By Jason Wollam
Rocket launches are an amazing sight.
Few locales outside Central Florida can boast the ability to just walk outside and watch a space vehicle take off into the stratosphere. If the launch is not scrubbed or canceled, and you are watching from the best location, expect an awe-inspiring sight. shuttle launches occur less then a dozen times a year, so viewing a space launch should be well planned.
The best place to view a launch is, of course, at Kennedy Space Center. Launch tickets can be purchased only online or by phone from Kennedy Space Center's ticket line. Tickets are non-refundable in case of launch cancellation or scrubbing. You will want to save this outing for a launch date that has a lengthy launch window, or time for the launch to take place. Missions to the ISS or International Space Station have a 5- to 10-minute launch window.
Access to the southern reaches of Canaveral National Seashore, which surrounds the launch pads, is limited up to one week prior to any launch.
Pack the car with everything you will need. During a countdown there are lots of scheduled and unscheduled delays called "holds." It helps to include some form of entertainment in your space launch kit to prevent long stretches of boredom.