Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!mentor.cc.purdue.edu!mace.cc.purdue.edu!dil
From: dil@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Perry G Ramsey)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Most frequently requested info ever
Summary: Glad you asked
Message-ID: <5414@mace.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: 27 Aug 90 16:24:36 GMT
References: <3316@syma.sussex.ac.uk> <769@idsssd.UUCP> <55268@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu>
Organization: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Lines: 39

In article <55268@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu>, kclenden@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Kevin Clendenien) writes:
> I've always wanted to see a shuttle launch.  So, I'm
> requesting any helpful hints, and suggestions that anyone might have on
> how to get a good vantage point,

Glad you asked.  Stop in Titusville, NOT Cocoa Beach.  Titusville is much closer
to Complex 39.  You can get an excellent unobstructed view of the launch
from the shores of the Indian River in north Titusville.  Also, the
hotels are more available and cheaper.  This is based on the assumption
that you are a space nerd.  If you want to watch the girls or otherwise
engage in any sort of fun and diversion, go to Cocoa Beach.  

Even the press site is a long way from the
pad.  Take some binoculars (10X or better would be good).  A camera
with a good telephoto might be interesting, but I suspect that you would
still end up with a horizion and a couple of spots.  On the other hand,
how could you not try?

SEE the visitors center.  There is a lot of good stuff there.  You
get there on State Road 405, which heads east from south of Titusville.
After the launch, go to Ron Jon Surf Shop (the only reason to go to 
Cocoa Beach)(take US 1 to SR 528) and get a Space Shuttle shirt.
If you are into wildlife, see about the Black Point Wildlife Drive, which is on
the Merrit Island Wildlife Refuge.  You get there by going across the river 
on SR 402 in north Titusville.

This is based on 10 years of Apollo watching while I lived in Titusville.
(You thought this was a biased account, didn't you?)

Cocoa scum, flame away!  I have the truth on my side!




-- 
Perry G. Ramsey           Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
perryr@vm.cc.purdue.edu   Purdue University
dil@mace.cc.purdue.edu    We've looked at clouds from ten sides now, 
			  And we REALLY don't know clouds, at all.