STS-134 Endeavour

No Earlier than
Monday, May 16th, 2011

Launch Viewing Ticket Information – NASA Causeway Launch Viewing

Thank you for purchasing a Launch Transportation Ticket to view a launch from the NASA Causeway. Witnessing a space shuttle launch is a rare and special event. Please review the following information carefully. Exhibits, shows and special presentations will run throughout the day. If you have additional questions, please call 1(800) 537-0917 toll free in the USA, (0800) 520 0512 toll free from the UK, or (407) 522-5911 our local USA number from the rest of the worldprior to your trip. Please expect heavy call volume on the days immediately surrounding the launch date. Launch date and times, as well as the Visitor Complex and transportation operational schedule, are subject to change.

Important Launch Information

Space Shuttle Launch Tours – Frequently Asked Question’s

From where will I view the launch?

• For guests purchasing the ‘Causeway VIP’ viewing tour, you will be at the NASA Causeway, approximately 6 miles from the launch pad.
• For guests purchasing the Kennedy Space Center Launch Viewing and the Dine with an Astronaut on Launch Day package, you will view the launch from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex approximately 11 miles from launch pad.

What are the Acronyms we often see?

• GLOGT = Gray Line Orlando Gator Tours
• LTT = Launch Transportation Ticket (the bus ride out to the NASA causeway)
• KSCVC = Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

What tickets are included in my package?

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Admission (in all packages)
• Launch Transportation Ticket – LTT (in Causeway VIP Viewing packages only)     
• Dine with an Astronaut Ticket (in Dine with Astronaut on Launch Day packages only)
• Bus Boarding Pass – this is for our bus, you need to give to the tour guide to board – they are pick up location specific!  Be sure to choose your pick up location wisely.

How will I receive my tickets?

Tickets will be mailed to your mailing address you provide upon reservation.  Tickets will need to be signed for therefore please ensure you do not enter a PO Box for shipping.  Tickets will not be mailed to temporary locations such as hotels.

Can I drive to Kennedy Space Center?

Unfortunately the answer is no.  Our tickets are only for guests that ride on our buses.  Our packages include no security placards.  In the case of our buses that go to the NASA causeway they do not return back to the KSCVC afterwards and return directly to their pick up.  Security requirements necessitate that all our guests must ride with us to the space center on one of our vehicles.

Can I have a later pick up time?

Our pick-ups times directly reflect the times we have been given for our bus checking / security times at Kennedy Space Center.  We don’t have a choice with our pick up times.  They cannot be later in the day.

What are the pick-up locations?

Take a look at the below links for the pick-up locations, addresses and times.  There is a link for the Causeway VIP Viewing and a link for the Viewing from the Kennedy Space Center / Dine with the Astronaut Package.  In both causes.

What should I bring with me?

• Plan for a sunny day, so I would recommend you wear layers, and bring sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent.  Then of course you should bring your camera / camera equipment BUT please not no bags that have wheels on them, so if you are an avid photographer and have equipment in a bag – no wheels and no luggage size – so pack light!
• Seating – I would bring it!  There are some seats in the viewing areas however we cannot guarantee them to you.  You can bring the umbrella style foldable chairs that collapsible into shoulder carry bags,  this is the only type of chair acceptable.  If you don’t have a chair perhaps bring a beach towel or blanket to sit on.

What can I NOT bring?

The following items are NOT permitted on complex per the KSC website –

• Fire arms of any type (with or without a permit)
• Ammunition (live or spent)
• Pepper/mace sprays
• Knives of any size
• Box cutters or similar items
• Nail clippers with knife blades
• Any other sharp/pointed items, including pointed scissors or nail files

Additionally:

• Hard-sided coolers, luggage and other large bags are not permitted through the front gate.
• All bags, purses and other items will be opened and inspected at the Visitor Complex. (These  actions are part of the increase in security and not part of a specific threat to our facilities.)
• Laser pointers
• All electronic devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile/cellular phones, video recorders, voice recorders and pagers must be in working condition before entering the complex. Devices that are broken, cannot be powered on, or without properly charged batteries will not be permitted through the front gate.

