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Launch viewing information
Page updated January 25
2010 is here: THERE ARE FIVE SHUTTLE LAUNCHES REMAINING
NEXT LAUNCH
The Shuttle Endeavour is preparing to launch on its penultimate flight, STS-130, to the International Space Station on February 7 at 4:39:47am EST, a night launch and what could be the final night time launch of the space shuttle. The launch window opens five minutes before this time and closes 5-8 minutes after depending on the day. The launch time gets 23-25 minutes earlier each day (list of daily launch times). It is not purposely planned as the last night launch, and would only be so if the remaining four missions happen to launch on the dates currently targeted for. The slightest delay to one mission can result in it being at night as well (it is just as possible we have already had the last one by chance).
Following that will be the penultimate flight of the Shuttle Discovery on STS-131 to the International Space Station on March 18 at 1:34pm EDT at the earliest. The launch window opens five minutes before this time and closes 5-8 minutes after depending on the day. The launch time gets 23-25 minutes earlier each day.
LAST THREE LAUNCHES:
STS-132, last flight of Atlantis - Planned for May 14 at 2:28pm EDT
STS-134, last flight of Endeavour - Planned for July 29 at 7:51am EDT (sunrise 6:43am EDT)
STS-133, last flight of Discovery - Planned for September 16 at 11:57am EDT
Information on the launch and the latest information on weather and technical status can be found at www.SpaceflightNow.com. You should check there before leaving for the launch to make sure it is still on time. You can receive up-to-the-minute text message launch updates on your cell phone from them by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404 (to stop them, text "leave spaceflightnow"; you can turn it on and off at any time). You can also keep track of shuttle launch dates there and on the NASA schedule.
If you have further questions please ask, but please note that emails received very close to launch may be unable to be answered in time.
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LAUNCH VIEWING
Launches of the Space Shuttle take place off Launch Pad 39A (Google Earth / Maps coordinates: 28.608 N, 80.604 W).
The NASA causeway is the closest and best public viewing site (6.5 to 7 miles) for Space Shuttle launches; tickets are required and they sell out fast. Titusville is the second best clear viewing area (12 miles), and is the closest off-site/free location. An option that is between the two in terms of distance, but with no direct view of the launch pad, is the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex (7.4 miles).
If you cannot obtain tickets to the NASA causeway, then your main thought process going into where to view the launch from should include whether you want a clear view of the launch pad (Titusville) versus not having a clear view but experiencing somewhat louder sound (KSC Visitors Complex). If it is a night launch, Titusville offers the advantage of having a large body of water which will greatly reflect the light given off by the shuttle. I highly recommend looking through the sample photos and videos at the bottom of this page to get the best idea of the differences.
Directions to all viewing sites, which are first described below, are located at the bottom of this page. Also provided are links to photos & videos taken by other people from most of the viewing areas described.
NASA CAUSEWAY VIEWING
Google Earth / Maps coordinates for the Causeway: 28.509 N, 80.605 W
The NASA causeway is a strip of land and roadway, located on KSC property, that runs across the Banana River south of Launch Pad 39A. It is the closest spot that the general public can access for a space shuttle launch, and it is also the best. The view from the causeway to Launch Complex 39 is unobstructed with mostly water between you and it. As viewed from the causeway, the shuttle will arc from left to right as it launches.
The causeway is angled from NW to SE, and thus is closer to the pads at the western end by roughly a mile than it is at the eastern end (the causeway is about 2.5 miles long).
Pad 39A is just 6.5 to 7.5 miles away.
Before 2002, NASA gave out (from the Apollo era through early 2002) thousands of free car passes to the causeway. Beginning four hours before every launch, you could drive right to the causeway in your own vehicle - with as many people as you could fit in it - to view the launch. But that was terminated for security reasons in early 2002.
Since then, NASA has decreed that the KSC Visitors Complex, run by the Delaware North company, can bus a certain amount of visitors (2000-5000 per launch) to the causeway for a fee. Passes are sold to visitors by the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex for (current price) $56 per person ($46 age 11 and under), on the internet and by phone beginning several (4-6) weeks before launch. You can sign up on their website to receive an email to let you know when they will go on sale, which is usually a weekday morning at 9am. Tickets to the causeway are usually sold out in a matter of minutes. Note: the NASA causeway tickets are specifically labeled as Launch Transportation Tickets (LTT) and/or Launch Viewing Transportation, so look for those.
