Viewing launches at the KSC

[george7378]

Hi everyone,

We will be in Florida from the 3rd to the 20th August next year, and the launch schedule says that JUNO launches on August the 5th:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

We would like to go and see it, so does anyone have any tips on watching launches from the Cape? Do you need to pay to get good spots, and what is the general procedrue with regards to booking, etc...? Will this launch be open to spectators?

Thanks!

 

[Rex]

i havent been there since is was like 5 or something but after looking in on the juno launch its not "open to the public" as it is being launched on the grounds of Patrick AFB but i did go to the Patrick AFB sight and did some digging and came up with this link
Patrick AFB FAQ
i hope that helps

 

[Star Voyager]

Hi everyone,

We will be in Florida from the 3rd to the 20th August next year, and the launch schedule says that JUNO launches on August the 5th:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

We would like to go and see it, so does anyone have any tips on watching launches from the Cape? Do you need to pay to get good spots, and what is the general procedrue with regards to booking, etc...? Will this launch be open to spectators?

Thanks!

Every launch is open to spectators . But I recommend the bleachers near the cruise terminal (in front of the CCAFS gate), or you can go to Jetty Park. I know just about (meaning not every single one) every nook and cranny for good viewing spots. You could also go to KARS Park near KSC VC and Nicol Park in Titusville (about 7 miles from the pad, if I'm not mistaken). Google Earth should help you a lot, too :tiphat:.

 

[george7378]

I think it is open to the public, as it appears on the calendar here under August 2011:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/e...2011/8/5/bd5b0e7d-0821-40a9-908d-5ef727c943f1

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx#2011/8/5/bd5b0e7d-0821-40a9-908d-5ef727c943f1

Thanks for the help Star Voyager - I will have a look at those places!

 

[Star Voyager]

No problem :thumbup:! I know the press site near the VAB will be open and so MIGHT be the Saturn V Center, although I'm not so sure about that.

 

[george7378]

It's drawing closer, and the launch still looks like it's on track to happen on the 5th August. There's still no information on booking tickets to see this launch, but I think I'm right in saying that if it is going to be a 'public' launch, they don't usually put them up for sale until a few weeks before?

This page seems to give you a list of surrounding viewing areas too:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/viewing.html

It's launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, so I suppose KARS park would be a good option.

Is there any chance of getting on the beach running along right next to the launch pads? That would be the best spot, by far (although I don't know which pad it will be launching from - if anyone knows or finds out, it would be a great help):

 

[Krikkit]

Is there any chance of getting on the beach running along right next to the launch pads? That would be the best spot, by far (although I don't know which pad it will be launching from - if anyone knows or finds out, it would be a great help)

No chance at all. I have never been to KSC, but I assume their range rules are a lot like Wallops Island. In which case the beaches on the base will not only be closed but heavily patrolled by guards. And you can not rent a boat and watch from sea, they will stop the launch if there is a boat anywhere down range, and the coast guard will be sent after you.

And trust me, when that first stage comes falling out of the sky, or there is an abort, you don't want to be anywhere down range.

 

[Columbia42]

I watched a shuttle launch from Jetty Park and it was awesome! From there I was south of 39A and B and I could see all the other pads between me and the shuttle. I would recommend this spot but knowing which pad it's launching from would help a lot.

 

[HAL9001]

I just have to explain my parents how cool that would be luckless... we live in germany...:facepalm:

 

[Star Voyager]

It's drawing closer, and the launch still looks like it's on track to happen on the 5th August. There's still no information on booking tickets to see this launch, but I think I'm right in saying that if it is going to be a 'public' launch, they don't usually put them up for sale until a few weeks before?

This page seems to give you a list of surrounding viewing areas too:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/viewing.html

It's launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, so I suppose KARS park would be a good option.

Is there any chance of getting on the beach running along right next to the launch pads? That would be the best spot, by far (although I don't know which pad it will be launching from - if anyone knows or finds out, it would be a great help):

KARS Park is only open to those who have an ID and work at the Cape. The beach with the pads your seeing is called Missile Row, and is strictly USAF property that no outside personnel are allowed on. I recommend South of Port Canaveral and East of A1A, near Jetty Park or Lori Wilson Park. Both fill up fast in launch day, so be prepared!

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

I took the liberty of giving you a reference point on where the pad is and where you want to be (range is about 14 miles, the closest any "average Joe" can get):

View attachment 7256

 

[george7378]

SLC-41 seems to be the closest one to the VAB - is the VAB area open to the public (isn't that where the KSC visitor complex is?) - is there any chance of watching it from there?

 

[Star Voyager]

The Saturn V Center is close to the VAB, but you'll have to secure tickets because it's a VIP/Press site. They might be sold out because it's pretty close to the launch.

Here's a starting reference, equipped with a countdown clock:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

 

[DaveS]

SLC-41 seems to be the closest one to the VAB - is the VAB area open to the public (isn't that where the KSC visitor complex is?) - is there any chance of watching it from there?

No. KSCVC is located south of Launch Complex 39: [ame="http://maps.google.com/?ll=28.52371,-80.680568&spn=0.006533,0.011362&t=h&z=17"]Google Maps[/ame]

The entire area starting with the SLF is called Launch Complex 39 and it encompasses the OPFs, the VAB and the two launch pads 39A and 39B. And Launch Complex 39 is strictly NASA/contractor/accredited news media only. No public access to either the pads, the VAB or the OPFs.

 

[george7378]

We're planning to visit the KSC on the day of the launch, so we'll probably watch from the KCSVC (which looks to be closer than Port Canaveral).

This video was taken from Port Canaveral, I think:

I'd be pleased if we could get that close (although SLC-41 is further away from this location than the one Mars Odyssey launched from)!

 

[george7378]

I saw today that the first 2000 people get to see it from the Saturn V centre, which is near the VAB I think:

http://kennedyspacecenter.com/juno-mission.aspx

Does anyone know if you need a separate ticket to get in there, or do the normal KSCVC ones get you in? I will be up early in the morning!

 

[ky]

Hopefully i'll see it from here 100+ miles away from the launch site.

 

[Star Voyager]

I saw today that the first 2000 people get to see it from the Saturn V centre, which is near the VAB I think:

http://kennedyspacecenter.com/juno-mission.aspx

Does anyone know if you need a separate ticket to get in there, or do the normal KSCVC ones get you in? I will be up early in the morning!

No special ticket, as long as you have the ticket that got you in to the KSCVC and hop on the bus.