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hertfordnc's avatar
hertfordnc
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015

Jetty Park at Canaveral and rocket launch questions

We have a tent reservation at Jetty Park for next Wednesday, there is a rocket launch scheduled or 8:pm.

We will arrive earlier in the day, hang out, fish, etc and then watch the launch (if it happens) then we may or may not spend the night, we have a Condo up the road a couple hours.

I can't get a live person at the campground and I just want to make sure there is not some fatal flaw with this plan.

Do they close any roads in or out?

I know it was insaneyl crowded at the end of the shuttle program, I'm assuming it's not that bad any more.

Anything else I should know?


Thanks

Dave
  • Mr__Camper's avatar
    Mr__Camper
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2015
    We watched both Discovery and Columbia launch and back even further we saw Friendship 7 and Apollo III. Everyone we attended was packed and closed off when full. Sadly, I don't think the excitement is there anymore to pack in the crowds.
  • NoVa_RT's avatar
    NoVa_RT
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    I was at Jetty Park in March (for Nationals Spring Training) and took in a night-time rocket launch from the beach, which you can easily walk to from the campground - just go out the gate. Wasn't very crowded, although from the beach the rocket is mostly a rising ball of flame, but you hear the roar of the engines, too. Might be more difficult to watch from the close-in viewing locations at the Space Center, but I think they charge for that space. Didn't notice any road closures or signs re-directing traffic.
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    No roads closed af all. Depending on what pad the rocket is launching from you may be able to see it with a good pair of binoculars. Watching from the beach is an awesome sight. Just look north east down the cape and weather and no technical glitches you'll have a beautiful show.

    I lived in Cape Canveral for ten years in the nineties and watched a lot of launches. They never get old.
  • wingsfan20's avatar
    wingsfan20
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    You probably will not see the launch since it is being launched at Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. Not our rocket going up on July 22. nasa launch
    Good luck,

    Jim
  • wingsfan20's avatar
    wingsfan20
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    Sorry. Wasn't being a smart A**. Looked at nasa site and not Kennedy Center Site.
    I apologize. Have watched Delta launches as well as shuttle launches,
    all are impressive when you consider the force being generated. We have actually seen launches as far north as Daytona. Enjoy the stay.
  • 1971duster340's avatar
    1971duster340
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    We drove around in the park in May. It was busy, but not overflowing. The summer/Memorial Day crowd could have been the reason. There is an office, so I don't know why contacting is a problem.
    I watched my first Atlas 5 launch some weeks before from the causeway near the cruise ship road exit. It was a very informal gathering. I think clickorlando.com had live streaming.
  • NoVa_RT's avatar
    NoVa_RT
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    There is an office, so I don't know why contacting is a problem.

    My own experience was that it was difficult to get a real person to answer the phone, rather than have to leave a message, although they did call back the next day. I had a reservation inquiry, not sure how quick they are to call back on questions about the general area. When I was actually at the park, the office staff was friendly & helpful.

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