Overflow's Great Thread of NASA Knowledge

[Overflow]

The final video of the Tundra Endeavour series by Toyota:

[Lee0123567]

I'll show you 7 million pounds of thrust

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by Lee0123567

I'll show you 7 million pounds of thrust

[atma]

Originally Posted by Overflow

I invite all Space Shuttle fans into this thread. We don't need C5 fest. I can have my own Space Shuttle fest in here.

I actually flew down to the Kennedy Space Center and watched the final launch of the Space Shuttle. The first flight was when I was a young, impressionable boy and I've grown up with it being a part of my life. It was pretty emotional watching that launch. so perhaps I missed it, but are you an actual shuttle astronaut, Overflow?

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by atma

I actually flew down to the Kennedy Space Center and watched the final launch of the Space Shuttle. The first flight was when I was a young, impressionable boy and I've grown up with it being a part of my life. It was pretty emotional watching that launch. so perhaps I missed it, but are you an actual shuttle astronaut, Overflow?

Unfortunately, no, I'm not a Shuttle astronaut. But I've been considering eventually joining the Astronaut corps after the Air Force. I do help document shuttle activities for nasaspaceflight.com, though.

I was on the KSC property the day before STS-135. It was more than cool to be able to see the final time an orbiter, and my favorite Space Shuttle, would be on the launch pad ever again.

How many launches have you attended?

[atma]

unfortunately, that was the only one. it was such an experience, though, that I'm hoping I can attend some rocket launches in the future

[Overflow]

Even if it was your first and only, be greatful. So many people haven't seen them in person. Seeing them on TV is NOTHING compared to seeing it in person. Both day and might launches are amazing to watch.

Unfortunately, SLS launches won't be anything like a Shuttle launch.

[AZCamaroFan]

i didn't see in person

[atma]

Originally Posted by Overflow

Even if it was your first and only, be greatful. So many people haven't seen them in person. Seeing them on TV is NOTHING compared to seeing it in person. Both day and might launches are amazing to watch.

Unfortunately, SLS launches won't be anything like a Shuttle launch.

yeah myself, my girlfriend and her whole family entered the lottery for tickets and we were fortunate enough to be selected to get enough tickets. we flew down, went straight from the airport to the KSC and spent the entire night exploring the site, checking out the museums,having a chance to see an orbiter up close (inside and out) and hoping all night that the clouds would break and we'd be go for launch. we were exhausted but it was so worth it and such a memorable experience.

[CamaroSkooter]

[Dznts]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

[RobertHarriSS]

Hey Overflow,
I really like what you do here and your love for the STS.

I work for a NASA contractor and have done so for over 18 years.
After the Columbia disaster and the resulting investigation, NASA decided to install a UHF radio station as white sands space harbor. I was selected to be the antenna operator for that station. I had the awesome privilege of working over 20 launches and landings. As a part of that team, I gained a new respect for the machine and the people that were responsible for it's operation. I still work for NASA (contractor) but I miss the shuttle missions. I miss talking to the astronauts. I have no idea what our mission is or if we even have one but I digress...
I love what you do keeping the memory of the shuttle alive and being a cheerleader for space exploration.

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by atma

yeah myself, my girlfriend and her whole family entered the lottery for tickets and we were fortunate enough to be selected to get enough tickets. we flew down, went straight from the airport to the KSC and spent the entire night exploring the site, checking out the museums,having a chance to see an orbiter up close (inside and out) and hoping all night that the clouds would break and we'd be go for launch. we were exhausted but it was so worth it and such a memorable experience.

Awesome pictures! It would've been even better if the clouds would've cleared more for STS-135, though.

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

You posted this here too?

Originally Posted by RobertHarriSS

Hey Overflow,
I really like what you do here and your love for the STS.

I work for a NASA contractor and have done so for over 18 years.
After the Columbia disaster and the resulting investigation, NASA decided to install a UHF radio station as white sands space harbor. I was selected to be the antenna operator for that station. I had the awesome privilege of working over 20 launches and landings. As a part of that team, I gained a new respect for the machine and the people that were responsible for it's operation. I still work for NASA (contractor) but I miss the shuttle missions. I miss talking to the astronauts. I have no idea what our mission is or if we even have one but I digress...
I love what you do keeping the memory of the shuttle alive and being a cheerleader for space exploration.

Thank you sir. Fen can back me up that I truely am obsessed with the Space Shuttle.

Wow. That must've been the coolest thing to do. Still to this day I think it's awesome to listen to the launches and landings. It took a talented bunch to keep these birds flying.

I have high hopes and expectations for what SLS will do and discover, but it won't be the same. It's nice to talk to someone who knows how special these orbiters were. I know a lot of people see the Space Shuttle as a waste and failure, but they couldn't be more wrong. The Space Shuttle completed and exceeded what it was built to do. Yeah, it didn't launch as much and for as cheap as we intended, but I honestly think that's just mankind setting their goals to high. The Space Shuttle was a great machine from STS-1 to STS-135.

[atma]

Originally Posted by Overflow

Awesome pictures! It would've been even better if the clouds would've cleared more for STS-135, though.

agreed. the tension all night was palpable because no one was sure if there'd be a launch at all.despite the cloudiness, was still able to watch the first 10 seconds or so of the launch live before having to turn to the monitors. I didn't get any pictures of the actual launch because I was too awestruck to take my eyes away and operate the camera. It was an emotional moment for sure.