Launch Viewing Ticket Information – NASA Causeway Launch Viewing
Witnessing a space shuttle launch is a rare and special event. Please review the following information carefully. If you have additional questions, please call (866) 737-5235 prior to your trip. Please expect heavy call volume on the days immediately surrounding the launch date. Launch dates and times, as well as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex operational schedules, are subject to change.
Important Launch Viewing Information
The NASA Causeway Launch Viewing ticket package includes a Launch Transportation Ticket with bus transportation to view the launch from the NASA Causeway and an admission ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex exhibits, shows and special presentations will run throughout the day.
1. VEHICLE PLACARD - On launch day, Kennedy Space Center is a restricted area and will be open only to launch viewing ticket holders and those who have received an official launch vehicle placard. Vehicles must display this placard in the driver’s side front windshield in order to gain access to Kennedy Space Center on launch day. It is valid for all passengers in the vehicle.
2. ARRIVAL TIME: YOU MUST ARRIVE BY YOUR SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME
The arrival time listed on your vehicle placard is the time you should arrive to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on launch day. If you arrive after this time, entrance through the security gate may not be guaranteed.
NOTE: These arrival times are only valid for the original launch attempt date. If the launch attempt changes, the arrival time will change. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle for operating hours and arrival times or call (866) 737-5235. The security gates to Kennedy Space Center close to ALL incoming traffic (with or without placards) approximately 2 hours before launch and will reopen approximately 1 hour following launch.
3. NASA CAUSEWAY BUS BOARDING - To get to the NASA Causeway launch viewing site, you will need to follow the directional signs to Bus Boarding. Buses will board between 2 and 3 hours prior to the launch time. These times are firm. We cannot guarantee you will be transported to the NASA Causeway if you do not arrive at bus boarding between this time.
4. NASA CAUSEWAY VIEWING AREA - The viewing area along the NASA causeway is the closest public viewing site available. This viewing area is an open field with standing room only and is approximately six miles from the space shuttle launch pads located directly on the banks of the Banana River. This is an outdoor viewing site with no seating or covered viewing. You are free to bring blankets and collapsible camping/umbrella-style folding chairs that can be carried in shoulder bags, but flat folding chairs, lawn chairs and large beach umbrellas are not permitted. Regular hand-held umbrellas and umbrella-style strollers are permitted. We recommend you bring insect repellant and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera; a shuttle launch is the ultimate photo opportunity. Some people bring binoculars, telescopes and tripods, cameras and long-range lenses. Because sound travels slower than light, you will see the shuttle launch before you hear it, so watch!
The following amenities are provided at the NASA Causeway for your convenience:
• Launch countdown commentary on a public address system
• Limited food and souvenirs available for purchase
• Portable restroom facilities
5. ACTIVITIES AT THE VISITOR COMPLEX - Please pick up a Daily Schedule from Information Central once you arrive at the Visitor Complex for a complete list of times and activities. While most Visitor Complex exhibits and shows will be open on launch day, the KSC Bus Tour may be in limited operation. We recommend you plan on taking the tour offerings on the days before or after the launch attempt. The Visitor Complex retail and food locations will also be open.
6. FOLLOW THE LAUNCH: IT IS THE VISITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE DATE AND TIME OF THE SHUTTLE LAUNCH – Please check KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle (the Visitor Complex website) or nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html (NASA’s official launch schedule) for any mission updates prior to leaving for the Visitor Complex.
Follow Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Faceboook or Twitter to receive launch updates: Facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex or Twitter.com/ExploreSpaceKSC.
Keep your tickets and vehicle placard – In the event of a date change, these items will be required to access the Visitor Complex on subsequent launch attempt days. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle or call (866) 737-5235 for Visitor Complex operating hours and arrival times.
7. DATE CHANGES DUE TO POSTPONMENT: PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL LAUNCH TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. The tickets you have purchased to see the launch are mission specific (example: STS-134), not a particular date.
Launching humans into space is still a very complex business, and the safety of the crew is NASA’s number one priority. Hundreds of different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change many times. Launch times and date, and operational hours are subject to change.
A. NASA Causeway Launch Transportation Tickets - Launch Postponement –
Your Launch Transportation Ticket is labeled “VC LTT STS-134 ADULT (or CHILD).” This ticket provides transportation to the NASA Causeway launch viewing site. This ticket will be collected from you when you board the bus to the launch viewing site. If launch is postponed two scenarios are possible: 1) If you board a bus to the NASA Causeway and launch is postponed, all elements of this ticket are considered used in full. While you will no longer be able to access the NASA Causeway, you will be invited to return for the next launch attempt with your Visitor Complex admission ticket. Return viewing will be from the main Visitor Complex grounds. Please keep your vehicle placard to return for the next attempt. 2) If launch is postponed before you board a bus, your Launch Transportation Ticket will be valid for the next launch attempt to view the launch from the NASA Causeway.
B. Visitor Complex Admission Tickets - Launch Postponement - If you return for a subsequent launch attempt, this ticket will continue to allow entry into the Visitor Complex.
C. Dine With an Astronaut Ticket: Launch Postponement – The Dine With an Astronaut event will generally still take place as scheduled. However, the Visitor Complex does reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a Dine With an Astronaut program if the launch date changes. In the event of a postponement, please verify Dine With an Astronaut date and times with Guest Relations if you are at the Visitor Complex, or you may contact the Reservations Department at (866) 737-5235 for updates and information. Dine With an Astronaut tickets are non-refundable.
8. DRIVING DIRECTIONS/TRAVEL - Access to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is permitted via State Road 405 in Titusville or State Road 3 in Merritt Island. Once you arrive to the Visitor Complex, park in guest parking, proceed to the Ticket Plaza and bypass the ticket booths since you already hold tickets. Please refer to the parking placard in your packet for a map. Expect heavy traffic on launch day. Plan extra travel time before and after your visit. The Visitor Complex will generally have post-launch activities for guests who want to remain on property.
9. SECURITY/SAFETY - The Visitor Complex has magnetometers similar to an airport. Please be prepared to have your personal items inspected. Security will be checking every person via metal detectors and opening every bag, so please expect delays. Please carefully review the security policy:
The following items are not permitted on property:
Hard-side coolers (soft-sided coolers are permitted), luggage or other large bags, fire arms of any type (with or without a permit), ammunition (live or spent), pepper/mace sprays, knives, box cutters or like items, daggers and similar edged weapons. laser pointers, large beach-type umbrellas, on-property cooking or grilling items, any other sharp/pointed items (including pointed scissors) are not permitted.
Blankets and collapsible camping/umbrella-style folding chairs that are carried in shoulder bags are permitted.
NASA’s Safety Statement:
Please be advised that hazards are inherent in launching and launch viewing of a space shuttle mission. By accepting the invitation to view the launch or landing you do so with the understanding of the potential risk. Although NASA applies stringent range safety principles and techniques to protect the general public, workforce and property for all areas of the Kennedy Space Center during launch, in the event of an inadvertent circumstance, hazards including debris, blast and toxics could occur.
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.
Please call us if there is an error in your ticket package at (866) 737-5235. We will correct the situation immediately.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support of NASA and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We sincerely hope you enjoy your day.