To purchase the tickets or contact them click here.
Once sold out, the Visitors Complex offers a causeway ticket package through one or more bus tour companies; they are listed on the same page. The price is more than that of the tickets themselves, and may require a pickup from an Orlando-area hotel, but it presents another option for those who are keen on viewing from the NASA causeway.
Causeway tickets include two-day admission to the space center with the regular center bus tour as well.
In addition, you will likely need to purchase a new causeway ticket if the launch is scrubbed after you have taken the bus to the causeway itself (busing begins a few hours before launch; once you decide you are ready to go over to the causeway, you have "used up" your ticket for launch. So, if it is scrubbed in the final portion of the countdown, you will likely have to purchase a new ticket).
Arrival time: your tickets will be issued with a car pass to park and stated time to arrive.
The NASA causeway has a public address system which is tuned to the NASA Television countdown broadcast. Live updates on how the countdown is progressing can now be had by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404, courtesy of SpaceflightNow.com. Many people who regularly attend the launches carry scanners as well (sometimes the speakers are hard to hear if it's crowded). If you have your own, tune to 146.9400 to hear the broadcast. Radio stations AM 1240 and 1350 also provide updates.
TITUSVILLE THE NEXT BEST PLACE
Google Earth / Maps coordinates for Space View Park: 28.614N, 80.804W
Expect increased crowds for the remaining launches. Arrive no later than 2-3 hours before launch time, and even earlier is recommended especially for the final few. This applies to Titusville or any other location below.
Titusville, Florida is the closest 'city' to the Kennedy Space Center (right across the Indian River from it) and offers by far the second best and closest off-site viewing after the causeway (not counting the Visitors Complex, which is in fact closer than Titusville; see below).
The view from anywhere in Titusville on the river, running the length of US 1 from Garden Street/Rt. 406 in the north (where the bridge that enters into Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge is, also called the Max Brewer bridge) down to around US 50 in the south, is perfectly clear across the water to both launch pads 39A.
The distance to the east side of the Rt. 406 /Max Brewer bridge, where the KSC roadblock lies for launch, is 11.3 miles; to the west ramp of the bridge 11.9 miles; to Spaceview Park (see below) or to the Riverside Inn hotel 12.1 miles; and to the intersection of US 1 with US 50, it is 12.3 miles.
One of the nicer places, and a good specific destination point to look for, is Spaceview Park at the northern end of Titusville (about a block south of where the 406 bridge is). The Astronaut Walk of Fame is here too, and provides a nice way to spend the time waiting. A live broadcast of the launch via NASA TV is normally broadcast in Spaceview Park, which is another reason to view from here.
There are several other parks along the river down US-1 as well,as well as one on the north side of Rt. 406, which is Sand Point Park.
Many riverside landowners will charge a fee to park ($10-30 est.) and many visitors like to camp out. Some commercial lots are not open to free parking, so be sure to look for signs indicating you may park there. Arrive there early to pick out your viewing spot and, perhaps most importantly, a parking spot (2-3 hours before launch is a good rule of thumb to be safe).
If you have your own scanner, again, tune to 146.9400 to hear the NASA TV broadcast, or AM 1240 and 1350 for information. As viewed from Titusville, the shuttle will arc from right to left to a small degree for ISS flights (and the opposite, left to right, for the Hubble flight in late 2008).
THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITORS COMPLEX
Google Earth / Maps coordinates: 28.523 N, 80.682 W
The KSC Visitors Complex is actually the closest public viewing area after the causeway, but it has no clear view of the launch pad and you will not actually see the shuttle until it its journey into space has begun. This spot does have the advantage of being closer than Titusville, so the sound will be louder, but you give up a nice view for trees and power lines in the foreground. The distance from the Visitors Complex is 7.4 miles to Pad 39A.
Tickets can be purchased for $38 per person ($28 ages 3-11) to view from the VC here. You are allowed to spend your time wandering the Visitors Complex grounds and viewing the exhibits, but cannot board the buses to go to the causeway.
So, if sound is more important than the overall view and the experience of seeing it on the pad and rising from it, this is second best choice after the causeway. It may also be a good choice if you have kids who need to be entertained, as you have the freedom to wander around the VC looking at the exhibits and rocket garden during the wait.
