posted 10-06-2008 02:28 PM               

Launch ticket orders cannot be placed via email or by leaving a voice mail message. You must place your order online or by speaking to a reservation agent.

STS-126 is targeted to launch on November 14 at 7:55 p.m. EDT on a logistics, supply & repair mission to the International Space Station.

posted 10-07-2008 03:12 PM            

I see two options listed at the Kennedy Space Center. Launch viewing transportation and admissions package at $56.00. Launch viewing from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for $38.00. What is the best value here? Is the added price of the first package worth it? Can you get just as good of a view from outside Kennedy?

How fast will these tickets go? Do I need to be on line at 9:00 sharp Wednesday to get a chance at the closer tickets?

posted 10-07-2008 03:21 PM               

The second is for viewing from the Visitor Complex and you'll have to wait until it clears the tree line to see it.

After that is viewing from the river bank in Titusville. Your 12 miles away (as the crow flies) but it's free (save for some parking areas).

Enjoy! I know I will.

posted 10-07-2008 07:21 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by spaceman48263:
I just found out that my wife is sending me to see the STS-126 launch for my 50th birthday.

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The Launch Transportation Ticket (LTT) packages literally sell out within minutes. You need to be on line refreshing the order page a few minutes before 9:00 AM tomorrow.

When the tickets go on sale be prepared to type in your info accurately instead of in a hurry, but don't waste time. I learned this from experience - if you have to backspace there is a very good chance you won't get the tickets! Have all of your personal info in a ready-to-glance-at state. Write down your credit card number, exp. date and three digit security code found on the back of your credit card on a piece of paper so you can keep your hands on the keyboard.

To have a better chance at getting an LTT package opt for the "Premium Launch Package Launch Viewing Transportation, Admission and Dine with an Astronaut". This is the more expensive LTT package but tends to sell out after the cheaper LTT/Admission package. Not a bad deal though. You get a buffet meal, be audience to an astronaut's brief lecture about their career, get an autographed photo of the astronaut and get to participate in an open Q & A session with the astronaut too. Also, most will pose for photos after the meal.

If that's not your cup of tea then simply click on either option when ordering, as you have the choice of 12:30 PM or 3:00 PM for this particular launch.

The LTT packages will get you to the causeway between KSC and Cape Canaveral, just six miles from Launch Pad A. This is as close as the public can get. From here you can see the shuttle lift off from the pad and hear the roar of the launch about thirty seconds later!

I've never been at the KSC Visitor Complex during a shuttle launch but I know for sure you cannot see the launch from the pad.

As far as I know you can't get into KSC on launch day without the already paid for car placard that comes with the LTT packages in advance. If I didn't have an LTT I'd watch the launch from U.S. 1 in Titusville. It's about twelve miles away but you can see it launch in full glory from off the launch pad!

posted 11-06-2008 11:23 PM               

On Friday, Nov. 14, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts a front-row seat to watch Oregon astronaut Don Pettit launch into space aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavour STS-126. OMSI will be showing the lift-off in the planetarium live via satellite on NASA TV beginning at 4:00 p.m., with the shuttle's launch scheduled at 4:55 p.m. PDT. Admission for the televised launch is free.

posted 11-11-2008 05:56 AM               

NASA Announces Space Shuttle Prelaunch and Mission Web Coverage

A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts, pictures and videos will highlight NASA's Web coverage of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour is scheduled to lift off Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:55 p.m. EST.

A webcast Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. will start the in-depth online coverage of the mission. Host Damon Talley of NASA's Digital Learning Network will preview the mission, and Endeavour Flow Director Ken Tenbusch will take viewers behind the scenes at America's spaceport as he explains the high-stakes work of preparing a shuttle for a mission in space.

A blog will provide launch countdown updates beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 14. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch.

During Endeavour's 15-day mission, the shuttle's seven crew members will deliver supplies and equipment necessary to double the station crew size from three to six members and will make four spacewalks to service the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun.

Visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the spacewalks live. As Endeavour's flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the spacecraft's return to Earth.

posted 11-12-2008 03:34 AM               

Enjoy the launch guys!

Robert, please, since I cannot see the launch in Spain via TV... which one is the correct link to NASA TV where I could see it?

