Shuttle launch!

[Crash Cash]

Wow, that was incredible! For the first time EVER I actually HEARD the launch from 90 miles away! It was a really deep bass rumble and you could hear buildings shake, and feel the vibration. :yahoo:

It was the brightest flame, and the trail was beautifully backlit by the morning sun. You could just barely see the little red dots of the SRBs falling away, plus there was some sort cloud/vapor formation around the Shuttle itself afterwards that I'd never seen before.

About 5 minutes before launch ISS itself passed over, and it was a really bright steady dot moving very fast. I haven't seen ISS before and been sure of it, but NASA TV pointed it out, so this time I know it was the Station.

That was worth staying up for.

 

[sergeantnic]

Wow, that was incredible! For the first time EVER I actually HEARD the launch from 90 miles away! It was a really deep bass rumble and you could hear buildings shake, and feel the vibration. :yahoo:
It was the brightest flame, and the trail was beautifully backlit by the morning sun. You could just barely see the little red dots of the SRBs falling away, plus there was some sort cloud/vapor formation around the Shuttle itself afterwards that I'd never seen before.

About 5 minutes before launch ISS itself passed over, and it was a really bright steady dot moving very fast. I haven't seen ISS before and been sure of it, but NASA TV pointed it out, so this time I know it was the Station.

That was worth staying up for.

I didn't even realize there was a launch today but when I pulled into work at 6:20am this morning I saw it tearing across the sky. I saw the seperation as well and sky was super clear this morning.

Not bad for being all the way over here in Tampa.

 

[fljab]

I work at KSC and got home late last night after work; almost overslept it, but got up and went outside to watch. Beautiful shot, clear sky; you could see it for a long ways after SRB separation.

 

[BikerGeek99]

One of these days I want to be there for a launch.

We were in the area about a year ago (and we did the tour of KSC) and there was a launch scheduled, but it kept getting pushed back until we were back home.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

One of these days I want to be there for a launch.

Better hurry up. The clock's ticking on that whole program.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I've never seen a launch with my own eye, would love to witness that. They are always so impressive.

I also like to track the things flying in space and then see them when they pass over head, usually just before dawn or after sunset. I have seen both ISS and the shuttle in orbit (a couple times at the same time), very cool.

Try this site for other things flying around and to view them.

Heavens Above.

 

[odot]

USA!!!!!!!!!!!

USA!!!!!!!!!!!

USA!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sergeantnic]

I've never seen a launch with my own eye, would love to witness that. They are always so impressive.

They are very cool. We went over to US-1 in Titusville and were litterally across the pond from the launch pad during a night launch last year and it was one of those lifetime experiences. The initial blast-off illumintes the area light it's day time and you can barely look at the flash of it.

When it gets a couple hand lengths up into the sky it starts to push on your chest and you can feel the shuttle. And after about a minute the thing is moving so dang fast you can hardly believe it's real.

We were lucky enough to be at a friend of a friend's house so we had front row parking and seating. But the traffic heading back to Tampa was a NIGHTMARE. We waited 1 1/2 hours before leaving to let the traffic die down and it took us 5 hours to get home. The drive is only about 1 1/2 - 2 hours normally but the traffic was at a standstill.

I would highly recommend staying the night somewhere close. And you really don't have to be on US-1 to experience the launch. You can be many miles away and see it.

I work in Tampa at the Air Force base which is 120 miles from the launch pad and we've watched 4 or 5 launches from work to include this mornings and you can see it plane as day.

I believe there are only 2 or 3 launches left so if you haven't seen one you better make some plans.

 

[Crash Cash]

One of these days I want to be there for a launch.

Better hurry up. The clock's ticking on that whole program.

3 launches left and it's got to be done by the end of the year or they run into budgetary issues.

 

[Patriot]

I thought Woketman would have arranged a ride on a shuttle into low orbit for me by now...

 

[rickcorwn]

I've never been to a launch and with only 3 Shuttle launches left I need to get off my ass and do it. So I'm asking for advice like area lodging and best place to watch from. Looking at the schedule this next one would be best for me May 14th.

 

[7xray]

Check out Spaceweather.com for some cool shuttle launch shots.

 

[Allnight]

I'm planning on going to Florida for the July launch...currently scheduled for 7/29, I believe. Planning on hanging around a week or two after, just in case. My boss knows I'm not coming back until I see it launch though. Hope they're not too late!

 

[FJRBluesman]

USA!!!!!!!!!!!USA!!!!!!!!!!!

USA!!!!!!!!!!

You still married?

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

I grew up in Florida, watching the space race from the beginning. Worked as a Shuttle Mechanical Systems engineer for ten years and got to witness 70-some launches from the 3-mile clear zone (VAB/LCC). Always spectacular! If you've never experienced it in person, and want to, it truly is an experience of a lifetime! Time is running out.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Seen it twice in my lifetime. Sad to say the second one was with Christa McAuliffe God bless.

 

[feeger]

I'm planning on going to Florida for the July launch...currently scheduled for 7/29, I believe. Planning on hanging around a week or two after, just in case. My boss knows I'm not coming back until I see it launch though. Hope they're not too late!

Are you riding there? If so, I'd be happy to join you and split lodging to save some cash. I really want to see a Shuttle launch!

 

[Patriot]

I'm planning on going to Florida for the July launch...currently scheduled for 7/29, I believe. Planning on hanging around a week or two after, just in case. My boss knows I'm not coming back until I see it launch though. Hope they're not too late!

I'm planning on going to Florida for the July launch...currently scheduled for 7/29, I believe. Planning on hanging around a week or two after, just in case. My boss knows I'm not coming back until I see it launch though. Hope they're not too late!

Are you riding there? If so, I'd be happy to join you and split lodging to save some cash. I really want to see a Shuttle launch!

seriously, I'd consider going with ya'll from New Orleans

you are welcome to come here, stay at my home for whatever refreshing time you wish gratus, and then ya'll or we can head for Florida

sounds like a real plan to consider; I have nothing on my calendar for July and Aug either

 

[1FJR]

I have never seen a shuttle lunch, would love to see one. The best I have seen is when I was out visiting my Grandfather who worked at Vandenberg Airforce Base in California. There I was lying on the bed in the guest room when the whole house shook and the window fell in on me. I jumped up and looked out and there was a rocket going up. All grandfather would say is that it was he would have to kill me if he told me what was on that rocket.