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ALTERNATIVE VIEWING: PORT CANAVERAL, JETTY PARK AND COCOA BEACH AREAS
Many people either believe, or are told by locals, that Jetty Park is a great place to view shuttle, and all, launches. This is not true. Please read on.
The view from Port Canaveral (the large cruise and cargo ship port with terminals), and the Beachline Expressway (Rt. 528) that runs through it, is clear and unobstructed looking up the Banana River from the south. But it is far (13.2 miles to 39A from the Port, 14.2 miles to where Rt. 528 crosses the Banana River), such that the sound will have dissipated significantly by the time it reaches you well over a minute into flight. There is no reason to go here if you don't have to, when Titusville is just a few minutes drive away.
Jetty Park is a well known spot adjacent to Port Canaveral on the Atlantic Ocean at the very southern border of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It has a 1200-foot pier that was built to accommodate launch viewing. But it is not an ideal spot for viewing Space Shuttle launches (only Delta 2 launches).
The view from Jetty Park (13.8 miles from Jetty Park to Pad 39A), as well as anywhere south on Cocoa Beach, including the Cocoa Beach pier, all at 15-20 miles distant, is obstructed by a hill, trees or buildings until the shuttle has launched and climbed into the sky. But they are ideal and scenic locations if you like the idea of watching it head up and out over the Atlantic while you swim in the Atlantic ocean at the same time. Again, be aware that you cannot see the launch pad from these areas, that you will not see the shuttle until after it has lifted off and climbed into the sky, and that you are unlikely to hear any more than a distant rumble by the time the sound reaches you.
Please realize that Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center comprise an area that is over 30 miles long and 10 miles wide. There are 15 miles between the southernmost launch pads and the northernmost (which are the Shuttle pads). Port Canaveral and Jetty Park are located on the southern border of Cape Canaveral AFS.
Click here for directions to Port Canaveral, as the spot to view from is the same as for Delta 4 and Atlas 5 viewing. Get there early as spots do still fill up fast and traffic can get heavy.
Click here for directions to Jetty Park specifically. For Jetty Park, get there very early. For just viewing from the beach you can take it more leisurely as there is much more room to spread out.
FURTHER COMMENTS
There is one additional viewing location that the KSC Visitors Complex sometimes sells tickets to, and that is the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF). The AHOF is located in Titusville at 12.2 miles from Pad 39A. You CANNOT see the launch pad from here. There is no reason to pay for this when you can watch for free from the same distance, or even closer, and have a clear view of the pad, along the river in Titusville.
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DIRECTIONS TO TITUSVILLE AND THE KSC VISITORS COMPLEX
Note: for NASA causeway viewing, directions are the same as for visitors complex viewing. Causeway busing is conducted from the VC.
From Daytona: For Titusville viewing, Take I-95 South for about 40 miles (further if you are north of Daytona) to Exit 220 and go left. The road (Rt. 406, Garden St.) runs right into the river at the Max Brewer bridge (which continues into the Merrit Island NWR, closed during launch time) and a great place to view is right there along the bridge, or in Space View park and the Space Walk of Fame which is one block south of this bridge. If it's filled up with cars, drive south on US 1 instead, looking for clear spots along the river.
For the KSC VC, stay on I-95 to Exit 215 and go left. Then, you will turn right at the second light and follow the signs to the Kennedy Space Center and Astronaut Hall of Fame. The Visitors Complex is located about ten miles down the road, right before the security entrance to KSC, and cannot be missed.
From Orlando: For Titusville, take the Beachline (Rt. 528) east until the highway forks. Take the left fork (the signs direct you to Titusville and Kennedy Space Center). You are now on Rt. 407, the Challenger Memorial Parkway. When the road ends (in a T intersection) after several miles, turn right. You are now on Rt. 405, also called Columbia Blvd. Then, exit onto US 1 North and drive until you reach the point where the river runs close to the road. Anywhere along the river for the next five miles (mainly north of US 50) offers prime viewing, so look for a good spot to park.
For the VC, don't get off on US 1. Stay on Rt. 405 and go past the Astronaut Hall of Fame about six more miles. The VC is on the right and cannot be missed.
