STS-135 - Final Atlantis Launch
- Thread starter Kristie
- Start date
Bumblebee
Commodore
are you planning on watching the launch?
Sidious
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I live about 4-5 miles away from the river and was planning on just leaving super early to get a good spot. Did everyone decide on a definite spot to watch it from? If so then I can just meet there.
Bumblebee
Commodore
we are coming from Orlando, and do not have any idea where to go...can we come meet you at your spot? We can bring goodies! I am pm'ing
Gonzo
Well-Known Member
Is the launch at 11:26 or 11:35. I know it is only 9 minutes but it is a big 9 minutes. I am working MIA-IND on the 8th at 11:00. So me and the CA are planing on being over the ORL VOR at launch time.
The launch window opens at 11:21:46 and closes at 11:35:04. The preferred, or in-plane, time of launch is 11:26:46. During the 45-min built-in hold at T-9min, they'll re-calculate the exact times but will only change by a few seconds. They'll be aiming for launch the moment the ISS is in-plane with the launch pad (11:26:46) but could extend the window to 11:31:46 and make a rendezvous and docking on Flight Day 3, which is preferred, however could extend the window to 11:35:04 and dock on Flight Day 4..
They *could* launch at the beginning of the window, I've only seen it happen once, on STS-105, where approaching weather that could've been a factor made them decide (during the final hold) to go early to beat the weather.
Probably way more info that you wanted, but oh well.
They really want the preferred launch time of 11:26 though to be the most propellant efficient.. every second they're off on either side means more on-board propellant has to be used for maneuvering once on orbit.
They *could* launch at the beginning of the window, I've only seen it happen once, on STS-105, where approaching weather that could've been a factor made them decide (during the final hold) to go early to beat the weather.
Probably way more info that you wanted, but oh well.
They really want the preferred launch time of 11:26 though to be the most propellant efficient.. every second they're off on either side means more on-board propellant has to be used for maneuvering once on orbit.
Bumblebee
Commodore
I love that you posted this...I appreciate JC so much! Thank you! My wife and I lapped this up like a kitten does cream! (more please if you're so inclined!) Just to let you know, I saw them launch the Hubble 21 years ago, and although I will only be home for 2 weeks from May to September, we are flying to Florida from California to see this final launch...
pullup
Homewrecker
I'll let you know, man!!! That's awesome, I love JC.
well, things happen that you just don't expect and i'm uttery disappointed...but it looks like if i make it, it will be by my chinny chin chin....I was advised by my docs and friends/family that traveling this week might not be the best idea...plus I might have to undergo some "routine" surgery.
So if i make it, i probably won't be there until Thursday night. That's if the recovery gods AND the non-rev gods are working with me.
So if i make it, i probably won't be there until Thursday night. That's if the recovery gods AND the non-rev gods are working with me.
well, things happen that you just don't expect and i'm uttery disappointed...but it looks like if i make it, it will be by my chinny chin chin....I was advised by my docs and friends/family that traveling this week might not be the best idea...plus I might have to undergo some "routine" surgery.
So if i make it, i probably won't be there until Thursday night. That's if the recovery gods AND the non-rev gods are working with me.
I hope you make it!! And everyone else too, leave early, or camp out.. do whatever it takes;
*if* you can muscle you way in to Titusville.. there's a spot, near the McDonald's on the river (also a pier that will be loaded with people)- direct, unobstructed view from 12 miles away. You think you won't see anything, until it goes and you're blinded by the SRB plume. However getting there may be extremely difficult, or require parking faaar away and walking. But even from there there'll be a distant rumble.
Just remember you're watching each SRB burn 12,000 lbs of propellant, and the main engines gulp 3000 lbs of propellent, PER SECOND. 7.5 million pounds of thrust = way cool lol
Also.. if anyone is sticking around for the weekend, I'm sure it'll still be a mob-scene, but the KSC visitor's center is great - the tour of course is cool, plus the shuttle-launch "ride" is fun.
And.. lastly.. if they don't fly on Fri for some reason, assuming it's weather or minor technical issue, with each day, the launch window opens *about* 25 minutes earlier.
Fri's preferred launch time is 11:26, Sat 11:01, Sun 10:38.
