Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

[four winns 214]

I photographed the very first space shuttle launch from my Mooney (single-engine airplane) back in 1981. I've photographed three others from airplanes since.

Unfortunately, since 9/11 a temporary flight restriction has been put in place for each launch that prohibits flight anywhere near the Cape. I REALLY want to photograph the last launch and I'm considering trailering a boat all the way from Kentucky to try shooting the launch from the water. What I need is information from those who have done so in the past, e.g., is it worthwhile to view from the water, if so where is the best spot to view, where to launch...

 

[JimMH]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

When I was a kid my family trailered our boat to watch an Apollo mission. We were able to boat very close to the launch site. I have visited Kennedy Space Center with my children a couple of years ago and noticed that they have a fleet of shallow water patrol boats with lots of HP I would imagine that you could still watch from the water but I don't believe that you could get as close as we did in 1969. Good luck and I would love for you to post your pictures.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

Sorry I didn't see your post.

You can watch launches no problem.

Put in at Oakhill's River Breeze park and run south on the icw.

You can get more than close enough.

We just watched this one from the back yard but they are always better looking off the water

 

[GasEaterLA]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

Saw one once off of the deck of a submarine, awesome!

 

[sprintst]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

We watched STS-127 from the Banana Creek vip viewing area about 3 miles from the launch site. The launch got cancelled from bad weather so many times they let us regular types in for good luck...and it worked.

That would be so cool to watch the launch off the water...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

Along the same lines...here is a pic of the nighttime shuttle launch from the Seabreeze Bridge in Daytona Beach.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

Epic photo!

Rocket went up last night.