Try a visit to Baikanor “Star City” in the former Soviet Union, nowhere else can you get so close to a rocket launch: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84XhArK-6q0&mode=related&search=
That aint thrilling enough? try to be there when things dont go according to the program: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl9u-h_btBo&mode=related&search=
I’ve witnessed a number of shuttle launches…day time, night time and from an aircraft, but the one that is burned in my memory forever is witnessing Challenger blow up…live.
Warren Mumpower said:I can't imagine how horrible that must have been.
I've witnessed a number of shuttle launches..day time, night time and from an aircraft, but the one that is burned in my memory forever is witnessing Challenger blow up....live.
I was on the Indian River for one of the first test flights of Columbia in Nov. 81. My son Aaron was 5 then and made the local TV news with his play version of the shuttle, a broken piece of concrete block that we still have today. It was an awesome experience. I’ve always wanted to try for the VIP tickets, but never have.
When Columbia was lost on re-entry it was very personal for me.
JR
Sorry for you guys, thats rough. When dealing with dangerous occupations I always remember the quote from of all things the cartoon “Super Chicken”
“You knew the job was dangerous when you took it”
Truer words were never spoken for our astronauts, people today think this stuff is “routine” it never is…
PS I posted the wrong video in the initiall post! I posted the official camera tracking, I wanted to post a home video I found, which I now have done so…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84XhArK-6q0&mode=related&search=
PSPS the vid comments says its 2000 meters away, but looking at the distance between the viewing location and the height of the rocket, its 2000 FEET!
DAM THATS CLOSE!!!
Yeah, I’d stand there…
Give me any opportunity, I’d be in that capsule!!!