Space Shuttle Launch

[Oneworldplus2]

Shuttle Launch is on my bucket list, along with the 'vomit comet' in the USA.

If l had the chance of seeing a launch, l'd be there for sure!

As Mal said, the biggest factor are delays for a number of reasons. There is a NASA facebook page that keeps you up to date on all developments on launches. I suggest you join if you haven't already.

Also,
NASA Launch schedule page here...

 

[awilcockson]

I'm going to be in the states from the 6th to the 16th of july, and the final shuttle launch is scheduled for the 14th.

Date has been moved up to the 8th.

 

[Mal]

Date has been moved up to the 8th.

Saw that when looking yesterday. Adds to the issues with planning...

 

[tuppaware]

Saw that when looking yesterday. Adds to the issues with planning...

As I was planning to go on the 8th anyways... ! Yeah!

 

[Mal]

Let me know what you come up with It's my final chance, I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life if I don't figure out a way to be there.

Ok, I'm going. Time off work got approved today, and I'm now flying to LAX on the 6th with a return from LAX on the 15th.

Now comes the fun bit...
Am currently booked into a Holiday Inn (middle of nowhere) near NASA - MELBOURNE-VIERA CONFERENCE CTR
8298 N WICKHAM ROAD
MELBOURNE,FLORIDA United States

But it isn't super close... but close enough. Have booked (PC Reward points) 6-10th. Rest of the time really is up in the air.

Am still wondering how stupid I am, and whether I really am doing something sane. But if I don't try, I'll regret this forever (well a very long time), and it would be up there with "didn't fly the concorde when I had the chance".

 

[awilcockson]

Ok, I'm going. Time off work got approved today, and I'm now flying to LAX on the 6th with a return from LAX on the 15th.

snap!!

Flights will be booked tomorrow, heading out of Brisbane on the 6th and back on the 16th. Haven't asked for time off work yet

Am still wondering how stupid I am, and whether I really am doing something sane. But if I don't try, I'll regret this forever (well a very long time), and it would be up there with "didn't fly the concorde when I had the chance".

Agree totally. There are 7 of us going, we are staying in a 2 bedroom villa at the Caribe Royale Orlando and taking the kids to the theme parks on the non launch days.

 

[Mal]

Flights will be booked tomorrow, heading out of Brisbane on the 6th and back on the 16th. Haven't asked for time off work yet

If you end up on QF11, then we'll be on the same flight.... (Mind you I'm actually departing Brisbane on the 5th, going to a mysterious location, flying back to SYD on the 6th, collecting QF11 and vice versa on the way home).

7 people in your crew? That's a decent number. Note, if you win the ballot for tickets to KSC viewing/Causeway, then you can only purchase 6.

So there's now 3 AFF'ers (plus others!) heading over to MCO for the launch. Mini-do ... here we come!

See also venue365: Kennedy Space Center: Kennedy Space Center Launch: Landing Page

 

[Mal]

Ok, I'm going. Time off work got approved today, and I'm now flying to LAX on the 6th with a return from LAX on the 15th.

Still can't settle on a hotel! Have a new booking in Orlando @
ORLANDO - INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
7276 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE,
ORLANDO,FLORIDA
UNITED STATES 32819

for 5 nights. (15K PC points/night - I have plenty, so not worried about spending). Will probably book somewhere else for another 4 nights (and hope to cancel ... ).

Now I have to think about flights within the US. Need flexibility ex-MCO, and I also need to think about what my plans will be if the shuttle launch is on time.

 

[awilcockson]

If you end up on QF11, then we'll be on the same flight.... (Mind you I'm actually departing Brisbane on the 5th, going to a mysterious location, flying back to SYD on the 6th, collecting QF11 and vice versa on the way home).

Nope will be virgin Atlantic, much cheaper than QF and my QF points stash is already destined for another purposes.

7 people in your crew? That's a decent number. Note, if you win the ballot for tickets to KSC viewing/Causeway, then you can only purchase 6.

Me, my wife, our 2 kids, my mum, dad and sister.

From what i was reading, the ballot was already closed?

So there's now 3 AFF'ers (plus others!) heading over to MCO for the launch. Mini-do ... here we come!

Absolutely, especially with the grandparents there as baby sitters.

 

[Mal]

From what i was reading, the ballot was already closed?

Opens on the 30th. Start here: Space Shuttle Launch Viewing Tickets - Kennedy Space Center

 

[awilcockson]

Opens on the 30th. Start here: Space Shuttle Launch Viewing Tickets - Kennedy Space Center

Cheers mate, I must have been looking at info for the last launch.

 

[awilcockson]

Flights are booked

QF15/QF3223 - 05 JUL
QF3216/QF16 - 17 JUL

No let's start praying for no weather delays!

 

[Mal]

Entries for the "lottery" to buy tickets starts tonight around midnight our time, and lasts for 5 days.

Max of 6 tickets can be bought per household etc if you win.

 

[tuppaware]

Entries for the "lottery" to buy tickets starts tonight around midnight our time, and lasts for 5 days.

Max of 6 tickets can be bought per household etc if you win.

Already over there at this time in Miami. Planning to get up real early and drive up.
Planning on doing the NASA Causeway tickets...

 

[Mal]

Already over there at this time in Miami. Planning to get up real early and drive up.
Planning on doing the NASA Causeway tickets...

Cool, Another AFF'er to add to the list. Going to be a good catch-up (assuming we can all get organised!)

 

[tuppaware]

Cool, Another AFF'er to add to the list. Going to be a good catch-up (assuming we can all get organised!)

I'll be coming with a couple of mates. I hope the launch isn't delayed.

 

[awilcockson]

I hope the launch isn't delayed.

Don't even go there ... I find myself refreshing the launch schedule page a couple of times a day, hoping that the date doesn't change.

Registered for the ticket lottery at 9:01am EST, now the waiting continues

If anyone happens to win the lottery, and doesn't need all six tickets, can you please let me know because I have a total of seven family members heading over and therefore even if I'm lucky enough to win I'm going to need an extra ticket.

 

[tuppaware]

I'll let you know awilcockson.
I have registered!

 

[el_rooto]

Just registered in the lottery. If someone gets tickets and doesn't need all six, could I please use one? I am more than happy to donate my other 5.

 

[Mal]

I actually registered twice. Screwed up the first time, for some reason put my birthdate the wrong way and put my state as us military south pacific. That's the issue with waking up suddenly during the night and registering. Re-registered with the correct details but not sure if they will stick. Either way, only need one ticket so happy to share with others if i win,and likewise would love a spare tix if available.