Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bmcg.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bmcg!stanley
From: stanley@bmcg.UUCP (Stanley S. Acton)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: VIP Shuttle Passes
Message-ID: <1756@bmcg.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Jul-85 16:52:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: bmcg.1756
Posted: Tue Jul 23 16:52:24 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 04:14:23 EDT
References: <112@cpsc53a.UUCP> <303@pyramid.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Burroughs Corp. ASG, San Diego, CA.
Lines: 33

> 
> >	The sight is about 1.5 miles from the shuttle launch pad and you get 
> >	GREAT viewing!!
> 
> 2.	The site for the pass mentioned is about 5 miles due south of the
> 	launch pad;  I think even the blockhouse (Is that what it is called
> 	these days?) is 3 miles away!

The closest you can get to a shuttle launch is about 3 miles.  That is
where the building with all the big dark windows next to the VAB is.
If you are so lucky as to be there, i.e. family of crew, employee or
someone very important, you get to stand on the roof of this place
with a great view.  The press section is about 500 yards from there and
also has a great view, just about 4 stories lower.  Then there
is the Offical Guest area, I think this is the area of which a previous 
article spoke.  It is about 4.5 miles away, and the ascent of the 
shuttle is somewhat blocked by the huge steam cloud produced by the 
firing of the mains for 6 seconds before launch.  

There is also a large viewing area about 5-6 miles away that is open to
the general public for all launches.  This may not be true for DoD launches.  
This area is really not all that bad, and they have all sorts of loud 
speakers and port-a-toilets to handle any size crowd that might show up.

If I were you, I would make it a point to see one of these lift-offs
from where ever.  It is really amazing.
-- 
..!sdcsvax!bmcg!stanley

Stanley S. Acton
Burroughs Corporation
Advanced Systems Group
(619) 485-4494