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| Launch: Viewing the Launch in Person |
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All expendable vehicles launched in Central Florida lift off from pads on
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station next door to Kennedy Space Center.
There are several off-site viewing locations that can be used to view the launch:
- The Bee Line Expressway, also called State Road 528. The
portions of the Bee Line crossing over the Banana River are good vantage points.
- Jetty Park (407) 783-7111 at Port Canaveral, on the Atlantic
Ocean just south of the Cape Canaveral Air Station border. Both
Space Shuttle and expendable launch vehicle liftoffs can be
viewed from here. There is a minimal admission fee. The park
typically closes at 9 p.m. but adjusts its hours to accommodate
launch viewing.
- Off State Road A1A along the Atlantic Ocean on the beach in Cocoa Beach.
- Along the Indian River on U.S. Highway 1, especially in Titusville.
- Boaters viewing launches should tune to Channel 17 VHT-FM for
instructions from the Coast Guard pertaining to restricted
areas. The Coast Guard will patrol those areas in the rivers
and offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters may not enter the
southern part of Mosquito Lagoon (past the Haulover Canal).
However, the Canal, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, will
remain open to traffic. Boaters may not set foot on any land
that is part of the Kennedy Space Center or the Cape Canaveral
Air Station.
- Although not an official source of NASA information, the Launch
Information Service and Amateur Television System (LISATS)
retransmits both NASA audio and video signals for
launches. Audio transmissions are at 146.94 Mhz
and video is transmitted on amateur television at 421.75 Mhz.
LISATS transmissions may be somewhat sporatic, but generally
begin about three hours before liftoff and continue through
landing. These are not official NASA transmissions and are not
subject to NASA oversight or quality standards. NASA does not
endorse or otherwise sponsor or support the LISATS and/or its
retransmission efforts.
You can visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to
view the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launch (see the Visitor Complex Launch Details page for detailed information). No special tickets or reservations are required; viewing this launch is included
in the admission price. The Visitor Complex will open at 6:30am on the day of the launch to accommodate those wishing
to view the launch.
For additional information about visiting Kennedy Space Center, please view their website:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/
More information about viewing launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center
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