Advice for viewing the last space shuttle launch

Hi all. I'm considering taking my two and a half year old boy to Florida to see the last Space Shuttle mission in September. I've never seen a launch in person, let alone been to Florida, so I was wondering about hotels and other sights around Kennedy Space Center. George loves rockets, and I'd love to see the last shuttle launch with him as nobody knows when NASA will develop a replacement programme. Has anyone been to a launch, and if so, what do you reccomend I see and where should I stay?
Many thanks

 

They already have a replacement program developed--Ares I rockets. Here was the launch of the Ares I-X test flight: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ares_I-X_launch_08.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares_I-X

As of now, the current last flight (STS-133) is no earlier than (NET) Sept 16th. It will probably get pushed back from then so I wouldn't buy plane tickets yet.

You can read more about that flight here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-133

NASA sells launch viewing tickets, but I'd imagine they would sell out quick to the public. I'd suggest viewing it from Jetty Park: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=jetty+park+fl&aq=f&aqi=g10&oq=&fp=435311d5ec9ae78f

It costs money to get in there, but you can have a nice view.

I will try to see that last launch up close so hopefully no other plans prevent that from happening. A good place to visit while down there is the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex. Lots of cool stuff and a tour is included with admission. I think you can pay extra for an "up close" tour, which takes the bus to one of the launch pads if not more. Buying your tickets online is cheaper and avoids waiting in line at the gate. Plus, you can get the ticket stamped when you leave to come back to visit again within 48 hours (maybe longer, can't remember) to see the rest.

They have two IMAX 3D short films (one I saw was about the moon landings narrated by Tom Hanks). There is a "ride" that simulated a shuttle launch and actually swivels you 90 degrees as if you're sitting in the shuttle. The shopping place there has a lot of stuff you may want to buy your son...they even have a framed piece of all 12 astronauts' signatures that walked on the moon ($30,000 !).

The bus tour stops at a few destinations...one of which is the Saturn V center. Pretty cool stuff there. I took all these pics and put them on wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo-Saturn_V_Center

Hope that helps.

 

In today's news...

Budget Summary: Constellation Is Cancelled Outright

But, that decision still needs congressional approval.

 

I had a thread on the subject a couple months ago.... Ended up staying in Orlando and driving out to see the Kennedy Space Center. Launch we were gonna see was delayed several days and we couldn't stay long enough to see it. If you really want to see one I wouldn't wait until the last launch if you wanna see it as you never know when/if it's gonna be delayed and for how long.

 

STS 131's launch date may be pushed from NET (no earlier than) March 18th to March 22nd. Apparently it was too cold in FL on Friday (under 45F) to move the shuttle from the orbiter processing facility to the VAB to attach it to the external tank. They don't hook it up to a heating until and didn't want to move it under those conditions...

Makes me wonder...doesn't it get A LOT colder on the outside when it's in space???

 

Yes, but by then, the SRB's and the external tank are done and in the ocean.

 

More delays for STS-131 now. Early April launch most likely. I'm following the processing here: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18252.75

Really good forum with lots of info on upcoming launches as well as the current mission among others.