Thank you so much.

posted 11-13-2008 06:25 AM               

NASA TV to Air Clean Feed of Endeavour's STS-126 Countdown

NASA Television will provide a continuous clean video feed on its Media Channel of space shuttle Endeavour in the hours before its 7:55 p.m. EST liftoff on Nov. 14.

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., video will show one stationary wide shot of Endeavour on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The feed will include live audio of communications between launch controllers and the shuttle but not the commentary airing on NASA TV's Public Channel. NASA TV commentary will air on both channels beginning approximately nine minutes before the scheduled launch time at the conclusion of what is known as the T minus 9 minute hold in the launch countdown.

posted 11-13-2008 05:10 PM               

I've stayed on after the ASF show and will be on the causeway courtesy of Gator tours. Would be good to meet any other cS'ers.

posted 11-14-2008 05:52 AM               

Wearing all black today, ponytail and glasses. Say hello if you see me.

I'll be taking one of the last busses out to the causeway, just in case there is an early scrub so I have a better chance of retaining my LTT!

posted 11-14-2008 11:12 PM               

The launch was spectacular, with the almost full moon rising behind the Titan gantry and lighting up the smoke trails. Shuttle was visible for over 10 minutes and SRB sep was clearly visible. This was my second launch in a row and I thought 124 was impressive, but this was something else. The suddenness of the sky lighting up after sitting there in the dark for 2 hours was astonishing. Truly a wonderful sight.

Got a few photos which I'll post tomorrow.

Looked for you Rob, but sadly couldn't find you.

posted 11-15-2008 05:32 AM               

NASA & DNPS did a great job of putting people in place. I only wish getting them out would be as efficient. We didn't get home to Titusville until 10:30. Bryan we should have gotten in line for the buses when we saw you.

My family now has a better understanding of why I enjoy this so much. They were very impressed and that isn't easy. Even my 15 month old grandson said "Wow!" He was a trooper staying awake past his bedtime but as soon as we got back to the car in the VC parking lot he crashed and went to sleep.

Jorge in honor of our partnership I toasted the launch by saying "vaya con Dios" - go with God. It was really special to see our artwork blaze a trail into space. Muchas Gracias Mi Amigo.

Prior to launch I had the pleasure of meeting Mario Runco. He signed my Space Shuttles The First 20 Years book. He lamented the fact that we might be walking away from the ISS to return to the Moon just as we're on the cusp of getting scientific return on our investment.

During the T-9 minute hold I met Tom Stafford and presented him with one of my 50 year patches. I mentioned that he had politely turned me down to design the ASTP patch "as the Soviet crew commander is an accomplished artist" but that I had persevered and the 126 crew was carrying (our) art. He congratulated me for hanging in there.

A special night that rivals my father and I watching Apollo 17 from next to the VAB. It's not only the event but who you share it with that makes the memory special. The local news mentioned how Shane Kimbrough used to watch launches with his grandfather from Titusville when he was a kid. Maybe one day my grandson will hold these days just as close.

Tim

posted 11-15-2008 06:11 AM               

It has been a very special moment for me. Since my youth I wish to participate anyway with NASA. And finally I get it thanks to Tim. Now we have part of our talent in the space... and by the ISS and the history always be there. THANK YOU.

posted 11-16-2008 03:23 PM               

The painted shuttle models displayed at the Shuttle Plaza looked great. Tim, you did a fine job on both of yours! Most kept to a space theme while others were devoted to some of the local wildlife. One even used broken pieces of mirrior and another cut news clippings. All of them were very impressive.

Though there was some cloud coverage during mid-morning the sky got clearer as the day went on. At the causeway I could see more than a few stars in the sky, and that was standing about 30 yards from the floodlights west of the busses. And then the Moon rose. Ah! What a beautiful sight. A full Moon to the right and Endeavour to the left! The crowd roared as it was announced on the loudspeakers that everything had been cleared for launch.

I had the opportunity to speak with a gentleman from England who was standing next to me while waiting for the launch who had tried five other times to come over and experience a shuttle launch. One was an abort. One was due to a death in his family and the rest was because of last minute personal or job related changes before leaving for Florida. He told me that he had made a point to save enough holiday time at his job to finally come see a launch. He told his co-workers that if Endeavour didn't launch on time that no one would see him until it did! He added that his wife wasn't too thrilled about that! I told him about what to expect when the launch occurs, that he would see a lot of steam and exhaust, then the equivalent of a welder's torch as the shuttle cleared the tower and then the sound of the SRBs and main engines thirty seconds later. I told him about collectSPACE, so perhaps we'll have a new member once he returns home.

