Canaveral is ace. I didn't like ATLANTIS when I went there. Weren't very nice to us Submariners....felt we were out of place.
Atlantis - shuttle final flight
- Thread starter davek
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Canaveral is ace. I didn't like ATLANTIS when I went there. Weren't very nice to us Submariners....felt we were out of place.
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Astro78
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I had the opportunity to see Atlantis launch in May 2009, the last mission to Hubble. I was at the space center, several miles away from pad 39A, and it was truly the most awesome sight I have ever seen. The solid rocket boosters exhaust was so bright it was shocking. Atlantis sounded like she was literally tearing the sky apart. It was seriously like a ripping sound across the sky. It was over in what seemed like a heartbeat, because I think I forgot to breathe. I was able to share the experience with my family, and my wife's parents. I had the pleasure of seeing Endeavor on 39B and Atlantis on 39A. The Orbit of the hubble was so high, if Atlantis was damaged on liftoff by falling debris or ice(the way Columbia was the led to her break on re-entry) I was also on the Shuttle Support team for the launch of Columbia on her final voyage in 2003) she would not have enough fuel to make it to the ISS. So Endeavor was a life boat, with a minimal crew, ready to launch and rescue the crew of Atlantis if necessary. Firs time two shuttles were both prepped and ready to go for launch. It is a sad/proud day for me as an American and a Space Enthusiast. We made the whole world look up, and be proud of what they saw when our Saturn V rockets took Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins to the moon. We, along with partners across the world put up and maintain the ISS. Now, the United States are no longer in the business of putting man in space. From Alan Shepard's historic flight on Freedom Seven on the Mercury Programs first flight on 5 May 1961 to when Atlantis touches down on 20 July 2011, it will represent 18,338 days or 50 years, 2 months and 15 days that America has been in the business of putting men in space. Sad to see it come to an end. I always wanted to be an astronaut (hence the username) and was actually close to being able to submit my application to the Astronaut Program to be considered as a Mission Specialist. Now that dream is over. Not just for me who had worked a long time at it, but for kids like my six year old boy who wants to be one as well. Let's hope this is just a break in action, not a complete surrender. Good luck, and God Speed Atlantis.
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davek
Player Valuation: £150m
I had the opportunity to see Atlantis launch in May 2009, the last mission to Hubble. I was at the space center, several miles away from pad 39A, and it was truly the most awesome sight I have ever seen. The solid rocket boosters exhaust was so bright it was shocking. Atlantis sounded like she was literally tearing the sky apart. It was seriously like a ripping sound across the sky. It was over in what seemed like a heartbeat, because I think I forgot to breathe. I was able to share the experience with my family, and my wife's parents. I had the pleasure of seeing Endeavor on 39B and Atlantis on 39A. The Orbit of the hubble was so high, if Atlantis was damaged on liftoff by falling debris or ice(the way Columbia was the led to her break on re-entry) I was also on the Shuttle Support team for the launch of Columbia on her final voyage in 2003) she would not have enough fuel to make it to the ISS. So Endeavor was a life boat, with a minimal crew, ready to launch and rescue the crew of Atlantis if necessary. Firs time two shuttles were both prepped and ready to go for launch. It is a sad/proud day for me as an American and a Space Enthusiast. We made the whole world look up, and be proud of what they saw when our Saturn V rockets took Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins to the moon. We, along with partners across the world put up and maintain the ISS. Now, the United States are no longer in the business of putting man in space. From Alan Shepard's historic flight on Freedom Seven on the Mercury Programs first flight on 5 May 1961 to when Atlantis touches down on 20 July 2011, it will represent 18,338 days or 50 years, 2 months and 15 days that America has been in the business of putting men in space. Sad to see it come to an end. I always wanted to be an astronaut (hence the username) and was actually close to being able to submit my application to the Astronaut Program to be considered as a Mission Specialist. Now that dream is over. Not just for me who had worked a long time at it, but for kids like my six year old boy who wants to be one as well. Let's hope this is just a break in action, not a complete surrender. Good luck, and God Speed Atlantis.
Nice post mate.
Lift off sounds amazing the way you describe it. Is there much vibration from that distance? I can imagine the fillings in your head shaking!
You're quite right to be proud of the space missions too. The greatest achievements in human history - us glorified monkeys leaving our world behind and breaking out into space. All the astronauts of all countries have been heroes. They must have nerves of steel.
I saw Columbia's last ever take off. We were transiting on the surface about 30 miles off of the coast of Port Canaveral. It was at night and I was on watch (Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW)) in control. We knew the launch was happening, and as I was one of the senior watchstanders in control, I was on #2 scope and watched it launch. Lit the night sky up, was truly an awesome sight to behold. The last time she ever went up.
As we all know what happened when she made the return journey. This time (IIRC) it was a Saturday morning, and we were in Port Canaveral for our exercise fit-out...sitting eating our breakfast watching the news as it all developed.
The mood all around the town was somber. I will never forget it, it was like the town itself lost it's figurehead.
As we all know what happened when she made the return journey. This time (IIRC) it was a Saturday morning, and we were in Port Canaveral for our exercise fit-out...sitting eating our breakfast watching the news as it all developed.
The mood all around the town was somber. I will never forget it, it was like the town itself lost it's figurehead.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Tragic that was. It must have been horrific.
Challenger was the one that sticks in my mind most. Truly awful. Everytime I see that footage of McAuliffe's parents I have to turn away. Heartbreaking.
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Astro78
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Thanks Davek. Yes, you can feel a vibration at that range. Slight, but you can feel it. I will try to post the video sometime in the next week or so.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Nice one.
A
Astro78
Guest
I was on the Shuttle Launch Abort Recovery team in Moron, Spain for the launch. I was part of the C-130 Hercules crew that had para-rescue men and their boat loaded and rigged for airdrop. In case of an orbiter abort on launch, the orbiter would come down somewhere near the coast of Spain. We sat with engines running listening to the direct line from NASA during the launch. If the worst would have happened, we would have taken off, and dropped the boat and the PJ's out over the ditching site, and flown top cover over the rescue. A week and a half later, I was in Ibiza, Spain after a divert for poor weather over Crete. I went into my hotel room, cut on the tv and saw the news of Columbia and her brave crew's demise. I have the mission patch and a coin that is given as a thank you to the aircrews that support the launches from that mission. Was in 2nd grade when Challenger exploded. Remember it like it was yesterday. School was closed that day due to the cold. Can't believe it was 25 years ago.
D
Deleted member 28206
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Awesome astro. I wish I was you. You ooze super awesomeness
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
That avatar has won me many friends on here.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Sickening isn't it?
Our equivalent is standing close to the edge of the platform on the Northern Line.
Awesome dude.
A
Astro78
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Thanks, I think. (Can't be sure if you're pulling my leg or not...) I am just very fortunate that my job can be awesome at times. 18 hr work days and months on end in Afghanistan are some of the draw backs. In the end I love it.
D
Deleted member 28206
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I meant it with the upmost sincerity. You've got some incredible experiences. I feel like I'm stood next to the star pupil I'm awe.
A
Astro78
Guest
Nah. Just doing my job. Dude, who are you kidding, you are the star pupil, not me! I can't even get a Trump card made after me. Yours by the way was bad ass.
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