wjl@inuxg.UUCP (Wm Lumpkin) (06/18/84)
I am planning a trip to see the lauch of the discovery on monday the 25th.
I would like to know in advance what to expect and where to get the
best view. We are planning to sleep in the van and I would like to
know where to park and how far I need to walk. If I find much
interest I will post a summary of what I learn and see. Thanks
W. J. Lumpkin
AT&T Indianapolis
317-845-6316
(if I cant fix it, its not broke)arlan@inuxd.UUCP (A Andrews) (06/19/84)
I will be down there, near the Cape also, and need similar information for viewing the launch on the 25th --arlan (317-845-6197; CORnet 8-338-6197)
wrp@ariel.UUCP (W.PENNOCK) (06/21/84)
I was planning a trip to the KSC for launch 41D back when it was supposed to
be on the 20th. My plans have since changed. I did however find out some
information.
The Kennedy Space Center Information number: (305) 452-2121
(and for future launches) Car passes are available by writing to:
NASA Public Affairs
PA-VIC
JFK SPACE CENTER
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
(Ask for a car pass) This allows you to drive you car onto the base.
Inexpensive lodging can be obtained at the following places:
Best Western Cocoa Inn
~10 mi from KSC
Just east of I-95 on 520
(305) 632-1065
Motel 6
Cocoa Beach
(305) 783-0890
I have a car pass (probably too late to send)
Bill Pennock
AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
...houxg!ariel!wrpgiles@ucf-cs.UUCP (Bruce Giles) (06/25/84)
Geesh, I don't read news for one week and I was needed...
It's too late for everyone coming to watch 41-D, but for future
information:
(1): Car Passes: Per NASA (last time I asked), allow at least
4 launch notice. That is, if you want to attend the n-th
launch on NASA property, request the pass by the n-4 th
launch date.
(2): Good Sites: Traffic is really starting to thin around here
as everyone is getting used to the launches. You can probabily
get by arriving at *near* the viewing spots only 1-2 hours in
advance (like me tomorrow!). On good site is the north NASA
entrance (the one leading to Playalinda National Seashore).
Park in a nearby shopping mall, walk 1/4 mile past all the
bums sitting in their cars, and camp out near the top of the
bridge. You can actually see the launch gantry from the top
of the bridge!!!!!!! Of course, it's also nearly due east,
so looking into the sun can be a problem.
The south entrance also has devoted followers, contact the
Titusville CofC for other sites.
Personally, I think I may try the north end of the PNS tomorrow.
If I do go there, I will be on NASA property ~15 miles north of
the pad. BUT, I will be the closest non-NASA person on Merritt
Island excepting people on the east side of the above beach.
And I won't have to look into the sun.
(3): NASA Tours: They offer them daily, EXCEPT FOR THE DAY OF LAUNCHES.
Therefore, arrive a few days early (if possible), and you'll get
*very* close (or so I hear) to a shuttle on the pad.
You can also go to PNS. It seems strange, but I've actually
gotten use to seeing a shuttle towering over the beach when I
go. (It's not *that* bad, but you do get a pretty good view
of the launch complexes from the access roads, and NASA has
become *VERY* liberal with its security perimeter near PNS).
They also just opened a 5 1/2 story IMAX screen!!!! The ads say
they are showing an edited version of *Hail Columbia* -- perhaps
they have included shots from the lastest missions ?!?!?!
(Review if requested -- I'm going sometime this week).
(4): Cheap Lodging: If you want it cheap, DO NOT stay in Orlando
(for Ricky Rat & fiends) and drive to Titusville for the launch
date. Orlando has *lots* of hotel space, but you pay for it
during tourist season. Of course, off season (fall, early
spring) it may well be cheaper to stay in Orlando, as the
hotels are trying desperately to increase their occupancy, a
pressure Titusville hotels do not feel as strongly.
(5): Weather et al: Florida + Summer = Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain ....
Also, Florida + Summer + Snowbirds = Burn Burn Burn Burn Burn ....
So, if you are out for any length of time, bring along an
umbrella (wood handle, not metal!) and sunblock (PF 15 if you
are from north of the Mason-Dixon line).
Seriously -- I used to work at Dismal World (we're all mad at
Disney "management" right now...) and an unbelievable number of
people got fried because they forgot that the sun is only a few
degrees from overhead during the summer. Remember -- Central
Florida is at 29.5 degrees north! After all, I, a native of
Orlando, generally go to the beach for only 2-3 hours (after
months of conditioning) and *still* have a minor sunburn
afterwards.
(6): Ripley's Section: Believe it or not, KSC is having problems
with a PIG POPULATION EXPLOSION!!!. Less than two weeks ago
I jogged on a nature trail *directly* across from the landing
strip (it was visible when they showed the shuttle landing --
green then road then runway) and encountered a moderate sized
pig. After I returned to my car, I met someone else who
frequents the trail, and he said they are extremely common.
I knew NASA estimated they have ~ 1000 pigs on site, and that
they were/are worried about one darting out in front of a landing
shuttle, but somehow it didn't seem real until I saw them!
If anyone has specific questions, (I may live to regret this) mail
them to me. I am pretty sure that we are the closest USENET site
to KSC; I think nothing of a trip to it, it's so close. (Literally,
I go to PNS in part because it's the closest beach by far. Primarily
because it's NATIVE).
ave discordia going bump in the night ...
bruce giles
{decvax, duke}!ucf-cs!giles university of central florida
giles.ucf-cs@Rand-Relay orlando, florida 32816