If any of the above items are discovered, you must surrender them to a security officer. Surrendered items will not be returned to you.

Since all guests pass through the metal detectors, please reduce the number of items you normally carry.

How come there isn’t a pick up at Kmart Titusville?

We believe we found someone better! Our new locations on Merritt Island allow us to leave KSC via route 3 and hopefully will save some traffic time on the bus home.

How come the prices have raised since the last launch?

We have been very consistent with pricing on this tour for the last 3 years even though our costs have increased year on year.  We have been notified by Kennedy Space Center of an increase in admission costs taking place prior to the launch plus the costs of the charters has risen heavily and not to be forgotten the price of fuel.  As a company we could not afford to hold the prices.

I went on a previous launch with you and you gave me the tickets on launch day.  Can I do this again?

We take our guest feedback seriously and from reviewing comment forms / letters / reviews in regards to the last 2 launches the decision has been made to send tickets in advance.  This way you are in control of your tickets.  We won’t have tour guides taking time issuing tickets when the bus arrives to collect you.  Within your ticket package mailed to you there will be a boarding pass you will give to the tour guide as you get on your bus.

The pick-up list has changed.  My favorite pick up is no longer being used. Why is this?

Again, feedback from the last launch, reviewing comment forms / letters / reviews.  We decided to cut the amount of pick-ups.  This way we still have pick-ups in the most central areas, we have pick-ups in Kissimmee East and West, Disney, Lake Buena Vista, International Drive North and South, Universal, Orlando Airport Area and Merritt Island.  So there are still many pickups however we believe this will have the pickups be much more organized and timely.  You MUST select your pick up location when making the reservation.  You bus boarding passes will be issued for that pick up location only.

What if I lose my tickets?

Best way for us to answer this is DON”T LOSE YOUR TICKETS….. basically they are like cash.  We make be able to resell them to you if KSC allows this but this is not guaranteed and you would have to pay for them again.

What if the space shuttle launch date changes?

It is your responsibility to keep a check on the date of the shuttle, the tickets are mission specific and cannot be changed to another mission date.  You can reschedule the transportation with no charge up until the day prior to launch day.  If on the day prior to your organized transportation the launch changes date there is a $35 charge to move your transportation booking; this applies even if it is the day prior and you have not stepped foot on the bus.  Same applies on the day of the launch, if the launch reschedules and you wish to go on the next attempt it is $35 for the transportation on the next attempt.  The reason this policy is in place as the bus companies we charter from charge us for the bus charter the day prior, at which point even if the launch moves we cannot change dates of the buses.  This is a discounted rate we charge for reschedule transportation.

The following items are not permitted on property:

Hard-side coolers (soft-sided coolers are permitted), alcohol of any type, fire arms of any type (with or without a permit), ammunition (live or spent), pepper/mace sprays, knives, box cutters or like items, nail clippers with knife blades, laser pointers, large beach-type umbrellas, on-property cooking or grilling, any other sharp/pointed items (including pointed scissors or nail files) luggage or other large bags are not permitted through the front gate.

All bags, purses and other items will be opened and thoroughly inspected at the Visitor Complex. (Procedures to search all bags carried into the complex by visitors & employees are actions taken as part of the increase in security and not part of a specific threat to our facilities.)

Blankets and collapsible camping/umbrella-style folding chairs that are carried in shoulder bags are permitted.

NASA’s Safety Statement:

It is imperative that you stay within controlled areas with your group and strictly follow all instructions provided by NASA. Although an accident during lift-off of the space shuttle is highly unlikely, some safety precautions are necessary. As is the case with the launch of a space vehicle, a potential danger exists from toxic vapors contained in any cloud formed as a result of a launch mishap. In the event of an accident, all persons at the Kennedy Space Center should take shelter immediately in the nearest air-conditioned building. Those at launch viewing sites not near an air-conditioned facility should take shelter in a bus with the windows closed, the air conditioner off and await further instructions.