I watched Endeavour as she flew a more vertical and northerly direction than I had expected. The first few seconds of all shuttle launches at night are so bright I swear you could read the fine print at the bottom of a contract while facing away from the launch pad! Endeavour had risen well into the sky and the exhaust trail was quite distinct when the roar of the launch hit the causeway half a minute later. The sky was so clear that I watched her until I heard the call to MECO on the loudspeakers.

After the launch it was exactly 9:08 when I turned left at the traffic light at the KSC entrance on my way back home. When I finally reached U.S. 1, which I think is about a 6 mile stretch or so, it was 10:43! An hour and thirty five minutes bumper to bumper! My previous record wait was only a 'short' 55 minutes! And when I reached the drawbridge just before the U.S. 1 exit I looked in my rearview mirror to see what looked like a double strand of Christmas lights going back as far as the eye could see! I'm sure those and others continuing on to I-95 and/or Orlando waited a lot longer than I did!

For those who haven't been to a shuttle launch this only happens when the KSCVC is closing after a launch. If you attend a launch even during pre-dawn hours there will be no problem leaving as everyone will be staying there to enjoy the visitor complex. The later the launch, the more time it takes to leave. I don't know of the launch times of any future missions but I'm hoping they'll be in the morning hours!

posted 11-17-2008 01:42 PM               

I don't know what was worse on my flight down. Sitting behind a New York Jet fan with a Bret Favre tee shirt and seeing that all the way down (Patriots lost to the Jets the night before) or the two kids kicking my seat and their mother singing to them the whole way down. Newark NJ airport stinks..

I arrived in the afternoon on Friday and had a chance to attend a launch reception before the night activities. I got there very late but was able to talk to friends and talk to a current astronaut about his upcoming flight.

I arrived to KSC with very little traffic about 4 hours before hand. No problems parking either. I walked around had a snack and got in line to board the buses. Spent an hour or so waiting with some nice people and a JSC employee.

The Saturn Five area was packed but was able to meet up with Tim. Tim has a very nice family except the grandkid wasn't wearing any Red Sox garb. I said hi to some astronauts who were doing the family support or PR stuff that night. Saw many ex astronauts in the crowd. Everyone was having a great time.

I always find a nice spot to view the launches and this was not any different. The crowd was electrified as the countdown went under 9 minutes. The launch was spectacular. The best nighttime one I have seen. The sound and the sights were awesome. Did anyone else see the ripple effect as the orbiter went through a cloud? That would make a fantastic picture.

It did take me over two hours to go from KSC to Titusville but I just rolled down the windows and listen to some tunes. The Best Western in Titusville was a good place to stay.

Saturday was a totally free day. I caught Mark Lee at the Astronaut Encounter, took a look at the fine shuttle statues. Great job Tim. Yours was up there as one of the best. Spent lots of money at the gift shop too.

Went to the Space Shirt store and I guess I missed Jan Davis by a few minutes. That is a nice little store as well run by some very nice ladies. Shirts are different then KSC and they carry many back missions as well.

Then headed down to see Winston Scott talk and sign books in Melbourne. Winston is a great guy and if you do not own his book, shame on you. I went down with Gerhard and saw his museum in Germany via laptop. If you do not go and you live in Europe, shame on you. I plan on visiting in the next few years because I am not allowed to go back to KSC until I take the wife and kids to Italy, Ireland, Germany and England.

Then it was back to KSC and the HOF. They made some changes to the shuttle wing since I was there last (June). Overall they did a great job and it gave me ideas as to how to do my exhibit.

Flew back home on Sunday. Only one delay again in Newark- no flight attendant so the flight was delayed about a half hour.

posted 11-17-2008 04:37 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by spaceman48263:
How do you get tickets to view a launch from the Saturn Five Center?

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posted 11-19-2008 11:02 AM            

Though things like the ATV and Progress can partially fill the logistical/supply role, they cannot match the heavy lift capability of the shuttle. Nor can they get extra hands on board that are required to make these large changes to the ISS.

posted 11-20-2008 10:05 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Meek:
Looks like spacewalker Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper has joined an elite club populated by such luminaries as Ed White who lost a thermal glove on his EVA.

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Astronauts never swear or do they refrain themselves knowing that they're "on air"? Wonder which one is more difficult!