Recommendations for the Best View of the Final Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis

If you are planning to attend the final launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8th officials are recommending you follow their recommended routes, maps and viewing area's.

The shuttle is planning to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:26:46AM EDT Friday morning, weather permitting. If you plan to attend the first attempt at a ;launch of Atlantis officials are recommending you get there as early as possible. Brevard County officials are estimating close to 1 million people in the area of Space View Park and Jetty Park in Titusville, Florida.

For a list of the best directions to the viewing area click here.

If the shuttle is not able to launch on July 8th the next time a window will be open is July 9th at 11:04AM and July 10th at 10:38AM. If the weather prevents a launch on any of those days there will be windows for the rest of July. If the shuttle does not lift off in July the next window will be in mid August. For a list of other dates and times for launch click here.

If you plan to attend the final launch officials are recommending you get to a viewing point in the Titusville and Cape Canaveral area's 9 to 12 hours before the launch. They are also advising a 4 to 6 hour time frame to get out of the area after the launch due to traffic. If you plan to make a day of it after the launch Florida Today has a listing of recommended tourist spots here.

Officials are also recommending not trying to leave the area after the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, or STS-135 mission, using State Road A1A, AKA Astronaut Blvd. but instead using a side road out of town available through Google Maps from Jetty Park and Space View Park.

But, if you plan to stay home and watch the launch from your front yard, or on the internet if you aren't in the area, you can watch local news stations or click here to watch the launch live in HD from the NASA Network website or NASA TV in the Central Florida area on Brighthouse.

If you plan to attend the launch remember to enjoy it and take lots of pictures!