posted 07-07-2009 03:36 PM
Tim... what a nice idea. Must be pretty special watching the launch in which the crew is wearing your design.
By the way, is this Jorge's first launch in person?
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 07-08-2009 03:50 PM
Just a reminder for those with original STS-127 car placards. Simply change the 'am' to 'pm'. This is your new arrival time (ex. If the original time on your placard is 1:30am, your new arrival time is 1:30pm).
Be sure to check the weather often. There's been a lot of scattered rain and storms throughout the southeast the past few days and as of right now, Wednesday afternoon, there's only a 40% chance of good launch weather predicted for Saturday.
butch wilks Member
Posts: 333 From: Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK Registered: Mar 2007
posted 07-13-2009 02:39 PM
Looking at a webcast of the crew van going to the pad, can someone give me an idea what the large bit of equipment/machinery in the middle of the grass of the crawler-way half up the ramp to the pad is? As it looks to be too big for the crawler to go over, so it must be move from time to time.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 07-13-2009 02:49 PM
Jorge, his family and my wife and I enjoyed the weekend very much. We got together for dinner on Saturday even though the launch attempt was scrubbed that morning. It was a wonderful experience.
On Sunday we along with our wives went to the Banana Creek viewing site thanks to the efforts of a couple of our friends in Houston. While the launch would have been the perfect exclamation point to the weekend, mother nature decided to send a thunderstorm to KSC as well. But that's summertime in Florida.
While at KSC we met John Fabian (STS-7 and STS-51G) as well as Rex Walheim (STS-110 and STS-122). They were both kind enough to pose for photos. We'll post those later.
This Thursday we'll all have a special tour of KSC and get together for one last dinner before the Cartes Family returns to Espana.
Oh and yes, this would have been Jorge's first shuttle launch.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 07-13-2009 07:28 PM
Did any one check to see if Steve Hawley is at KSC? Kinda reminds me of back in 1984 and 1986.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-15-2009 02:40 PM
Reports from the Cape suggest that there were so few spectators for today's launch attempt, that NASA closed the causeway and upgraded all visitors to the Banana Creek VIP site.
If the weather cooperates and STS-127 lifts off this evening, this might set a record for the fewest people attending a manned launch at Kennedy Space Center...
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 07-15-2009 02:58 PM
Yeah, but what a deal for the ones attending!
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-15-2009 05:13 PM
I see some white chips on the bottom of the orbiter from the external tank feed after a bit of debris went sailing by the camera right after SRB sep. Not much, but something.
James Brown Member
Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
posted 07-15-2009 05:15 PM
I noticed that too. Seems like there was more than the usual amount of debris.
Max Q looked awesome. Hope there are some good photos of that.
MrSpace86 Member
Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
posted 07-15-2009 05:20 PM
A little before separation of the ET, there was also a quite large amount of debris shed. After SRB sep, there were two chunks that were shed as well. It did not seem like any of it touched the orbiter though. Watching replays of the launch on NASA TV right now to get a better look.
historyinminiature New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 07-15-2009 05:26 PM
Loved that view...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-15-2009 05:35 PM
Spaceflight Now reports about the debris event:
A cloud of small debris pieces can be seen hitting the underside heat shield tiles at T+plus 1 minute, 46 seconds.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 07-15-2009 05:41 PM
NASA TV's online internet feed was absolutely horrendous today. The broadcast was about 50 seconds behind the live events, which is completely unacceptable.
AstroAutos Member
Posts: 803 From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland Registered: Mar 2009
posted 07-15-2009 05:52 PM
I also noticed the debris - hopefully it's nothing major.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-15-2009 06:24 PM
quote:Originally posted by Greggy_D: NASA TV's online internet feed was absolutely horrendous today. The broadcast was about 50 seconds behind the live events, which is completely unacceptable.
They can't really control that. It probably goes out from NASA at the same rate as it always has. The delay would be due to web traffic enroute to your location and web usage in your local area. Given that it is late evening on a business day, the web would be VERY busy at that time of day.
martinbiddulph Member
Posts: 56 From: uk Registered: Nov 2007
posted 07-15-2009 06:35 PM
First, I would like to congratulate STS-127 on a perfect launch and a successful flight.
