the site showing that the Causeway is sold out. I would love to know when those tickets were released and to whom? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-15-2011 09:21 AM
Those who were selected by the lottery to purchase launch transportation tickets were notified by e-mail over the weekend and the sale was held Monday morning. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-15-2011 09:28 AM
Same thing here, but no email as of yet with ticket sales. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-15-2011 01:26 PM
Robert, thanks for the update. My problem, or misunderstanding, is that the original registration e-mail said that 'all' would be informed as to whether they did or did not successfully apply/register for the opportunity to purchase tickets, Obviously, since the best have gone already, I was unlucky and didn't win in that lottery. Still haven't been told that yet since the e-mail I received today makes absolutely no mention of that fact. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 03-15-2011 02:17 PM
I was not informed that I was not selected to buy launch tickets either. I suspect they were overwhelmed with requests, many from people with no intent to actually attend the launch themselves -- those folks will just list the tickets for sale on e-Bay at $500 each or more. There are too many to list here: - 260752588690 ($2,295 starting for 4 causeway tix - seller in CA)
- 270720247677 ($1,095 starting for 2 causeway tix)
- 220754532845 ($4,499 for 6 causeway tix plus 6 dine with an astronaut tix -- this is a professional ticket broker)
- 360352035126 ($3,799 for 5 causeway tix plus 5 dine with an astronaut tix, same broker as above ... this broker has 28 causeway tix for sale on e-Bay)
- 370492467237 ($1,895 for 2 causeway tix plus dine with astronaut tix, another ticket broker)
Well, you get the picture. I hope some actual space program enthusiasts actually got tickets.Oh well. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 03-15-2011 03:16 PM
As much as I'd love to view from Causeway, the price and traffic make watching from whatever hotel I'd stay at and/or Titusville Space View Park seem not so bad.Yes, I know, I'm kidding myself.
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AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-15-2011 05:47 PM
We're renting a condo in Titusville with a balcony view across the river. Not as close, perhaps, but way more feasible for my soon to be 88 year old grandmother. |
Walter II
Member Posts: 36
From: WV
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 03-15-2011 06:11 PM
I had the privilege of attending last weeks rollout of Endeavour. Here are a few photos from the rollout, she looked great! 
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Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-15-2011 09:12 PM
I also didn't receive my usual 'No, you didn't win a chance at getting a KSC LTT this time either' email. I called Gator Tours and found out they don't know when they will be selling their tickets. They said they'd be sending out emails when they get the word from KSC. |
space_coast
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted 03-15-2011 09:57 PM
I did receive an e-mail today from KSC. Congratulations! A limited number of tickets to view the launch of STS-134 Space Shuttle Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center are still available for purchase. As a benefit to registering for the initial launch ticket opportunity, we are extending you the opportunity to purchase up to six (6) launch viewing tickets during a special one-day sale. Going on sale Thursday at 9 a.m. for those invited to purchase them. Still seems like a long shot yet I will try. I was fortunate to get causeway tickets for STS-126 and it was absolutely perfect in every way. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-15-2011 10:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Walter II:
I had the privilege of attending last weeks rollout of Endeavour.
Walt, great photos! I envy you a bit. I'm 99% sure that I am getting tickets because I emailed and called my local Congressman requesting tickets. That was back when it was going to be the second to last launch with 133 being the last one in July of 2010. I sent my request in (according to my Congressman's office) late January or early February of 2010. When I contacted them (once again. I contacted them each time the date was moved and each time I got the same reply 'your request is still good.") on the first of this month they said that they just got the email from NASA that morning saying NASA just got done with the Congressional request list and will be contacting the people within the next few weeks. I was assured that I was near the top of the list so I know I have a very good chance of getting the tickets. For free I might add. The downside is that I will only be able to be at KSC for the 19th, then I have to head home the next morning, so I really want it to launch on the 19th. STS-134 is really special to me for a few reasons. - My first shuttle launch
- It's Endeavour, with whom I share a history with.
The Endeavour launched on her first mission the year I was born and my first KSC visit was the day of the STS-89 rollout. I have photos of it going to the pad. You can see the ET, the SRBs and the back of the shuttle. Well the wing tips and down, with the exception of the parts that were covered by the ET.
