Shuttle Launch

[UK_Tomcat_Fan]

Hi Guys,

Looks like ill be in FL for the next shuttle launch seeing that the date has been put back 4 days from the 12th to the 16th.

would it be worth purchasing launch causeway tickets and viewing / shooting from there, has anyone got any sample images from shooting at the causeway.

Im assuming i will have to use my 170-500mm lens to get remotely close (on a crop body the lens is 800mm)

Thanks

Martin

[neilwood32]

Causeway tickets are brilliant - I got some in May when I was there for my aniversary with my mother and father. It is definately worth doing - my family still talk about it 6 months later!

I would definately say that you will need the 170-500 (possibly longer if you can). I shot with the 70-300 and it only filled about 20-30% of the shot. Light will not be an issue - unless there is adverse weather in which case the launch would be postponed anyway.

i would also make sure you have plenty memory (preferably on one card). I ended up shooting about 200 frames on 3FPS and the last thing you want to be doing is running out of space or switching cards once things start happening. If using the 50D, i would suggest buying an 8GB card.

Also - take a book and sunscreen - you will be sitting on the causeway for a long time (1-2 hrs possibly). I used lots of factor 30 and still got burned on my knees and arms.

[UK_Tomcat_Fan]

Well i couldnt get Causeway tickets, so i now need to know where we can go instead, my fiance thinks the beach at titusville will be closer.

[BigCol]

I was lucky enough to fulfil a life long wish be able to see a launch back in August (STS-128), but I was in Titusville which is 12 miles. My tip is to make sure you take it all in and don't watch it all through the viewfinder!

The only thing to be careful with the causeway tickets is reading about what happens if the launch is scrubbed.


Hi Guys,

Looks like ill be in FL for the next shuttle launch seeing that the date has been put back 4 days from the 12th to the 16th.

would it be worth purchasing launch causeway tickets and viewing / shooting from there, has anyone got any sample images from shooting at the causeway.

Im assuming i will have to use my 170-500mm lens to get remotely close (on a crop body the lens is 800mm)

Thanks

Martin

[DeaconG]

The launch has been pushed back to the 18th, last I checked...

You can still get car passes from the KSC Visitor Center, which would put you on the causeway between KSC and Cape Canaveral AFS...a very nice place to watch the launch (no sample images, unfortunately, because I usually WORK the launches)...

Some tips:

Titusville is a nuthouse during launches. All the major roads are going to lock up before and definitely after a launch, so be aware that you're going to be spending a lot of time behind the wheel.

If you're going to be on KSC during the launch, make sure you get on KSC at least one hour before because they will lock the gates down at that point until a minimum of 15 minutes after launch. IMHO, when you leave avoid SR 405 (NASA Causeway) westbound like the plague after a launch. Take SR 3 south to the Beachline, and don't dawdle.

If you end up IN Titusville, it will be difficult (but not impossible) to get a good viewing area for the launch AND find a place to park that's not a total hike unless you get there at LEAST two hours prior to launch. IMHO, don't even bother with Space View Park...you're gonna have to be there real, REAL early to get a place.

Now, MY favorite spot is Rotary Waterfront Park, which has a fishing pier that extends out into the Indian River. It will get crowded fast, so you may want to get there at least three hours prior (it's off US 1, across from the KSC Federal Credit Union and just south of a McDonalds). You can park in the office complex across the street-WOOT!

Bring a camp chair or a folding chair with you. You WILL need it.

If you have a monopod, it might be a better idea than a tripod due to the number of people that's probably going to be there.

I have shot a Shuttle launch from there, the nice part is that you get a real clear shot a Pad 39A from there, it's just about 12 miles. I have the Bigmos and attempted to shoot the Ares 1-X launch from there, so your 170-500 will swing it.

When you leave Titusville, don't even consider SR 50 westbound-you'll spend your time crawling at 10-15 MPH. Take US 1 north to Garden Street (SR 406), take it westbound out to I-95 and boogie.

Take your time and have a good time!

[neilwood32]

Even if the KSC causeway tickets are sold out - you may find a coach tour company that still has them. We ended up getting a couch trip - which actualy made the day a lot easier as we didnt have to worry about directions etc. If i get a chance later i will post a pic from the causeway taken at 300mm to let you get an idea of length/size.

[neilwood32]

Ok - Launch platform 39A as seen from the causeway with a 70-300mm (resized for here)

That should give you an idea of what the 500mm will get.

I would definately take a standard lens with you as well as you will probably see a lot of stuff in Kennedy Space centre (launch tickets entitle you to another days visit within 7 days)

[sawdust_128]

Veteran's park. It also is twelve miles out. You can get there early with chair and sunscreen and get set up on the walkways on the water front. Ensures you are front row. The PA system keeps you up to date with info as they rebroadcast the transmissions from flight command. Did I mention that you should get there early, really early. Almost ridiculously early.:cry:

Pull out big glass and see just how many friends you have right away.:lol: Lot's of people to share shots with and takes some of the pressure off you if you make those connections.

Wife and I both shot with 40Ds. We coordinated with about 5 others shooting 40Ds to make sure we had the bases covered. After, we all exchanged images with each other.

You will either go to shoot or to watch. Either way, it is over in less than 2 minutes. So, make sure everything is working and you know what settings you want. Not much chance to change things once they hit ignition.

The worst part of the whole thing is the traffic jam afterwards. We just stayed at Veteran's Park (Space walk) and hung out for a few hours and the traffic was still bad. If I did it again, I would just walk to one of the cafe's and hang out, if possible.

Good Luck!

[sawdust_128]

From Veteran's Park at 200mm

404449

404450

My wife was shooting at the same time at 400mm. I don't have those on this computer to show you, but you can read the lettering on the shuttle.

Although the 200 was a bit weak on the actual shuttle, it was great for the after effects of the exhaust plume in the setting sun light.

These have been converted from raw to jpg without any corrections. The finished shots I am working with now are of much better quality, distortion fixed and noise reduced with a minor amount of sharpening.

We shot capturing both raw and jpg. We both overran the write speed several times. We each filled one and a quarter 8gb cards. in less than about 3 minutes. Work out how to shoot the after launch at the pad. I saw some really neat long exposures of that. I didn't think to do that at the time.

[DeaconG]

I said the launch had slipped...my bad. It's still the 16th at 2:28 PM.

[UK_Tomcat_Fan]

Now, MY favorite spot is Rotary Waterfront Park, which has a fishing pier that extends out into the Indian River. It will get crowded fast, so you may want to get there at least three hours prior (it's off US 1, across from the KSC Federal Credit Union and just south of a McDonalds). You can park in the office complex across the street-WOOT!



ok how do i get there from the VAC (Valiant air command)

[DeaconG]

Sorry I didn't catch your question sooner:

From the Warbird Museum, turn right to go eastbound on SR 405. At the cloverleaf for the US 1/SR 405 intersection, take the second right (marked North US 1). Go past the first light at SR 50 and the second light at Knox-McRae Road, look to your right and you should see it (Dogs R Us and the KSC Federal Credit Union is on your left).

HTH