I watched the launch in the internet then went outside at 2325 UK time and saw the shuttle go over followed, I think, by the external tank. Would that be possible can anyone say? I saw the ISS prior to that at 2205, and then again after at 2340. Brilliant!
irish guy Member
Posts: 287 From: Kerry Ireland Registered: Dec 2001
posted 07-15-2009 06:40 PM
It was a great night to be in Ireland to watch the launch, 18 minutes after liftoff, Endeavour and the tank blazed across the Irish skies.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 07-15-2009 06:40 PM
The ET camera is my favorite one to watch. Love the roll to heads up. It seemed like they started the roll after liftoff later than normal but it could have just been the camera they were using.
AstroAutos Member
Posts: 803 From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland Registered: Mar 2009
posted 07-15-2009 06:58 PM
quote:Originally posted by irish guy: It was a great night to be in Ireland to watch the launch, 18 minutes after liftoff, Endeavour and the tank blazed across the Irish skies.
Lucky you Eamonn! You must have had a clear night down in Kerry-however up here in Monaghan it was very cloudy. Dad and I went to the top of a hill anyway just in case, but we saw nothing!
Oh well, there are plenty of ISS and shuttle viewings over the Irish skies in the next few weeks!
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-15-2009 07:10 PM
Actually the tank might have gone sailing by first before the orbiter. It is in a slightly lower orbit as it heads on a path to eventual reentry while the shuttle continues in its orbit. Admittedly though it has been awhile since I've looked at orbit tracks like that though.
For the last ISS launch which happened at around dusk, I was lucky to see the orbiter pass over my location in Omaha one orbit later. That was nice to see.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 07-15-2009 07:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by Jay Chladek: The delay would be due to web traffic enroute to your location and web usage in your local area.
Not the case. All other websites were responding within a second as well as other simulcasts from different networks.
Tom Member
Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 07-15-2009 07:42 PM
Congratulations on the sighting, Eamonn.
Living on Long Island, NY, we sometimes get the opportunity to view the shuttle from about T+8 minutes through MECO, which is pretty impressive. However, as you know you have to be lucky... weatherwise.
For example, the last visible launch for us was back in 2006... STS-116. (The more recent night launches were obstructed by cloud cover).
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 07-15-2009 09:15 PM
Thanks to all the cS'ers who emailed me with congratulations for Jorge and I.
You'll be glad to know that Jorge and his family finally got to see a shuttle launch. Although instead of Banana Creek we watched it from US#1 in Titusville.
The fact that Jorge's (and my) artwork is flying along made it that much more special for him.
Tomorrow we tour KSC.
Tom Member
Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 07-15-2009 09:19 PM
Congratulations, Tim and Jorge! Jorge, what were your impressions of your first launch?
irish guy Member
Posts: 287 From: Kerry Ireland Registered: Dec 2001
posted 07-16-2009 03:51 AM
Two very excited Irish shuttle watchers. Lots of great photos captured the event last night. Great to have this on video, went outside 18 minutes after liftoff, with the NASA TV on the net, watched and listened to them as they flew over.
dogcrew5369 Member
Posts: 750 From: Statesville, NC Registered: Mar 2009
posted 07-16-2009 09:47 AM
I have to say watching the STS-127 flight yesterday on HDNET channel in high definition is the way to go on TV. I felt like I was sitting in the bleachers at KSC except I was only a few hundred feet from the pad! HDNET covered for over half hour with many replays.It's worth having an LCD HD television just to see this. The shuttle just jumps right out at you. I wish NASA channel was HD available. Does anyone know if they plan to add HD capability?
jimsz Member
Posts: 616 From: Registered: Aug 2006
posted 07-16-2009 12:04 PM
I guess the 6th time (or was it the 5th attempt?) was the charm!
Was there ever an Apollo or earlier mission that was ever delayed many times like shuttle flights routinely are?
martinbiddulph Member
Posts: 56 From: uk Registered: Nov 2007
posted 07-16-2009 03:06 PM
quote:Originally posted by irish guy: Great to have this on video, went outside 18 minutes after liftoff, with the NASA TV on the net, watched and listened to them as they flew over.
Great to see your video of the space shuttle Endeavor and the external tank. Should be nominated for an I.F.T award! Brilliant.
tncmaxq Member
Posts: 287 From: New Haven, CT USA Registered: Oct 2001
posted 07-16-2009 08:01 PM
quote:Originally posted by jimsz: Was there ever an Apollo or earlier mission that was ever delayed many times like shuttle flights routinely are?
I would have to check on Gemini but I don't think any mission got delayed 5 or 6 times. As far as Apollo goes I still marvel that in 11 manned missions, once the vehicle was fueled and the crew was on board, there was never a scrub. Same with Skylab and ASTP.
Tom Member
Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 07-16-2009 08:41 PM
I believe Glenn's Merury flight was delayed about 10 times if I remember correctly.