From South on I-95: For Titusville, take I-95 north to Exit 215 and go right (east). Stay on this road (US 50) until it hits the river. Turn left, and look for a good spot along the river anywhere for the next five miles.
For the Visitors Complex, turn right off the Exit 215 ramp from I-95 and then right at the first light (follow the signs to the Kennedy Space Center and Astronaut Hall of Fame). The Visitors Complex is located about ten miles down the road, right before the security entrance to KSC, and cannot be missed.
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Directions to view from locations south of Kennedy Space Center, such as Port Canaveral, Rt. 528, Jetty Park and Cocoa Beach are available by clicking this link to go to either the Delta 4 & Atlas 5 viewing directions, or the Delta 2 viewing directions (for Jetty Park specifically).
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PHOTOS FROM VARIOUS VIEWING AREAS
The following are photos, taken by other people, of shuttle launches as seen from each of the areas mentioned above. Because camera lenses can distort the photo and make it seem like things are smaller and farther away than they really appear in person, I have made a note next to those that are actual views vs., for example, those that are wide angle. So, in a wide angle photo, the shuttle and smoke trail appear appear significantly bigger/closer in person.
NASA Causeway
Daytime (STS-120) - Telephoto lens
Daytime (STS-117) - Telephoto lens
Daytime (STS-120) - Zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-117) - Zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-120) - Zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-120) - zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-117) - zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-120) - zoomed in a bit
Daytime (STS-121) - actual, as the eye will see
Daytime (STS-117) - slightly wide angle
Daytime (STS-117) - wide angle
Daytime (STS-121) - wide angle
Daytime (STS-95) - wide angle
Nighttime (STS-109) - actual
Nighttime (STS-97); time-lapse shows brightness
Titusville
Daytime (STS-117) - Space View Park (slight zoom)
Daytime (STS-117) - moderate zoom
Daytime (STS-117) - moderate zoom
Daytime (STS-117) - moderate zoom
Daytime (STS-117) - moderate zoom
Daytime (STS-124) - actual
Daytime (STS-124) - actual
Daytime (STS-124) - actual
Sunset (STS-108) - actual
Pre-dawn (STS-109) - wide angle
Pre-dawn (STS-101) - actual
Pre-dawn (STS-101) - wide angle
Nighttime (STS-116) - wide angle (actual brightness example)
Nighttime (STS-116) - super wide angle (actual brightness example)
After sunset (STS-98) - first two actual
Sunrise (STS-96) - actual
Sunrise (STS-102) - actual
KSC Visitors Complex
Daytime (STS-121); actual
Daytime (STS-121); photos 047, 051 actual
Port Canaveral
Daytime (STS-117) - slight zoom
Daytime (STS-117) - very wide angle
After sunset (STS-92) - wide angle - note VAB, pad just over horizon
Daytime (STS-100) - actual
Cocoa Beach
Sunset - actual (STS-98)
Sunset - actual (STS-98)
Daytime - actual (STS-115)
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VIDEOS FROM VARIOUS VIEWING AREAS
The following are YouTube videos that best represent the views from the three main viewing sites. All are of the "actual" view variety as best as I can find; those at night show approximately how bright the scene is, though no video camera can properly capture the sight. Most videos do not capture the sound properly. Finally, all videos from the NASA causeway below are for launches that took place off of Pad 39A, the closer pad to the causeway and which all future shuttle launches will take place from. Note: Some video titles or descriptions contain incorrect information about distances and other facts.
NASA Causeway
Nighttime (STS-113)
Nighttime (STS-126)
Daytime (STS-124)
Daytime (STS-124)
Daytime (STS-125)
Daytime (STS-117)
Daytime (STS-117)
Daytime (STS-124)
Daytime (STS-118)
After sunset (STS-98)
Before sunrise (STS-101)
Nighttime (STS-123) (Better sound quality)
Titusvile
Nighttime (STS-116)
Nighttime (STS-116)
Nighttime (STS-126)
Daytime (STS-117) - Space View Park
Daytime (STS-117)
Daytime (STS-117)
Daytime (STS-117)
KSC Visitors Complex
Nighttime (STS-116)
Daytime (STS-117)
Daytime (STS-118) (Better sound quality)
If you have further questions, or want to know how to photograph a shuttle launch, please ask, but also please allow time for a response. Inquiries received too close to launch may be unable to be answered in time.