Watching a Launch (Falcon Heavy)
Discussion
I was wondering what would the logistics of travelling to Florida to see Falcon Heavy launch might be?
Has anyone done it? I'd imagine it's a case of; fly to Florida, find a hotel, hire a car?
Is the launch site close to the airport? If not, how much traveling time should you allow?
If the launch is aborted, what's to see and do in Florida for a 34 year old man travelling alone? Recommend any space-y museums?
Thanks,
Has anyone done it? I'd imagine it's a case of; fly to Florida, find a hotel, hire a car?
Is the launch site close to the airport? If not, how much traveling time should you allow?
If the launch is aborted, what's to see and do in Florida for a 34 year old man travelling alone? Recommend any space-y museums?
Thanks,
Edited by Boring_Chris on Thursday 3rd August 09:20
Planning a holiday around a rocket launch is always a bit fraught with uncertainty. Launches get scrubbed or postponed for all sorts of reasons. Weather is definitely one of them.
Technical issues are also a factor - and bear in mind that this will be the first launch of a new rocket so the scrub criteria will be very tight.
I have a vague plan to try to get to the first launch of the SLS (if it ever happens). However, I'm very aware that the first launch could be very iffy.
Technical issues are also a factor - and bear in mind that this will be the first launch of a new rocket so the scrub criteria will be very tight.
I have a vague plan to try to get to the first launch of the SLS (if it ever happens). However, I'm very aware that the first launch could be very iffy.
Hi Chris,
I live out here and there's plenty to do, obviously the launch and the Kennedy Space Centre will be your highlights. I'd give 45 minutes to get from the airport to the Cape. Other things you can do include a trip up the coast to Daytona where, if you so wish, you can have ride or drive a NASCAR (great experience).
Or if you enjoy theme parks (I do), then you have Universal and Disney, my wife and I have annual passes for both and head that way most weekends. They all have some very good rides for adults, don't worry about being there alone, it means you can enjoy those places at your own pace, when my wife's visiting family in the UK I still head to the parks and do the more extreme stuff that she doesn't enjoy. The Star Wars stuff (if that's your thing) at Disney's Hollywood Studios is very good.
There's also other parks in the area and Tampa, or if you're into nature thre's a few cool things to do, airboat rides, a visit to blue springs or Crystal River to see Manatee's and Alligators. You won't be bored if the launch is scrubbed.
I live out here and there's plenty to do, obviously the launch and the Kennedy Space Centre will be your highlights. I'd give 45 minutes to get from the airport to the Cape. Other things you can do include a trip up the coast to Daytona where, if you so wish, you can have ride or drive a NASCAR (great experience).
Or if you enjoy theme parks (I do), then you have Universal and Disney, my wife and I have annual passes for both and head that way most weekends. They all have some very good rides for adults, don't worry about being there alone, it means you can enjoy those places at your own pace, when my wife's visiting family in the UK I still head to the parks and do the more extreme stuff that she doesn't enjoy. The Star Wars stuff (if that's your thing) at Disney's Hollywood Studios is very good.
There's also other parks in the area and Tampa, or if you're into nature thre's a few cool things to do, airboat rides, a visit to blue springs or Crystal River to see Manatee's and Alligators. You won't be bored if the launch is scrubbed.
I was on a Florida "vacation" in 1990 and I watched Discovery launch with the Hubble Space Telescope. It was the first non test launch after the Challenger disaster and seeing that incident announced on John Craven's Newsround is still etched in my memory.
When I say watched the launch what I mean is that I think the launch has been aborted previously which raised our curiosity so early one morning we headed out of Orlando along the Beeline Expressway towards Cape Canaveral only to get stuck in a huge traffic jam but even halfway to the Cape we were able to see the launch rise up into the sky.
When I say watched the launch what I mean is that I think the launch has been aborted previously which raised our curiosity so early one morning we headed out of Orlando along the Beeline Expressway towards Cape Canaveral only to get stuck in a huge traffic jam but even halfway to the Cape we were able to see the launch rise up into the sky.
Boring_Chris said:
Eric, I >AM< interested in that type of thing!
