Yes, definitely worth it.
The first one I saw was in late September 1993 just south of New Smyrna Beach. I was at the very south end of Canaveral National Seashore. The shuttle launch was at 645ish, just before dawn. The only relief from mosquitoes at that time of the morning was to stand almost in the ocean.... :-)
There was a fireball to the south when the shuttle launched, as it was still dark down close to the ground. Then a beautiful trajectory to the NE out over the ocean towards the sun...since it wasn't quite daybreak yet, you could see the sun glinting off the shuttle for a very long time.
The most unexpected thing were the series of sonic booms coming down the beach!
Even having to take an rubbing alcohol bath for the mosquito bites was nothing compared to seeing the launch...
Philip N4HF
On Tue, May 12, 2009 at 11:13 PM, Tim Cunningham <tim_cunningham@charter.net
wrote:
It is definitely worth the experience. I have viewed it from the viewing area at the Cape with only a 30 minute delay, but the most memorable was actually from Clearwater on the other coast of Florida. I had just checked into my hotel room for a business trip and turned on the television. As I was looking at the view through the palm tress over some water to the east, I heard the news break that the shuttle was about ready for lift off. The sun was setting on the back side of the hotel and I could see the reflection of the moon on the water through the pine trees at dusk. It was just a few seconds before I saw the glow of the engines and watched the shuttle lift off up and arching over the moon leaving its trail behind. It was an awesome sight! As luck would have it I did not have my camera with me, but that sight is etched in my mind forever.
73's,
Tim - N8DEU
----- Original Message ----- From: "Warren Elly" w1gud@tampabay.rr.com To: "Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF" nigel@ngunn.net Cc: lstenzel@bellsouth.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 7:46 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: About Shuttle Launch on Monday
I've covered more than 100 shuttle lanuches for Tampa CBS now FOX station... Its worth it. Get a room, book the time...and see the sight of a lifetime. Every shuttle is different.... Atlantis unreal Monday...very different angle... A once in a lifetime...worth the trip
great beaches and sea food in-between launch attempts
73, Warren W1GUD On May 12, 2009, at 8:09 PM, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote:
Agreed, but the further you travel, the more chance that the launch will be delayed by a significant number of days or weeks.
lstenzel@bellsouth.net wrote: Viewing of a launch and tour of KSC are worth the trip. _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb