Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 03-19-2009 08:42 PM
Watching the first spacewalk today live on NASA TV was too spectacular for words! These two astronauts made it look so easy! I could not help but think of Ed White on that first space walk... it was just so much work for him to move around, and look, now, today, what "they" have accomplished "up there"! Absolutely incredible !
Godspeed Discovery and the International Space Station!
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-19-2009 08:43 PM
If we could direct this kind of creativity to our economic problems we'd get through these tough times in no time! Great video Robert; I shed a few tears for the bat!
Mr Meek Member
Posts: 353 From: Chattanooga, TN Registered: Dec 2007
posted 03-19-2009 10:48 PM
That is unbelievably funny, primarily because of the choice of music. I think the unintentionally cheeseball Star Trek: Enterprise version of that song really underscores the complete ridiculousness of the whole batstronaut saga.
Sometimes, you just have to love the internet.
contra Member
Posts: 318 From: Kiel, Germany Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-20-2009 05:15 AM
Is this Mike Collins? Saw him at the press badge office for the first launch attempt.
I just had a few seconds because I was in the press bus and it left shortly after I saw him.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-20-2009 06:48 AM
Yes, Collins was listed among the VIPs attending the launch for the first attempt (his name had been removed from the list on what became the actual launch day).
Mr Meek Member
Posts: 353 From: Chattanooga, TN Registered: Dec 2007
posted 03-20-2009 08:09 AM
For those that wish to show others how they're honoring the memory of the batstronaut, there are commemorative t-shirts available.
spaceychick Member
Posts: 35 From: Lockport, IL USA Registered: Sep 2008
posted 03-20-2009 08:14 AM
I teach high school Earth Science and am getting ready to teach my "Space Exploration Unit" -- how nice of NASA to schedule a mission during my unit!! My students amd I have been watching NASA TV on the net and were able to see the start of yesterday's spacewalk. In addition, the ISS can be seen in the night sky over Illinois all this week -- how cool! My students have been really excited about Discovery and the ISS because watching the events LIVE makes it all feel real and like they are a part of what is happening. I might not have any future astronauts in my classes, but I hope I will at least inspire future "space enthusiasts."
------------------ Lisa "Click the Chick" www.spaceychick.com
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 03-20-2009 09:23 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Yes, Collins was listed among the VIPs attending the launch for the first attempt
Was this Collins' first trip back to KSC in what seems like forever or has he been flying under the radar?
Maybe his Spacefest adventure stirred up some old memories?
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 03-21-2009 04:33 AM
So, when is somebody going to do a Youtube video involving Space Bat to the tune of Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell"?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-21-2009 08:50 AM
The 10 crew members aboard space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station will hold a news conference at 12:08 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, March 24.
Do you have a question for the crew? Please share your ideas about what I should ask. Please keep the questions mission specific, but sorry, please no questions about the bat...
JPSastro Member
Posts: 170 From: Tucson, Arizona Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-21-2009 06:54 PM
Please checkout the photos and video shot by amateur astronomers of the completion of the solar arrays. Very interesting.
gliderpilotuk Member
Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-22-2009 03:54 AM
Wow, some amazingly crisp photos. The ISS passed directly over Central London last night and was extremely bright (-2.4 I think). Wish I could have seen such detail.
Paul
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-22-2009 07:06 PM
I have been experimenting with video this mission, with plans of adding multimedia to our coverage of STS-125 and later flights.
As an example, here are two videos from launch day: first the crew's walkout from the Operations and Checkout (O&C) building, and then the launch from the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building.
As you can hear in the launch video, it was very windy atop the VAB, but the roar of the shuttle itself briefly drowns out the wind.
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 03-25-2009 08:34 PM
Robert,
What a wonderful view from atop the VAB! How many times have you been up there now? Are there usually many others there with you?
Because the video is stationary I'm guessing you were busy taking some still photos too? The launch video is smooth but the crew video looks like a series of photos strung together, but with smooth audio. Perhaps a buffering problem on my end? Anyone else have the same view? And what's going on with the audio? Sounds like a chant of some kind and near your mike.
Here's something else I learned on launch day...
I guess because of the multiple changes in Discovery's launch date many of those who previously bought LTTs couldn't make it so KSCVC released more LTTs that afternoon at the ticket plaza.
While waiting on the bus to return to the VC after watching the launch from the causeway I spoke with a family who only went to KSC that day as a break from Orlando. They were surprised to learn there would be a shuttle launch that evening and were looking forward to just seeing the shuttle at all from the VC.
It's lucky the kids wanted a blanket to lay on while waiting because when their dad returned from their car and into the ticket plaza he learned of the LTT sales from someone standing in line. He phoned his wife explaining where he was and "about an hour and a half" later they all four had tickets for the causeway!
I'm assuming this only happens when a mission's launch date has been changed a few times or to a much later date. Since tickets for STS-125 went on sale back in September of last year this may happen again...
jasonelam Member
Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
posted 03-26-2009 09:25 AM
Does anyone know what the record for most number of people in space at the same time is? I thought it was 13 and given that Expedition 19 launched today, 18 is on orbit and Discovery is heading home, that would tie the record.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-26-2009 09:34 AM
The record stands at 13, first set on March 14, 1995 by the seven-person STS-67, three-person Soyuz TM-21 and the three member crew living on Mir.
music_space Member
Posts: 1179 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001
posted 03-26-2009 04:52 PM
The flyaround is *amazing* !!!
gliderpilotuk Member
Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-26-2009 05:31 PM
Dragged my son into the garden at 20:00 tonight to see Discovery pass over London closely followed by the ISS. I think it's the first time I've seen the two flying over separately and it was impressive. Alex is taking tomorrow night's flyby schedule into school to try and enthuse some of the other kids.
