One of the most thrilling experiences you will ever see in your entire life (in my opinion )is a rocket launch and one of the best places to see one is Orlando Florida. The kennedy space centre is only an hours drive from the main Orlando tourist area , a straight drive, not complicated and certainly worth the drive if there is a launch planned.
The kennedy space centres open to tourists at any time during the year and is worth a visit anyway even if there isn’t a launch, but if there is one scheduled it is a must.
To find information on any of the launches planned just go onto the NASA website and they will be listed, you can see if there is likely to be one for the time you know you will be in Orlando and if there is it is then possible to book tickets to be taken out to a special viewing area to watch the launch. You can see the launches from other points around Orlando , a good place is Cocoa beach or some spots along the road at Titesville, but getting tickets to the viewing area is worth doing as it also gives you access into the space centre as well and the atmosphere is absolutely electric.
If you are lucky enough to be able to plan your trip with a coinciding launch, firstly find out when the tickets will be available as they do go very quickly. Once you have done this purchase the tickets and they will be delivered to you here in the UK with a parking sticker to put onto the car, it is important that you have this as cars not displaying the parking ticket will not be allowed any where near the space centre let alone into the car park.
The day of the launch you must allow yourself plenty of time as the crowds of cars are horrendous and the trip there can take a little longer than normal.
On arrival at the space centre you will be shown where to park and led through to where several buses are there to take you to the viewing area. Once at the viewing area the coverage of the launch is put over a tannoy even hours before the rocket is scheduled to go up , all very exciting though. If possible make sure you have applied sun screen as you are going to be there for a while it is easy to get burnt ( unless of course the launch is a night time one ! ) There is toilet cubicle set out and snack vans available as most people are there quite a while before.
When it gets to the countdown the atmosphere is tense , everyone is quiet and have their cameras and videos at the ready.
10 ..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 Lift off the cheers will go up the people will shout cry and it is truly remarkable. As you watch the rocket go up it is several seconds before you hear any noise , then it comes , the earth shuddering booming of the rocket as it gets further up. If the position of lift off is good you will even see the separation before it eventually gets out of sight.
Once the launch has taken place you will be transported back to the space centre and if it is a daytime launch you are then free to spend some time looking around the centre.
An experience not to be missed !
The kennedy space centres open to tourists at any time during the year and is worth a visit anyway even if there isn’t a launch, but if there is one scheduled it is a must.
To find information on any of the launches planned just go onto the NASA website and they will be listed, you can see if there is likely to be one for the time you know you will be in Orlando and if there is it is then possible to book tickets to be taken out to a special viewing area to watch the launch. You can see the launches from other points around Orlando , a good place is Cocoa beach or some spots along the road at Titesville, but getting tickets to the viewing area is worth doing as it also gives you access into the space centre as well and the atmosphere is absolutely electric.
If you are lucky enough to be able to plan your trip with a coinciding launch, firstly find out when the tickets will be available as they do go very quickly. Once you have done this purchase the tickets and they will be delivered to you here in the UK with a parking sticker to put onto the car, it is important that you have this as cars not displaying the parking ticket will not be allowed any where near the space centre let alone into the car park.
The day of the launch you must allow yourself plenty of time as the crowds of cars are horrendous and the trip there can take a little longer than normal.
On arrival at the space centre you will be shown where to park and led through to where several buses are there to take you to the viewing area. Once at the viewing area the coverage of the launch is put over a tannoy even hours before the rocket is scheduled to go up , all very exciting though. If possible make sure you have applied sun screen as you are going to be there for a while it is easy to get burnt ( unless of course the launch is a night time one ! ) There is toilet cubicle set out and snack vans available as most people are there quite a while before.
When it gets to the countdown the atmosphere is tense , everyone is quiet and have their cameras and videos at the ready.
10 ..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 Lift off the cheers will go up the people will shout cry and it is truly remarkable. As you watch the rocket go up it is several seconds before you hear any noise , then it comes , the earth shuddering booming of the rocket as it gets further up. If the position of lift off is good you will even see the separation before it eventually gets out of sight.
Once the launch has taken place you will be transported back to the space centre and if it is a daytime launch you are then free to spend some time looking around the centre.
An experience not to be missed !