Viewing Sites for Space Shuttle Discovery’s Final Flight

Space Shuttle Discovery is poised to take her final flight later this week. If you are going to be in Florida on launch day, you might want to consider heading over to witness the launch in person. If you aren’t a VIP or purchased (way in advance) a special viewing ticket, you will not be allowed onto the Kennedy Space Center Complex. No worries, there are plenty of viewing areas for the rest of us.

There is nothing quite like a space shuttle launch. People from all walks of life line the banks of the Indian River waiting in anticipation for liftoff. The countdown is at T minus one and then you see the first puffs of white. The engines glow bright orange as the shuttle lifts off from her seaside launch pad. As the shuttle climbs higher and higher you hear the roar of the engines as she thunders off to space. You strain your eyes to see the booster rockets separate and fall back to Earth. All that remains is the trail of smoke in the sky.



Living in Florida most of my life, I have seen my share of launches. Titusville, Florida is my pick for the best viewing. This small city sits on the banks of the Indian River directly across from the space center. You will be able to stand here and see the entire launch. Cocoa Beach is another popular spot, but I feel you just see more when you view a launch in Titusville.

There are plenty of free viewing areas in Titusville. You can stake out a spot anywhere along the Indian River on US 1 and are sure to see quite a show. One area is not necessarily better than the other. The city has created the following parks along US 1 that offer great views.

• Space View Park
• Rotary Riverview Park
• Kennedy Point Park
• William J Manzo Park

Bring your patience for two reasons. One – the launch may be scrubbed due to technical reasons or weather. Two - traffic will be a mess. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on a relatively small town and everyone will be leaving at the same time!!

If you can’t make this launch in person, you will have one more chance. The last scheduled shuttle mission is set to take flight in February 2011.