LIFTOFF!!!!!!

The Morning Zoo

Just some images from around the Press Site.

How DO they get those photos??

If you've seen those incredible up-close photos of a shuttle launch you might have wondered "How did they get those images without being roasted alive?"The secret is the cameras are set up the day before the launch, and set off by "sound triggers". When these triggers detect a noise level of a certain decibel they set off the camera, resulting in those great images.

When I arrived this morning a gent asked if I could help him set up, and I said Sure. What else was I going to do at 0600?? Bummer part was that the RSS was still around the orbiter, and we got chased out before retraction.

Remote cameras have to withstand wind, rain, harsh sun, plus toxic SRB exhaust. People come up with a variety of solutions.

After that it was time for RSS rollback. In daylight this time.

Everyone wanted the shots above and below. 

Later one the remote cameras needed adjustment again. Darn...

The gent driving our van kindly agreed to take the long way home, all the way around the launch complex.

If something goes REALLY bad  the astronauts would evacuate the orbiter and ride slide baskets down these wires to this bunker, or a waiting armored car.

A rare backside view of the stack. 

Time for some shuteye, then back at it around 0300 for launch at 0856 eastern time. See you then.

Here's your sign...

There's a new sign at the VAB:

Let's hope it works Monday.

To sleep, perchance to dream....

From NASA: "Discovery is no longer considered in active shuttle service. Its designation changed from flight vehicle to "transition & retirement" May 10".

Let's do it again...

Looks like the stars are aligning for a Monday launch. Current plan: travel Saturday, attend RSS rollback Sunday morning, sleep overnight in car at Media Center and try not to get eaten alive by the skeeters Sunday night, launch Monday, attend Atlantis transfer from OPF-VAB Tuesday, recurrent landing Sim Wednesday.

Lot has to go right for this to happen.GO ENDEAVOUR!!!!

If it ain't fixed, don't fly it.

Another old aviation cliche: if it ain't broke don't fix it, and if it ain't fixed don't fly it. As disappointed as I am that the launch is delayed, NASA is doing the right thing. And I'm luckier than a lot of people who have to pay for their tickets to come down here. So since I was out here already I picked up a trip instead of going home, and that will make up for the time I took off to come down here. Hopefully when I come back I'll be able to return in time for another launch attempt.


In the meantime, here's a shoutout to the great people at NASAspaceflight.com  If you're into spaceflight at all you should be on here, and if you're REALLY into spaceflight pay for the membership to the L2 section. (Because of them I knew Monday's launch was a no-go long before the press conference.) hell, even if you're not REALLY into spaceflight buy a L2 membership. They're cheap and the website is run by good people.