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From: wherry@alazif.enet.dec.com (bradley g wherry)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Getting into the press area for shuttle launches?
Message-ID: <1990Sep2.232143@alazif.enet.dec.com>
Date: 3 Sep 90 05:21:43 GMT
References: <3876@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US>
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In article <3876@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US>, mahaun@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Mark A. Haun)
writes:
|> certain spots in the Titusville area (thanks to the recent posts on
|> that subject), but it sure would be nice to get a bit closer in.

Well letsee, I had a VIP pass for STS-3.  Basically, you got to stand/sit on
the
ground next to the press people.  (There were grandstand seats but you had to
have VVIP etc type passes to sit there.)  After Challenger I'm told that the
press/VIP viewing sites  were moved much, much further away from the 
launch site.

A bunch of friends of mine with relatives that work at the cape tell me that
the
Car Passes are at least as good (if not better) than the VIP/Press Passes.  I've
also
been told by people that have viewed launches from Titusville along the Indian
River
that the view is just as good as the CAR pass area.  Your mileage may vary and
this
is all hearsay as I have not actually been out to the CAR pass viewing site to
judge
the difference myself.  

But then again I also realize that there's a BIG DIFFERENCE from standing next
to 
the Indian River in Titusville and Actually getting to go out to the space
center to view the launch! :-)

btw, if its a NIGHT launch then it really doesn't matter WHERE you are as long
as
you are within oh about 20 miles of the pad, its amazing.

|> 
|> So... is there an address I can send to to receive passes for this

Yes, in general, you either "KNOW SOMEBODY", or you contact your
local congressional representative (his office is generally good 
enough) and request either VIP or CAR passes.  There is no guarantee that
he/she/it will be able to get passes for you. 

If you get a car pass then be prepared to drive out there AS SOON as they
let people onto the viewing sites.  Traffic backs up aways.  Also, you will
want to be patient on the way out as Traffic invariably is backed by folks
leaving.

|> launch (Oct. 5 or later, probably) ?  Anything that can get me
|> closer than Titusville would be appreciated.  Hopefully it's not
|> too late.

good luck in getting those passes.  btw, its also worthwile (if you've
never done been to KSC) to take the bus tour, if for no other reason than
to feel the tour bus shift as all the tourists rush to one side of the bush to 
snap pictures of the happy alligators.

|> 
|> Thanks in advance,

your welcome and good luck in getting those passes.

--
brad wherry                |  Ex ignorantia ad sapientiam; 
wherry@alazif.enet.dec.com |     e luce ad tenebras.