At times, seeing this mission was one of the few things that kept me going for the past year or so, especially for the last eight-nine months. Back in September, I got diagnosed with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy about two and a half weeks or so after turning 18. That really got to me because I couldn't drive for six months. That combined with some other stuff like not being able to get a job (almost no job market where I live), starting college and not having my best friends around really got to me. Through all of that, one of the things I kept looking forward to was the launch of STS-134. I've carried the mission patch in my pocket since it first came out as a little good luck charm I guess. In a way, I need to see this launch. Seeing this launch will somehow just make all I went though worth it. Sorry for the little speech, but I just needed to get that out there and I figured that this is the best place to say it. You guys get it, where if I tried to explain it any where else, it wouldn't be the same. I know that my woes of the past few months aren't that bad compared to all of those in Japan and I feel a bit ashamed to complain about something that happened in the past, I just needed to... I don't know... I guess try to justify.... justify isn't the right word... I guess I just want to explain how important this launch is to me. Last month, I wrote to Mark Kelly, telling him how excited I am about the launch. It's the second letter I sent to one of the 134 crew. Last year I wrote a letter Chamitoff, asking if he could answer some questions for a sociology project. Never got back to me. But yea, overall I am really excited about this launch! |
Neil Aldrin
Member Posts: 84
From:
Registered: Feb 2010
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posted 03-16-2011 06:34 PM
I am sorry to hear about your health issues and I hope that you do get to see the launch. You will not be disappointed. My experience at STS-132 plays on a loop in the back of my mind.Good Luck! |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-16-2011 06:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by space_coast:
I did receive an e-mail today from KSC.
I got the same email yesterday. It's vague in the wording and description, or lack of, but I took the line "A limited number of tickets to view the launch of STS-134 Space Shuttle Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center are still available for purchase" to mean these are tickets to watch from the visitor center and not the causeway, which is indicated to be "sold out" in the email. Am I reading this wrong?If you want to see Endeavour actually leave the pad with your own eyes you cannot do so from the visitor center. If not the causeway, along U.S. 1 in Titusville is your best bet, and you'd get a big head start on outbound traffic. |
space_coast
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-16-2011 07:04 PM
Rob, you are correct that they are for the visitor center only. Causeway tickets are sold out already. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-17-2011 12:56 PM
Notices are now being sent to those who were not chosen to purchase tickets. Thank you for registering for the opportunity to purchase viewing tickets for the launch of STS-134 space shuttle Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center. Unfortunately, your entry was not selected for the STS-134 launch ticket purchase opportunity. The e-mail also notes that tour companies will begin sales for Causeway tickets. There are a limited number of NASA Causeway and Visitor Complex viewing tickets available through local tour operator companies. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Friday, March 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET through the following tour companies. Due to the expected high call volume we strongly suggest using the online system to reserve your tickets through the tour operators.Florida Dolphin Tours, Inc.
407-352-4646 Gray Line of Orlando (Gator Tours)
407-522-5911 |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-17-2011 06:25 PM
The Gator Tours total price will be $185 for 1 adult causeway ticket package. That's $165 for the ticket and $20 for "shipping". I guess they're mailing the tickets this time. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-18-2011 06:04 PM
Well, that was fun trying to get a ticket for the Causeway. Got one! But it took 3 hours, 20 minutes!!! That's progress for you!! |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-18-2011 06:13 PM
Congrats! |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-19-2011 04:53 AM
I feel a bit sorry for Gray Line/Gator who took the brunt of all the complaints and criticism, including mine to be truthful. However, they are in the hands of their hosting company. If they swear that their servers will support the traffic how do Gator prove otherwise until the hits start coming in. Gator did not deliberately go out to alienate huge numbers of customers, and they undoubtedly wanted to sell as many tickets as they could without all the headaches.
Unfortunately there must be large numbers of people who had waited eagerly for 12 noon to arrive and didn't get their tickets due to the problems. |
NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 03-19-2011 07:23 AM
Unfortunately that was me. I was not picked for the lottery and was unable to score tickets through Gator (for me and my two young daughters). I tried for several hours. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-19-2011 11:56 AM
Sorry to hear that NC Apollo Fan. I missed out on the Causeway lottery but had a code for KSCVC viewing. I decided to pass on that and wait for Gator to come up trumps. Very nearly got caught out but got there in the end. I see that Gator/GL are still offering KSCVC viewing tickets as I type. When I was there last April for STS-131 (Causeway ticket) there was a real party atmosphere going on at the KSCVC and it would still be good to join. Others may come along and give their opinions of the location. The beauty of Gator/GL/Dolphin is that they do all the driving in the traffic. |
mikeyVR4
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted 03-21-2011 02:33 PM
I am wondering what the odds are for a launch on the date of 4/19. I am wondering when I should plan on purchasing airline tickets to go see it. I read somewhere that its wise to wait after "ordnance" but not sure exactly if that has happened already. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-21-2011 08:42 PM
According to Buzz Aldrin's website, he will be at KSC for the launch on the 19th. When/if I go, I will get a chance to see my first Apollo astronaut! Makes it even more exciting! |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 03-22-2011 08:04 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fezman92:
According to Buzz Aldrin's website, he will be at KSC for the launch on the 19th.
He may be at KSC, but he may not do any public appearances. If you have a pass to view the launch from the VIP site, you might have a shot at meeting him though. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-22-2011 08:34 AM
Thanks for the tip. I'm still waiting to hear from NASA on my VIP request. I called their Congressional office and left a message yesterday. Due to all of the launch delays, my request has been in for just over a year now |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-23-2011 11:32 AM
I got the tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy!!!!! |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-23-2011 06:41 PM
Not that it matters now, but could anyone apply for VIP launch tickets at the VIP site? Was it necessary to know your Congressman or Senator well? |
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