Space Shuttle Launch Web Resources
Space Shuttle Patch
Just a few quick links I've found useful when trying to figure out details about attending a Space Shuttle launch. Of course, if you can't attend, there is always NASA TV streaming on the web.
NASA Launch Blog - Note: it would be nice if this page auto-updated, but it doesn't appear to.
STS-128 Launch blog RSS feed - NOTE: The original link was `https://www.nasa.gov/rss/128launch_update.xml`, but it disappeared after the launch. New ones were produces for each launch but also disappeared which sucks. - Kennedy Space Center launch viewing ticket info
Article from phototrek.org about launch photography - lots of really good stuff in here.
Launch info dump from sworld.com.au - Tons of stuff here. To the point of information overload, but it's worth digging through for specifics.
Wiki article on STS-128 - There's one for every mission.
Awesome looking graphical representation of the launch before it happens - Shows maps of where/when you can see the shuttle from different states. I'm glad there are people out there that can and do make this kind of thing.
Communication frequency list (this link no longer works)
Another frequency list with some additional stuff on it (another dead link) - This one lines up more with what I've seen in some other places.
List of retransmissions in other locations - if you want to tune in from elsewhere.
My question to Ask MetaFilter about scanners - got confirmation that the ones RadioShack sells are speced to pick up the retransmissions.
These are the frequencies I've seen listed for tuning into the shuttle communications prior to launch via HAM repeaters. These are all pulled from the links above, but they are spread out. Just listing them here to make them easier to find.
146.880 MHz (FM) - KA9SZX retransmission
146.940 MHz (FM) - K4GCC retransmission
145.170 MHz (FM) - WA4VME retransmission
296.800 MHz (AM) - Air-to-ground & Orbiter to EVA-Suit
279.000 MHz (AM) - EVA-Suit-to-EVA-Suit & Orbiter to EVA-Suit
243.000 MHz (AM) - Standard UHF Mil emergency Freq.
442.6 MHz (UHF) - NASA audio
AM 1240 and AM 1350 - Local station WMMB. These weren't broadcasting the launch when I was there, but they are still listed by NASA.
There aren't that many Shuttle missions left after this one. Here's the list as it stands right now.
The last one, STS-134 isn't certain yet. It has to get budget approval. As it stands right now, either that one or 133, is going to be the last launch of the Space Shuttle program.