KAPTEC Member
Posts: 578 From: Madrid, Spain Registered: Oct 2005
posted 07-18-2009 12:35 AM
All of you guys know about my bad english... Please let me some days to assume my emotions and be able to write clearly my impressions and thanks to everyone (Tim and Lynn specially) involved in this unforgettable experience...
Thank you so much.
irish guy Member
Posts: 287 From: Kerry Ireland Registered: Dec 2001
posted 07-18-2009 05:46 PM
Found this picture today on the STS-127 photo file. It's a classic. We has the honour and privilege of meeting Mr. Sieck at the 2007 Hall of Fame. We found ourselves walking out with Bob and his wife. It was such a pleasure to meet and talk to one of my heroes. We spoke for ages, as myself and Siobhan and his wife waited for the bus to return us to the car park after dinner... a real gentleman!
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-20-2009 12:39 AM
quote:Originally posted by irish guy: Two very excited Irish shuttle watchers. Lots of great photos captured the event last night. Great to have this on video, went outside 18 minutes after liftoff, with the NASA TV on the net, watched and listened to them as they flew over.
WOW! I am in awe of that. Seeing the ET's orange showing up in the view is just dang impressive! You managed to score a rare sight sir!
KAPTEC Member
Posts: 578 From: Madrid, Spain Registered: Oct 2005
posted 07-27-2009 06:45 PM
Back in Madrid, holidays finished, and very must busy than ever... but the trip to Titusville was worth it... REALLY!
Finally Tim and I meet together after more than two years of works. And I did not met a friend, I met a big brother and a "sister in law", because he has been blessed with a wonderful wife (like mine), who holds on with patience our continuous ongoing design works (thank you so much, Lynn and Olga).
We had the chance to be seated at Banana Creek (thank you Scott) on Sunday but unlikely the launch was aborted at T minus 9... Finally (and unexpectedly) we saw it together from the US-1 on Wednesday evening.
And our KSC "TJ Tour" (thank you TJ) took us through the Space Station Processing Facility (thank you Jose), the VAB, the OPF (we walked just under Atlantis!), the launch PAD (thxs Lee Ann)... even to the employees restaurant! (thank you Eugenio C.). Also we could saw some of the moon walker astronauts in the Apollo/Saturn V Center...
For one like me, who love the Manned Space Missions since my childhood it has been the most incredible and unforgettable journey that never could have done. Thank you so much Tim.
JPSastro Member
Posts: 170 From: Tucson, Arizona Registered: Jan 2009
posted 07-27-2009 11:30 PM
It was a real treat tonight (7-27-09) at 8:23pm to see the ISS/Shuttle pass nearly directly overhead here in Tucson, AZ. 80 degree Crystal clear skies.
With about -4 magnitude brightness it was so bright and beautiful. Through filtered 20 x 50 binoculars you could see the distinct form of the solar arrays! Tried digital handheld video, but just could not achieve decent focus. Just seeing it and knowing there are 13 humans cruising the heavens just gets me. What I wouldn't give to just make one rev!! Sorry, but this 55 year old space junkie is just in awe how far (?) we have come in 40 years. I am still fascinated and infatuated by SPACE and all the future possibilities!
Voyager1975 Member
Posts: 188 From: Registered: Dec 2008
posted 07-29-2009 09:28 AM
Just a quick question. I have not seen the Official Flight Kit Manifest for STS-127 yet, will that be posted soon? Thanks.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-29-2009 09:35 AM
Yes, it is scheduled to run as part of an article tomorrow.
Posts: 267 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Nov 2007
posted 07-30-2009 07:07 PM
Is the public able to attend the STS-127 Crew Homecoming? I would love to bring my 6 year old son and try and meet the astronauts. And do you think they might give autographs?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-30-2009 07:09 PM
Yes, the homecoming is open to the public. Gates to Ellington Field will open at 3:30 p.m.
As for autographs, it is the commander's choice per flight if his crew mingles with the crowd and signs, but more often than not, they do.
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 08-01-2009 11:59 AM
Since Endeavour approached from the south yet did the U-turn and landed from the north I'm assuming this was because of wind direction.
I've been unsuccessful in seeing any landing approaches and would like to know how soon before landing is it determined which end of the Landing Facilty an orbiter will use, 15 or 33?
If you were expecting a southern 33 landing and it changed at the last possible second to a northern 15, would you have enough time to leave KSC and get out to north Titusville to see it?
posted 07-07-2009 03:36 PM
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