Launches

This is just a quick page with the advice that I give visitors for watching launches at Cape Canaveral.

Links and Schedules

Be forewarned that launch schedules often change. Keep this in mind when you make your plans. If you are simply going to check a schedule so that you can look out of your hotel room at launch time, then nothing much is at risk. If you are going to spend a day of a family vacation to go to the coast to watch a launch, then there is a good chance that you will waste a day of vacation. If you schedule a vacation around coming to watch a launch, then you have risked even more. Launches, especially night shuttle launches, can be spectacular and it might well be worth adjusting your schedule to take in a launch. You may find that the risk of a wasted trip is worthwhile, I just want to point out there is this risk.

NASA launches:

Kennedy Space Center

NASA page on viewing a launch
How to get on base car passes and off base suggested viewing areas.

NASA shuttle launch schedule

NASA expendable vehicle launch schedule
This does not include Air Force or commercial launches

NASA phone number for recorded launch info:

1(321)867-4636 For launch dates
1(321)867-0600 For launch status during countdown.

These are useful for getting updates when you are away from the computer.

Commercial and Air Force launches

There are also some commercial launches. These are not as impressive as a shuttle, but the crowds are less.

Space.com, www.space.com, has an extended launch schedule which includes commercial launches. The extended launch schedule is at

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/launch_schedule.html.

Spaceflightnow, www.spaceflightnow.com, also has an extended launch schedule at http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html.

If you go to watch a commercial launch it is a little harder to get word of a cancellation. However, usually the local news will report it. There is also a low powered radio station out of Melbourne that is pretty good about launch coverage. I wish I remember the station. However, all I can suggest is to scan the AM dial if you are near the cape.

Where to watch a launch from:

If you decide to go to the cape for a shuttle launch, go early. There is consistently a bad backup at the toll booth on 528. Needless to say, the closer you are the better the view. Although not as spectacular, you can see the launches from Orlando on a clear day. I have even seen shuttle launches from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

In general, the better view that you have towards Cape Canaveral, the better you will see the launch. Being in a tall building helps, but often having an open area towards Cape Canaveral such as a lake or large parking lot will help. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Disney

If you are at Disney, there is an observation deck at the top of the Contemporary Hotel. Go to the California Grill on the top floor. Coming out of the elevator, instead of turning right and going into the restaurant, turn left and follow around to the deck on the roof.
You could probably get a good view from the top of the mountain at Blizzard Beach if you are at the water parks.

At the coast:

I like watching from the 528 causeway. I pull to the south side of the road just before the last bridge going into Cocoa Beach. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE ROAD!!! People drive like idiots, so pull well of the road and make sure any children only get out of the right side of the car. If you are unable to arrive early enough so that you can overshoot and get turned around , walk down the embankment and under the bridge to watch the launch on the north side.
Jetty Park is also a good place to watch launches from the beach. The only problem is that it is impossible to get in for a shuttle launch unless you get there very early.
Anywhere along the beach is good except that the first part of the lift-off may be blocked due to the geometry of the shore line.

Maps to better show where to watch:

Space Movies

If you want to get in the mood, here are a couple of my favorite movies.

Apollo 13
I talked to a couple of neighbors when I lived in Houston that worked at Johnson Space Center. Apparently, Tom Hanks is a big space enthusiast. Reports are that he was very much a gentleman and was enjoyable to work with.

From the Earth to the Moon
This is an HBO series also by Tom Hanks

The Right Stuff
This is based on the book of the same name by Tom Wolfe. This is based on fact, but it from a somewhat sarcastic Tom Wolfe perspective. The story is about the initial effort to put man into space.

October Sky
This is very touching story about a high school boy who grows up in a West Virginia coal mining town and wants to build rockets. It is based on the book "Rocket Boys" by Homer Hickam. This is an inspirational family movie and reasonably biographical. According to Hickam's web site, www.homerhickam.com, there is a fair amount of artistic license in the movie but he still likes it.

Space Cowboys
Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner. This movie is pure fiction. Good music with a classic good guys verses self-serving bureaucrat story. There is also a little romance thrown in, but nothing lewd.

Contingency or additional activities in the area

If you decide to go to the beach I have a couple of suggestions as either an alternative or additional stop in your visit:

Roberto's in downtown Cocoa beach is a great Cuban restaurant.
Heidi's Jazz club also in downtown Cocoa beach is a cool place.
http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/
Towards the coast along the St. John's river on S.R. 520 is the Loan Cabbage fish camp. It is a chance to go for an airboat ride and get some fried gator tail. Out of town guests that I have taken have enjoyed it.