Prepare to hurtle through the cosmos!

May 7, 2010 7:46 AM

Looking for the best non-Kennedy Space Center location to watch the STS-132 launch.

I am making an extremely last-minute trip to see the Atlantis launch next Friday, and as such have not been able to get any viewing tix for inside the Space Center complex. SADFACE! There are still tix available on a first come first served basis for the Astronaut Hall of Fame, but as they go on sale at 11am, I don't think my 9am flight arrival will give me enough time to get there. (like I said, extremely last minute.)

So! What are some of the best locations outside Kennedy to view the launch? I am totally okay with standing on the side of the road like a hobo, and not at all okay with anything involving trespassing on Federal property.

posted by elizardbits to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

I watched one from some biker bar across the water (intracoastal waterway?), I wish I could remember the name. It had a dock.
posted by mareli at 7:54 AM on May 7, 2010

You can see the launch hundreds of miles away, so anywhere remotely close will work. Just take your rental car from the Airport (I am assuming Orlando Int'l), take the tollway east to Titusville, then drive A1A (either North or South). Every business on the road will have parking for $5 or $10 to let you watch the launch.
posted by I am the Walrus at 8:18 AM on May 7, 2010

Best answer: This previous question, especially the link to Ben Cooper's page, has a lot of good info. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is closer than hwy. 1 in Titusville, but you can't see the launch pad, if that is important to you. We just saw STS 131, and I assure you it is well worth the trip.
posted by TedW at 8:38 AM on May 7, 2010

The locals generally congregate at Jetty Park. I can confirm that launches viewed from there are spectacular.
posted by misha at 9:21 AM on May 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Whoa, I can't believe I missed that link in the previous post. I fail at internets. :/

I think I will aim for Space View Park!
posted by elizardbits at 10:21 PM on May 7, 2010

Did you get to see the launch? It looked great on TV and must have been spectacular for eveyone who was there in person. 2 more to go!
posted by TedW at 3:31 AM on May 16, 2010

Response by poster: OMG I SAW IT FROM SPACE VIEW PARK AND IT WAS FUCKING RAD.

I am totally going again in September.
posted by elizardbits at 8:47 PM on May 17, 2010 [1 favorite]