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Author
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Topic: Viewing Delta IV launches from LC-37B (CCAFS)
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Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 07-27-2013 09:23 PM
   
What is the best place to see and photograph Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base?I just want to capture the Delta 4 launch on Aug. 7. Maybe the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or Rocket Garden or visitor parking lot will do fine? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-27-2013 09:25 PM
Quoting Ben Cooper's excellent launch viewing guide: The best and generally closest viewing for Delta 4 launches off Pad 37... is from Port Canaveral on Route 401. At 8.6 miles clear across water — the Banana River — the view is perfect and the sound and rumble can both be decently loud......equally distant, the Saturn V Center does offer a clear view and is also just over 8 miles from the pad; a good possibility if you prefer to combine your viewing with a tour. The Visitor Complex is only about a mile closer, and has no good view of the pad. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-27-2013 09:34 PM
Thanks, Robert.The best view is down at Route 401/Port Canaveral as mentioned (8.6 miles), though you can be a little closer without a good view at the parking lot (7 miles) as you said (though, I am not sure if you can get in there after hours anymore). Similarly, yes, there are other places you could pull over on the side of the road (though not closer) and watch it come up from behind the trees or whatever is there. I recommend just doing the Port for the best experience for this launch. It will be very pretty again, just after sunset. I'd guess it is unlikely the Visitor Complex will remain open for this one or sell viewing tickets, because they did not for the previous Delta IV (WGS-5) in May which was at the same time. But, that remains to be seen. With Atlantis open now and it being summer, it is possible they will. I update the guide (and try to remember to reply here) for each launch when information becomes available. |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 07-28-2013 02:28 PM
Thanks Robert and Ben. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-28-2013 10:07 PM
Ben deserves the credit, I only related what his guide says, and then he elaborated above. He's the expert when it comes to launch viewing (and photographing). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-30-2013 03:41 PM
As it turns out, the Visitor Complex is staying open, if you desire to view from there: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Offers Public Viewing of Nighttime Delta 4 Rocket Launch on Aug. 7Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests can enjoy viewing a dramatic nighttime launch when a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket lifts off from SLC-37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The launch window is from 8:29 p.m. to 9:18 p.m.
Viewing the launch from the Visitor Complex is included in regular admission and features live mission control commentary. Guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs to the viewing area.
Leading up to the opening of the launch window, guests may meet the first space shuttle Atlantis commander, Karol "Bo" Bobko, at the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 877-313-2610 and visit KennedySpaceCenter.com. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-30-2013 04:17 PM
Okay, so your choices are a nice view at Port Canaveral/Route 401 (8.6 miles) versus paid-admission at the Visitor Complex (or out in the parking lot) where there is no view of the pad, but it is a bit closer at 7 miles. Good luck! |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 07-31-2013 06:26 PM
I'll try the 401 route for this... and see how it works out. Thanks guys. |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-04-2013 12:45 PM
I hope to make the trip to see the launch, and see Atlantis at KSC. Any members here planning to get together at some point? Or if there will be gatherings to watch the liftoff please let me know. |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 08-07-2013 08:52 PM
Thanks Ben for pointing out that spot near 401, smooth nice impressive launch. Lots of people there, heading home now. Best clear sight ever. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-08-2013 02:24 PM
I am glad to hear it, and it was a very pretty launch to have seen. |
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 119
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 08-10-2013 06:21 PM
Usually if you are badged for KSC or CCAFS you can go out on NASA Causeway to watch launches, however this time a very eager security officer was racing up and down the Causeway chasing people away.So, I headed over to Static Test Road which borders the western shore of the Banana River, and filmed the launch. You can watch on YouTube: I'm not responsible for the folks talking loudly in the background. Cinema verite.  |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-10-2013 08:08 PM
They closed most but not all of the causeway for the toxic plume wind direction Wednesday (as sometimes happens). The very eastern end remained open though, this time. |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-11-2013 11:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by SpaceKSCBlog:
So, I headed over to Static Test Road which borders the western shore of the Banana River, and filmed the launch.
Wow...great video!Static Static Test Rd. looks very close to Pad 37. Is it less than 2 miles? |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-11-2013 11:08 PM
It is 3.1 miles. That area and the causeway are all good areas to view a Delta IV. Nice video! |
Frewi80
Member Posts: 120
From: Hawaii. Waipahu
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 08-12-2013 11:08 AM
The NASA Causeway isn't that the road leading to the visitor complex? Do you need special permit to go there when there is a launch (?), isn't that open to the public? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-12-2013 11:20 AM
The stretch of State Road 405/NASA Parkway that connects Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral is referred to as the NASA Causeway. It is not publicly accessible (you need a NASA or Air Force ID) unless the Visitor Complex arranges transportation. |
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