ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

That' s it! That is the place, Primanti Brothers on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. I recognize it from the Google map street level photo. I also ate at the Thai place above it on the second floor.

If we had one of those here that is the only place I would eat pizza as well. I was walking down the beach looking for lunch, saw how packed it was with local looking people (a good sign), and figured it was worth a try. Really, it was the best slice of cheese pizza I think I have ever had.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Finally some videos are being posted on youtube.

Here is a great hi-res YouTube video of the launch. Very close up shots, multiple cameras. Watch the "vehicle ascent statistics" window to see just how fast it climbs and accelerates, particularly with the SRBs lit (up to about T +2 minutes).



I ran the calculation today and it took about 23 seconds for the sound to reach us where we were at. Though I intended to listen for this, I honestly could not remember how long it took being so transfixed by what I was watching.

Here is an amateur video that I am 95% sure was shot at the causeway, about 1/4 mile West from where we were standing (it does not say in his comments where it was shot). This exposure level is pretty close to what I remember so this is what it looked like if you were there. Look at the sky light up and turn blue around the launch area. Also notice the sound takes about 22 seconds to reach the camera which is consistent with a causeway location.



Man just watching it gives me goosebumps all over again

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

Digging this back up to add this amazing long-exposure shot I got in my email. This was taken in Ponte Vedra.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

That is a great picture.

clay

iTrader: (6)

That's from the intercostal bridge just 13 miles from my house (and 150 or more from the launch). I've never thought of watching a launch from there, but it's a great idea. I have heard of people watching from the beach though.

ArtieParty

iTrader: (1)

How do you get tickets for the causeway? Where do you get them from? I would LOVE to be able to one day go and see a launch live. How expensive is it?

clay

iTrader: (6)

If you want to see a shuttle launch, you had better act quickly. Only 4 more launches... EVER!
Cut and pasted from here:

The Shuttle Discovery is preparing to launch on mission STS-131 to the International Space Station on April 5 at 6:21am EDT, 47 minutes before sunrise and a night launch with just a drop of blue on the horizon if it goes April 5. The launch window opens five minutes before this time and closes 5-8 minutes after depending on the day. The launch time gets 23-25 minutes earlier each day.

LAST THREE LAUNCHES (EARLIEST DATES):

STS-132, last flight of Atlantis - Planned for May 14 at 2:28pm EDT

STS-134, last flight of Endeavour - Planned for July 29 at 7:51am EDT (sunrise 6:43am EDT)

STS-133, last flight of Discovery - Planned for September 16 at 11:57am EDT

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Damn that's amazing how quickly it gets up there. You don't realize that when you see it on TV and they follow it assent zoomed in. Cool

KPLAFIN

iTrader: (1)

The "last shuttle launch ever" taking place on my 22nd B-day, I may have to make a trip to FL for this one.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

NASA tickets sell out fast, within minutes of going on sale. About the only way to get Causeway tickets is to go through one of the bus charter companies. I used Grey Line Tours.
VIP Space Shuttle Launch Viewing with Gray Line Orlando

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

And now, they're quite a bit further from their goal:

1 pilot dead, 1 major injury in Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo accident: officials | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/2717702...ng-test-flight


I can't help but read this line and wonder.. ... "Seven-Mary-Three and Four, report of a spaceship crash in Cantil Township, please respond."



(People who grew up watching daytime TV in the late 70s / early 80s will understand.)