One of the experiences you can’t get anywhere else on the planet but here in Central Florida is watching a Space Shuttle Launch live. It’s pure magic. Well it’s mainly physics, but it feels like magic.
If you’d like to watch a shuttle launch here are some tips…
Step 1. Plan Your Date
There are only 3 scheduled launches left, so you’ll need to book yourself a trip or request that day off from work. Here’s a link to the NASA Launch Schedule. Once you’ve selected a date, you better hope that it doesn’t get rescheduled. Wasting a day off of work (or vacation) is a bummer if the launch is scrubbed. I supposed you could have an alternate adventure 
Step 2. Select Your Spot
Let’s say everything is go for launch. You need to arrive to your launch destination early to get a seat. How early depends on the time of the launch. I’ve written before about watching a shuttle launch from Jetty Park. There’s also Space View Park in Titusville, the Kennedy Space Center and along highway 1.
Many people don’t make it to any of the above. It’s too far, it’s too crowded, it’s at an odd time of day, I’m allergic to noise, I hate looking up in the sky it hurts my neck, it’s…(you know how I feel about excuses from yesterday’s post). Regardless of the reason they’re missing out.
Step 3. Watch the Launch From Your Home or Hotel
If for whatever reason you make the mistake and never watch a shuttle launch in-person, you can watch it on the TV. And the perk of living in Orlando… you can run outside and see it for yourself. Take a look in this YouTube Video from yesterday morning’s launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-131.
It’s a feeling that’s tough to describe when you watch the astronauts board the shuttle on TV, when the rockets ignite and lift off into the sky and then you can see the rest of the mission take place just outside your door. To think that there are people in that hurtling ball of fire is incredible. It makes it real. It makes it human. It makes it wonderful.
That’s why it’s great to live in Florida.
Do you have a tip for watching the Space Shuttle? Share by commenting below.
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in reading all the posts about watching shuttle launches, I got a wild hair last week and booked airfare last week for myself and my two kids 4 and 6 to get to Orlando and drive over for the Apr 19th shuttle launch.
I’m torn between where to watch the launch from given I will need to occupy my kids time for many hours before the launch.
Jetty Park – kids can play for hours on the sand and in the water, some room to spread out. but I hear you don’t get the full rumble impact which might be a good thing considering the age of my kids. and Can’t see the shuttle on the launch pad. I land at Orlando at 10:30am, am worried about getting to the park by noon (before they close off parking?)
Space view park – closer and you get more of the noise impact in your chest. not near as much room for the kids and I think they would get bored fast.
What about the baseball diamonds just across the street to the north? is this a viewing area too? looks like it on Google maps (I see the condos does obstruct PART of the view from baseball diamonds area).
Would love feedback from others that have tried this adventure with small kids and not knowing where to view from.
Delray Dobbins
Dallas, TX
Delray,
I can’t speak for the other locations. I believe Space View Park plays the audio from the NASA Mission Control, so that may interest the kids. Can you pack a few boardgames in the suitcase? Let me know what you discover!
Excellent points Ben. I’ve seen a few from right here in Central Florida. My first in high school and we were on vacation at WDW – while waiting for our boat launch to take us to Fort Wilderness she went up on the distant horizon. It was just the break of day and that burning con-trail was amazing. So far yet so close…
I’ve also seen a night one and we watched the last one from our new-we-live-here-now neighborhood and it’s still as thrilling. The only thing better would be to be out there along the coast – but I don’t know that that will happen.
You are certainly right though – as crazy as it sounds… it really is a spectacular thing – and even those who think space travel is obsolete seem to figure out the historical and powerful significance of it.
My tip: I know friends who have boats and they say it is the best place to be – you can feel the sound moving towards you across the water.
RoriTravel’s Florida recently posted something special..Falcon’s Fire brings back “Hats Off” for golf loving baseball fans during Spring Training
No matter how many times you watch the shuttle launch, it is spectacular. I’ve yet to see it from a boat or from the NASA visitors complex. Both are on my list.
Love this line- “It makes it real. It makes it human. It makes it wonderful.”
Thank you Sara! When you stop and realize that people are up there, traveling so fast and so high it makes you pause for a moment and reflect. Thanks for commenting!
I do the same thing every time there’s a shuttle launch on TV. Watch it blast off and then run outside to see it. So do all the neighbors. When it’s not early in the morning it becomes a brief social moment for everyone.
Thanks for commenting!
That was fun. Thanks.