Or, to ask it another way, how often does a shuttle actually launch when scheduled, or when it is delayed what is the typical length of the delay?
It seems to me that shuttle launches are delayed more often than not, either because of weather or a mechanical issue. I’ve always wanted to go see a shuttle launch in person, but that would require me scheduling some vacation time in Florida, booking a hotel room for several days, etc. I’m smart enough to realize that I should plan my vacation with the shuttle launch early on, so that if there is a delay I still have a few extra days available to try and catch it. But how many extra days should I plan in order to decrease the likelihood of going home empty-handed?
Also, are there any particular times of the year where the shuttle has a better chance of not being delayed by the weather?
If you want to be close enough to actually see the launch and not just a fireball in the distance you might want to schedule it WAY ahead of time. Last time I checked, tickets to watch a launch were wait-listed for a long time.
As a kid, my siblings and I used to watch the “just a fireball” from launches (admitedly not the shuttle) from our apartment in Orlando (way inland). Night launches were really spectacular even that far away.
When we wanted to see the launch up close we either went to the public beach access in Cocoa Beach, or observed floating on our family’s boat in the river (I can’t remember whether it was the Banana River, or the Indian River - whichever is right there between the cape and the island).
These might no longer be a viable option depending on where the pad used for shuttle launches is located, and whether they still allow boat traffic during launches. However, if so, you might be able to find a charter.
You can request a pass to get access during a launch, but it was not something we ever bothered to do.
Be warned that launches get cancelled on very short notice for things that are not predictable. Many nights we would go out to the parking lot to watch a scheduled launch, and would listen to the countdown on the radio - only to be disappointed when the countdown went into a hold due to some red light or another, and the attempt was eventually scrubbed.
Sometimes the next available launch window is weeks away. I tried to see one from under the bridge closest to the launch site, but alas, the launch was delayed, as was the next one. It eventually launched something like 3 weeks later.
If you can find one with several launch windows in a week, maybe that would work. In any case I suspect more launches are canceled than are actually fired off on the scheduled first attempt.
Note that the last shuttle launch is scheduled for just over a year away, with about five others between now and then, so your opportunity to see one is limited.
Yes, the program is gone after that. The shuttles are getting up in years and are fairly dangerous and due to their high-profile nature it is a risk NASA gets sick of taking. I hate to say it but Russian Soyuz capsules are simply more practical for routine tasks like maintaining the International Space Station at this point.
I saw a shuttle launch from the NASA official viewing area (where you have to request a pass weeks in advance, etc.). It was a night launch.
When we arrived at our designated spot, I looked off in the distance and there, on the horizon, was this little speck of nothing that was the space shuttle. “Aw, shit,” I thought. I feared that I wouldn’t get to see a damn thing with the shuttle so far away.
When the launch did actually happen… DAMN! My fears were totally unfounded. I can honestly say that, for a few seconds at least, it was if the sun had come up all at once. The area around me was illuminated as if it was high noon! And the sound! The earth literally shook.
If you ever get a chance to see a NASA vehicle (space shuttle or otherwise) launch at night, take it! I can honestly say that this was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced.
I live in Central Florida (just north of Orlando) and have been fortunate enough to see many shuttle launches from my back yard or parking lots. You’d be surprised how clearly the shuttle can be seen from here.
Anyway, to answer this question: Also, are there any particular times of the year where the shuttle has a better chance of not being delayed by the weather?
This time of year (summer) is when most launches seem to be delayed by the weather, because we have so many thunderstorms this time of year. I would imagine the best times would be in the Fall (October through December) or the Spring. In the Winter, launches can be delayed because of the cold, especially considering what happened to the Challenger.