ZapBrannigan
If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
I was at the KSC visitor's center last week. They have some fantastic t-shirts celebrating the Atlantis / STS135 "Grand Finale" -- I grabbed about $140 worth. (One to wear, one to keep, you get the idea) plus hats, patches, bag-stickers etc. The shuttle "simulator" ride is, in my opinion, not worth the wait. The Saturn / Apollo facility is the best part of the bus tour. Really outstanding. Wish I had more time to explore the place but with a 5 year old's patience running thin we left early. I'd highly recommend it if you have the time.
This trip we'll be on the causeway to see the launch and then probably just head back to Orlando as soon as we're able to get back to our car. Will anyone else be on NASA causeway to view the launch? They said we can't bring coolers but we may try to smuggle in as much water as possible to help stay cool. Thanks for the info on the launch window for subsequent days! We will be in Orlando until the morning of the 11th so we've got a couple of shots to head back and see it if it delays.
Can't wait!
Kristie, feel better soon.
This trip we'll be on the causeway to see the launch and then probably just head back to Orlando as soon as we're able to get back to our car. Will anyone else be on NASA causeway to view the launch? They said we can't bring coolers but we may try to smuggle in as much water as possible to help stay cool. Thanks for the info on the launch window for subsequent days! We will be in Orlando until the morning of the 11th so we've got a couple of shots to head back and see it if it delays.
Can't wait!
Kristie, feel better soon.
Bumblebee
Commodore
hey thanks again for your insight, the greater understanding of the forces at play will undoubtedly enhance our experience of this launch
pullup
Homewrecker
well, things happen that you just don't expect and i'm uttery disappointed...but it looks like if i make it, it will be by my chinny chin chin....I was advised by my docs and friends/family that traveling this week might not be the best idea...plus I might have to undergo some "routine" surgery.
So if i make it, i probably won't be there until Thursday night. That's if the recovery gods AND the non-rev gods are working with me.
Aroo??
Good luck, routine is usually routine.
OK, don't get too down yet Kristie.. Florida weather is not favorable for launching in the summer and the early forecast is not great for Fri, with only slight improvement over the weekend..
Of course, they've gone into a launch day with 10% chance of favorable weather and gotten off.. and had 90% chance of favorable weather that hasn't panned out, so you never know.
I'd strongly advise you guys going to keep checking on http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com It's a site that has SERIOUS inside info on the technical things especially.. several times they've announced a scrub nearly a half hour before even NASA PAO announced it or the news media.. they've got folks behind the scenes feeding them info.
Just scroll down to the "Atlantis" section and each launch attempt day they'll have a thread with nearly constant updates starting about the time they start pumping 532,000 gallons of liquid propelant into the External Tank.
And again.. have fun!
Of course, they've gone into a launch day with 10% chance of favorable weather and gotten off.. and had 90% chance of favorable weather that hasn't panned out, so you never know.
I'd strongly advise you guys going to keep checking on http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com It's a site that has SERIOUS inside info on the technical things especially.. several times they've announced a scrub nearly a half hour before even NASA PAO announced it or the news media.. they've got folks behind the scenes feeding them info.
Just scroll down to the "Atlantis" section and each launch attempt day they'll have a thread with nearly constant updates starting about the time they start pumping 532,000 gallons of liquid propelant into the External Tank.
And again.. have fun!
Bumblebee
Commodore
I'm on vacation from the tanker so Winnie and I have one shot to see this launch....apparently it isn't looking good for Friday for wx. Thanks for the link! My only other option is if my tanker is sill in Lake CIty FL, our day off is Tuesday, but wifey won't be able to make that one.
Well, again.. waaayy too early to tell. Florida weather is.. dynamic.
There was a launch within recent memory that had 100% chance of good weather.. and they did launch but it got dicey nearing the time as some unexpected clouds developed.
There was also one I remember distinctly, STS-94, that had about 10% chance, was raining about a halfhour to launch.. and it cleared at the appointed hour and all was fine.
If they feel there's even a remote possibility, they'll likely give it the ol' college try. But remember that the weather also must be somewhat acceptable at about 2am when they start the loading of propellants (no lightning w/in certain distance, etc.. can't remember the exact parameters right now)
Bumblebee
Commodore
unfortunately, we are out. Our kitty had a lump that grew really fast over the last couple of days and today the vet advised that it is Vaccine Associated Sarcoma... we need to take care of her and with my limited availability at home (needing to be back on the tanker next week) this is the only time we have to make the decisions we need to make together and it is likely we will need to put her down this week.
So sorry, we were really looking forward to this trip. I know we will be there Nov into Dec.
So sorry, we were really looking forward to this trip. I know we will be there Nov into Dec.