Obtaining Space Shuttle Launch Tickets

[Princess Fiona]

I will be in MCO on 27th February and would like to get a ticket to view the shuttle launch that day. Website is vague about ticket sales " around 4-6 weeks prior". Has anyone here got tickets for Kennedy and if so how did you obtain them? Thanks

 

[munitalP]

This site explains most things...

Launch Viewing: Where & How to Watch, View and See Space Shuttle Launches

you get tickets at KSC kennedyspacecentre.com

wish I was there with you...


munitalP

 

[Wings2812]

You may find tickets hard to get given the last flights of the shuttle and public interest. We tried a few years ago by writing directly to Kennedy - even then they were gone, but we received a reply with other suggestions. I understand that there are other more public areas to see the launch in the general area, as it fills the sky completely.

The main problem we found was that the launch schedule is notoriously delayed - so if your timetable is tight, you may well find that the launch is delayed and you may well miss it.

On another occasion we did see the launch of a communications satellite rocket from Kennedy. This had less interest and we could simply pay for tickets to the Kennedy site, do the facility bus tour and watch the launch from the viewing platform. Even this meant a wait of 2-3 hours for a good position, but it was great. My suggestion is to keep trying for tickets - seeing the launch of a final shuttle would be fantastic, albeit very busy !

 

[munitalP]

You may find tickets hard to get given the last flights of the shuttle and public interest. We tried a few years ago by writing directly to Kennedy - even then they were gone, but we received a reply with other suggestions. I understand that there are other more public areas to see the launch in the general area, as it fills the sky completely.

The main problem we found was that the launch schedule is notoriously delayed - so if your timetable is tight, you may well find that the launch is delayed and you may well miss it.

On another occasion we did see the launch of an Atlas V rocket from Kennedy. This had less interest and we could simply pay for tickets to the Kennedy site, do the facility bus tour and watch the launch from the viewing platform. Even this meant a wait of 2-3 hours for a good position, but it was great. My suggestion is to keep trying for tickets - seeing the launch of a final shuttle would be fantastic, albeit very busy !

Good point - cocoa beach would have good views and be free

I remember a sign I read at KSC when there 2 Jans ago - there was an orbiter on the launch pad (delayed) and even then with less public interest, I think you had to go into a public ballot for tickets to "best viewing" at KSC.

Jan 2009

munitalP

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks for the tips. Cocoa beach will be my backup plan. I am in MCO from 27th - 4th March so fingers crossed with the public ballot.

 

[Meggsy]

We were in Orlando last November and tried to get shuttle launch tickets from KSC, to no avail. Many locals we spoke to mentioned the Cocoa beach location as one of the better, accesible and free spots to view from. Good Luck with it as it would be awesome. We missed out as the launch was delayed and we had left Orlando by the following weeks launch

 

[TimB]

I tried to get tickets for the launch on 14 May this year; although I made it into the website "waiting area" when the tickets were released, the website was overloaded and I missed out.

There are tour companies that get an allocation of tickets, and sell tours to the viewing locations; these are more expensive, but may be easier to get. But you should find out when they go on sale, and plan to buy them immediately (i.e. the hour they go on sale).

Since I missed out on tickets, I just drove up to the beach about 5 hours early in the hope of finding a good spot. Here's a map of where I was, with the parking area marked, as well as the spot on the narrow sea wall where I actually watched from: Space Shuttle viewing - Google Maps

The spot is 12 miles away from the launch pad, but you still get a good view. Don't expect to hear the launch -- it'll take the sound about a minute to get to you, and even then it won't be very loud. Here's a picture I took of the launch.



You should plan on doing a Kennedy Space Center tour the day before the launch, so you can see the shuttle on the launch pad from just three miles away. The ticket to KSC is good for two days, so you can see all the other exhibits on a second day.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I tried to get tickets for the launch on 14 May this year; although I made it into the website "waiting area" when the tickets were released, the website was overloaded and I missed out.

There are tour companies that get an allocation of tickets, and sell tours to the viewing locations; these are more expensive, but may be easier to get. But you should find out when they go on sale, and plan to buy them immediately (i.e. the hour they go on sale).

Since I missed out on tickets, I just drove up to the beach about 5 hours early in the hope of finding a good spot. Here's a map of where I was, with the parking area marked, as well as the spot on the narrow sea wall where I actually watched from: Space Shuttle viewing - Google Maps

The spot is 12 miles away from the launch pad, but you still get a good view. Don't expect to hear the launch -- it'll take the sound about a minute to get to you, and even then it won't be very loud. Here's a picture I took of the launch.

View attachment 1366

You should plan on doing a Kennedy Space Center tour the day before the launch, so you can see the shuttle on the launch pad from just three miles away. The ticket to KSC is good for two days, so you can see all the other exhibits on a second day.

Thankyou so much for that info. I can't wait to see it ! I'm a bit too young for a bucket list but if I had one this would definitely be on it

 

[markis10]

You are never to young for a bucket list, flying in a P51 and a F18, visiting Disneyland, going to the top of the world trade centre in NYC to watch the sunset were all things that were on mine and ticked, sadly flying the Concorde and watching a shuttle launch would now appear to be out of reach .

I hope things work out for you!

 

[straitman]

The web site Orlando Attractions has very good prices for many things in the area at quite cheap prices. They do sell tickets to the Kennedy space Centre so may be able to get launch tickets. I found that they respond to email queries very quickly so it's worth a try IMHO.

Don't expect to hear the launch -- it'll take the sound about a minute to get to you, and even then it won't be very loud.

I find this a strange comment as I have heard and felt a launch from Orlando. It was loud enough and the earth rumbled. (We did not see anything due heavy fog)