Paul
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 03-28-2009 03:04 PM
When coming in for a landing on the northern end of Landing Facility 15 and the orbiter's approach is out of the south, like today's, do the commanders use a specific pattern that is always used to position the orbiter for a Runway 15 landing? The opposite, of course, would be an approach out of the north for a Runway 33 landing.
Imagine going to a mall. You can get to the immediate area from many directions, but there is only one off-ramp that will actually get you to the mall itself.
Do the commanders always use a definite 'off-ramp' in the sky above KSC no matter from where they approach or does this procedure change with each landing?
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 03-29-2009 04:57 AM
To my knowledge, the approaches used by shuttles are pretty specific to account for a lot of factors from traffic pattern and wind direction to energy management. The energy management of an approaching shuttle is critical because they don't want to be going too fast (too much energy) or too slow (too little energy) on final, or else they will either land short or be way too hot over the runway and overrun the far end. And of course with a shuttle, you can't go around if the approach doesn't look right.
The main thing the flight crew are aiming for and focusing on with the approach are one of the heading alignment cones, placed at each end of the runway (HACs, hence the term when you hear it "On the HAC at 180"). The HAC is an invisible navigation aid cone that radiates out as it goes up and the orbiter on approach aligns itself to turn around the cone, sort of using it like a race car uses the apex of a turn. But the HAC tightens as it gets closer to the ground and this is necessary as a shuttle is dropping out of the sky at about 200 feet per second. At the end of the turn around the HAC, the orbiter should then be on final approach with the runway in sight at the 12 o'clock position.
Using the HAC is nice as it helps minimize the chance for the orbiter to turn too shallow or too sharp and not be aligned properly with the runway on the turn to final. This is quite a bit different from how it is done with a normal aircraft on approach.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 03-29-2009 07:45 AM
My grandson Tyler, son-in-law Jason and I were guests of John Phillips at the landing - (the ladies both had to work).
We arrived at the Visitor Complex early enough to let Tyler wander around and have lunch.
We ran into Chris Ferguson who was there as an escort/guide for the family guests. He gave my grandson a STS-126 patch.
Tyler's favorite part was seeing the shuttle Explorer and the T-38. I even took him into the Shuttle Launch Experience viewing area (since he's only 19 months old). I made sure to pose with him in front of the Orion CM mockup (since he'll be piloting it someday).
My favorite part - sharing everything with him - "priceless".
I'd like to share the photos with you all but his parents don't want his image all over the internet. I understand and respect their wishes, so here are three photos from the landing.
Tim
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 03-29-2009 10:55 AM
Jay, thanks for the info. I want to see a few landings before it's all over. I've tried only twice before and was unsuccessful both times. Due to wind and weather it seems that one has a far better chance of seeing a launch than a landing approach!
I learned from KSC personnel that the ideal view is to be in the KSC parking lot away from trees and buildings while watching the orbiter come in directly from the south for a Runway 33 landing, preferably after noon and before sunset. This position would have your back to the Sun and the orbiter lit as best it can.
As most know, this scenario can change relatively quickly and even though one may be on site at the best vantage point there is still a very good chance of only hearing the sonic booms.
Tim, Al, Ken and all of you other Floridian cSers, do you agree that the parking lot view is the best? What would be the best plan if the approach was changed to a Runway 15 landing? Your input would be quite helpful!
Thanks! Rob
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-29-2009 11:16 AM
quote:Originally posted by Rob Joyner: How many times have you been up there now? Are there usually many others there with you?
This was only my second time atop the VAB (the first was during STS-120).
Based on my limited experience, there are 10 to 15 people at most. Here is a photo (courtesy of Stephen Clark at Spaceflight Now) of this launch.
quote:Because the video is stationary I'm guessing you were busy taking some still photos too?
Yes, I left the video camera running while I was taking stills.
quote:Perhaps a buffering problem on my end? Anyone else have the same view? And what's going on with the audio? Sounds like a chant of some kind and near your mike.
The walkout video plays smoothly here, so it may be (have been) a buffering problem. There were people taking flash photography, which explains the brief blinks of white.
As for the chants, that can be credited to an enthusiastic Japanese photographer who was yelling for Koichi Wakata to turn toward his camera.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-29-2009 11:30 AM
quote:Originally posted by KSCartist: I understand and respect their wishes, so here are three photos from the landing.
Thanks for sharing those, Tim. Those are the first spectator photos I have seen since they moved the VIP viewing area.
Speaking of landing photos, be sure to check out these - 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - and take note of the credit line...
robsouth Member
Posts: 769 From: West Midlands, UK Registered: Jun 2005
posted 03-29-2009 04:28 PM
Welcome home Discovery following a highly successful mission.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-29-2009 09:33 PM
contra Member
Posts: 318 From: Kiel, Germany Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-19-2009 08:42 PM
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