Reply To: Pre-Cruise Orlando/Kennedy Take Over
I’m just going to paste this here:
ATLAS 5 LAUNCH VIEWING
For Atlas 5 launches off Pad 41 (28.583 N, 80.583 W),
Playalinda Beach is the closest and best spot, at 4.8 miles from the
launch pad; however, it is not open for night launches, and can
sometimes be closed for other launches even if they are daytime.
The Saturn V Center museum (5.3 miles), a stop on the KSC visitors
complex tours, is an excellent option as well for Atlas 5 launches,
accessed by taking the bus tour at the Visitor’s Complex.
And finally, the NASA causeway, the famous viewing site of space
shuttle launches, may be used in the future for the Atlas 5. Viewing
from here is just 5.0 to 5.2 miles from Pad 41.
Previously available only for mid-day launches, new interest in the
post-shuttle era may continue to see special hours and launch viewing
tickets sold through http://www.KennedySpaceCenter.com for the Saturn V Center and/or NASA causeway. Be sure to sign up for information on those tickets and when they will go on sale for each launch.
At any other time, and at night if no such tickets are available,
the best option will be Port Canaveral on Route 401, at 11.7 miles from
the pad. From Port Canaveral, Atlas 5 launches will be clearly visible
but produce a moderate rumble at best due to the distance; the sound is
likey to be better defined for Atlas 5 launches without solid rocket
boosters as they are much slower, but they are also somewhat less
visible, at least in the daytime, and especially so on a hazy day.
I suggest we book a tour for that afternoon, and hang around at the Saturn V center until the launch, or see about launch viewing tickets.