On Shuttle Launches, and the Viewing Thereof
So after dinner tonight, the topic of space shuttle launches came up, when I mentioned something else about a trip I'd taken to see one. This prompted some discussion of possibly seeing another one, which prompted some refresher googleing tonight.
Back in October 2007 I drove down to Florida with a friend, principally to see the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission. For those interested, a few of my photos are up on my often neglected web site.
Since then I've toyed with the idea of seeing another launch. I know that several friends are interested. With only 5 scheduled launches [wikipedia] remaining, all during 2010, it's time to think about this before it's too late. The next launch is, in some ways, the best one to go to. It is the only remaining winter launch, and I've no desire whatsoever to visit Florida in the heat of summer.
Some facts about this launch:
- Space Shuttle Endeavour, on mission STS-130 [wikipedia] is targeted to launch on February 4, 2010, at 5:52am EST.
- Sunrise in early February on the east coast of Florida is about 8am, meaning this will be a night or low light launch, very spectacular, if harder to photograph well.
- As it happens, Endeavour was transported today (Friday) from Orbiter Processing Facility-2, to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Not terribly relevant, but interesting.
Basic idea would be to wait as late as possible to travel while keeping an eye on the launch forecast. Assuming it looks good, drive to FL over 2 days, arriving in Titusville the night before the day before/of launch. Tour KSC that day, seeing the shuttle on the pad (I missed doing this last time). Then get photos of it that night after they've retracted the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) and with the orbiter lit up with the bright spot lights. (I'd have to find out for sure which night this is, when it's a night launch) Then see the launch, while planning to be able to stay in the Orlando area up to about a week for subsequent launch attempts if needed. If all goes to plan and there is a successful launch, we become tourists starting in the Orlando area and then heading north. Most likely stop would be the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in DC & Dulles Airport. I missed the part on the national mall in DC on my last trip. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center at Dulles airport (saw it last time, happy to return) houses, amoung other things, the space shuttle Enterprise at the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar.
So, what I wonder is:
Is anyone else interested in seeing a space shuttle launch while we still can?
Anyone interesting in seeing the STS-130 launch?
If so, what is your expected availability to travel in early February 2010?
Back in October 2007 I drove down to Florida with a friend, principally to see the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission. For those interested, a few of my photos are up on my often neglected web site.
Since then I've toyed with the idea of seeing another launch. I know that several friends are interested. With only 5 scheduled launches [wikipedia] remaining, all during 2010, it's time to think about this before it's too late. The next launch is, in some ways, the best one to go to. It is the only remaining winter launch, and I've no desire whatsoever to visit Florida in the heat of summer.
Some facts about this launch:
- Space Shuttle Endeavour, on mission STS-130 [wikipedia] is targeted to launch on February 4, 2010, at 5:52am EST.
- Sunrise in early February on the east coast of Florida is about 8am, meaning this will be a night or low light launch, very spectacular, if harder to photograph well.
- As it happens, Endeavour was transported today (Friday) from Orbiter Processing Facility-2, to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Not terribly relevant, but interesting.
Basic idea would be to wait as late as possible to travel while keeping an eye on the launch forecast. Assuming it looks good, drive to FL over 2 days, arriving in Titusville the night before the day before/of launch. Tour KSC that day, seeing the shuttle on the pad (I missed doing this last time). Then get photos of it that night after they've retracted the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) and with the orbiter lit up with the bright spot lights. (I'd have to find out for sure which night this is, when it's a night launch) Then see the launch, while planning to be able to stay in the Orlando area up to about a week for subsequent launch attempts if needed. If all goes to plan and there is a successful launch, we become tourists starting in the Orlando area and then heading north. Most likely stop would be the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in DC & Dulles Airport. I missed the part on the national mall in DC on my last trip. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center at Dulles airport (saw it last time, happy to return) houses, amoung other things, the space shuttle Enterprise at the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar.
So, what I wonder is:
Is anyone else interested in seeing a space shuttle launch while we still can?
Anyone interesting in seeing the STS-130 launch?
If so, what is your expected availability to travel in early February 2010?