Ash, thank you for taking the time to reply! I'll use that for planning a trip should finances allow! (also; a fellow VX220 enthusiast! I'm currently in a red N/A, used to own a blue Tubby)
Nice, I owned my Silver NA for 10.5 years, tracked her for the last 4 years. I only sold her as I was coming out here for a few years and didn't want her wasting away in the garage. I was gutted watching the new owner drive off in my pride and joy, she was recently up for sale, having had a super charger fitted, if I were in the UK I wouldn't hesitate to buy her back! LOLAsh, thank you for taking the time to reply! I'll use that for planning a trip should finances allow! (also; a fellow VX220 enthusiast! I'm currently in a red N/A, used to own a blue Tubby)
Actual said:
I was on a Florida "vacation" in 1990 and I watched Discovery launch with the Hubble Space Telescope. It was the first non test launch after the Challenger disaster and seeing that incident announced on John Craven's Newsround is still etched in my memory.
When I say watched the launch what I mean is that I think the launch has been aborted previously which raised our curiosity so early one morning we headed out of Orlando along the Beeline Expressway towards Cape Canaveral only to get stuck in a huge traffic jam but even halfway to the Cape we were able to see the launch rise up into the sky.
You can see the launches from quite a distance, we're fortunate enough to be in East Orlando so can see launches from the house (about 35 miles away I guess), but being up close is definitely something I want to experience. Planning on going to see the launch of the X-37b on 28th Aug and hoping to get over to see the F9H launch later in the year too.When I say watched the launch what I mean is that I think the launch has been aborted previously which raised our curiosity so early one morning we headed out of Orlando along the Beeline Expressway towards Cape Canaveral only to get stuck in a huge traffic jam but even halfway to the Cape we were able to see the launch rise up into the sky.
lost in espace said:
I am going to the Space Centre that day, can't wait. Hope it goes up.
So do I, haven't got tickets or anything yet, but hopefully won't be a problem. Sadly as I understand it the first stage won't be coming back after that launch as the X-37b is A) too heavy or b) needs to be deployed at a higher altitude, so no fuel left for a recovery.Will still be an amazing experience though.
The SpaceX OTV-5 (X-37B) launch is going to be no earlier than 7th September now I'm afraid.
It's not their fault. This and a couple of other missions got pushed back due to the delays with the launch of NASA's TDRS-M comms & tracking satellite. This was due to go up on an Atlas V last week, but was delayed because they managed to damage one of its antenna when packing it for transport. They hope to launch on 18th August instead.
It's not their fault. This and a couple of other missions got pushed back due to the delays with the launch of NASA's TDRS-M comms & tracking satellite. This was due to go up on an Atlas V last week, but was delayed because they managed to damage one of its antenna when packing it for transport. They hope to launch on 18th August instead.
Beati Dogu said:
The SpaceX OTV-5 (X-37B) launch is going to be no earlier than 7th September now I'm afraid.
It's not their fault. This and a couple of other missions got pushed back due to the delays with the launch of NASA's TDRS-M comms & tracking satellite. This was due to go up on an Atlas V last week, but was delayed because they managed to damage one of its antenna when packing it for transport. They hope to launch on 18th August instead.
That's a shame, my Bro-in-laws won't be here then and it's sad for "lost in espace" above unless he's still around. I should still be able to see it on the 7th Sept though. Do you have a link?It's not their fault. This and a couple of other missions got pushed back due to the delays with the launch of NASA's TDRS-M comms & tracking satellite. This was due to go up on an Atlas V last week, but was delayed because they managed to damage one of its antenna when packing it for transport. They hope to launch on 18th August instead.
Here's a handy schedule.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
There' s various phone apps that will tell you too. I use Space Launch Schedule for Iphone.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
There' s various phone apps that will tell you too. I use Space Launch Schedule for Iphone.
Beati Dogu said:
Here's a handy schedule.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
There' s various phone apps that will tell you too. I use Space Launch Schedule for Iphone.
Cool, thanks, I have Space Launch Schedule (on Android), but I don't check it often enough I guess.https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
There' s various phone apps that will tell you too. I use Space Launch Schedule for Iphone.
AshVX220 said:
That's a shame, my Bro-in-laws won't be here then and it's sad for "lost in espace" above unless he's still around. I should still be able to see it on the 7th Sept though. Do you have a link?
Aghh just spotted this, there is a flight on the 14 August which I could have made but flights booked from NYC just after this date. Oh well, I am still going to the Space Museum and that is pretty cool I hear.Does anyone listen to Space Rocket History http://spacerockethistory.com/?p=3833 they are excellent, next weeks will be about Apollo 11 moon landing. There are 200 odd podcasts, very well researched and great to listen to.
Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff