See it while you still can. Launch: Space Shuttle Endeavour Date: Friday, November 14 2008 7:55p.m. Where: Launch Complex 39A Kennedy Space Center, FL Description: STS-126 to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. Time: 7:55 p.m. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=CALENDAR&site=GMTI&tpl=EventSearch&SearchEventCategory=67&SearchDateEnd=12/31/10
One small warning... Give yourself plenty of time coming in and leaving, traffic gets backed up for hours. But it's worth it. This next one will be after dark. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Going to see the SS launch is a 'must do' thing. The rumble of the ground, the excitement, the visuals, and the pride for the space program is amazing. Watching it on TV just isn't the same.
For those of you that haven't seen a launch, the night launches are almost indescribable if seen overlooking water. F-Chatters interested in seeing the launch from the beach are invited to join me in New Smyrna Beach tomorrow night. The shuttle flies northeast, passing NSB. Driving time from Maitland-Longwood to the house (Bethune Beach part of town) is about 60 minutes. Call me for directions at 407-592-9477. Weather is going to be a factor so you can play it by ear. Simon & Amanda, come on over if you can. Kevin Flankey
That is a very nice offer Kevin. For those of us who are geograpically challenged, where is and how far is New Smyrna beach vs where the Shuttle acutally takes off from???
Kevins place is essentially at the north edge of Canaveral National Sea shore. Maybe 10 miles from the pad.
All of the launch traffic is going to be south of us, around Titusville & Cocoa Beach. Their view won't overlook the ocean. Seeing the sky and the water turn orange might remind you of old filmstrips of nuclear explosions in the Pacific. It's pretty incredible! After the launch, you might be back home in Orange or Seminole county before some people reach I-95 in Titusville. This might be the only launch out of the 9 or 10 remaining that occurs with a full moon in the background. Don't miss it folks. Bring the family Simon! Kevin
Kevin, it's really tempting, but we're in south beach so the drive is a bit much with the kids. we really considered it and went back and forth... thanks for the kind offer! Best to Ann. Simon
Hi Kevin, Your generous offer sounds fantastic. However, Rich, Robert, Bill and I have been trying to find a mutually available time to watch the videos & see the pictures each of us took from the "Campbell Run" we did last month. So, unfortunately, I won't be able to make it up your way for the shuttle launch. Hopefully, your offer stands for a future shuttle launch, and with enough lead time I would really like to plan to come up there to see it take off.
Standing offer! Stay tuned for future launches. Heading over to the house now. Anyone else want to venture over? Call me for final directions: 407-592-9477 cell kevin
Great show! Watched it fly under the full moon, and in-and-out of a few clouds. Clear as day, all the way over in Tampa/Clearwater
Saw it from here in Plantation, FL. Pretty cool to see it from sooo far away. Saw all the fire coming out of it. Pretty epic.
My mother lives in New Smyrna Beach right across the street from from the ocean (about a mile south of Chases) and I go there about once a month. If I am there during a launch I will call you. If you go all the way South, you run into a park and all the way at the end their is a parking lot with about 20 spaces (near the nude beach) which would get you even closer. Also if you go along US1 and turn left into into the Merritt Island/Cape Canaveral Seashore around Edgewater, there is a 2 lane road that is on the west side of the barrier island that you can follow for about 15 miles that brings you right in front of the gate for the entrance to the Space Center. A few years ago, I was thinking of taking my fathers boat and going into the ocean and watching the launch from in front of the launch pad, but I found out that you arent allowed within a 2 mile range during a launch. I wonder if the solid fuel booster rockets splash into the water around there. There is nothing like seeing a launch at night. The sky lights up and it is bright as day. It is also fun when the shuttle lands at night and the house shakes when you hear the sonic boom. It is also interesting to see non-shuttle launches when you dont expect them. I was at a red light on US1 in Titusville and heard a loud noise and saw a flash of light and then saw the rocket right in front of me. If the light wasnt red, it would have scared the hell out of me and I would have crashed!
