Monthly Archives: May 2011

launch

Out to Launch, the Video

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What We Did at Launch

As I mentioned in an earlier post or two, we got to see the Endeavour launch last week and report on it (and send images) for Sky & Telescope, for whom I’ve freelanced over the years on a variety of stories (before and after I worked there!).

We also shot some all-sky imagery and HD video, and decided to put together a little presentation showing our friends and colleagues and family what it was like to be at the launch. We were both pleased and proud to share the experience with the magazine’s readers.

Now, aside from our official journalistic contributions, Mark and I have put together a little video to share with friends, family and colleagues who have asked us what it’s like to be at a launch.

It’s actually pretty cool to be going to NASA to see a launch. Heck, just seeing the meatball logo on the signs going to KSC just gives me the chills — but I’ve always been a big believer in what NASA does and has done for our country. The media folk at KSC were very helpful and patient with the ravening hordes of media personnel who descended upon them for the launch events. Although I’ve covered a number of NASA events over the years for my various journalistic masters, it still always surprises me to see how many people turn out for space missions.

We’re incredibly grateful to Sky & Telescope AND the NASA Kennedy Space Center Media folk for making this all possible.  We hope that you will enjoy the video and maybe check out some more of NASA’s missions and read up on the latest at S&T.

(Note: there’s a slightly better-quality version of the video at: http://www.vimeo.com/24155474)

astronomy, atlantis, NASA

Space Exploration Begins Right Here

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With the Folks on the Ground

Atlantis leaving the OPF. Image copyright Carolyn Collins Petersen.

One of the more poignant experiences I had during launch week at the Kennedy Space Center was the chance to watch “orbiter rollover.”  No, it’s not a ground maneuver where the orbiter flips on its back.  It’s really just the transfer of a space shuttle from one building to another. But, in this case, it was a really momentous transfer — the last one for Atlantis.  She was moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), where she was made ready for flight and had all its payload installed, to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it was mated to its solid rocket boosters and external tank. During the move, employees who had worked on the orbiter preps came out and had their pictures taken with Atlantis. At one point,they marched along with her, carrying a banner that said, “We’re Behind You, Atlantis!”

Atlantis leaving the OPF. Image by Carolyn Collins Petersen.

I heard someone say that this was a time of “finals”.  The final launch of Endeavour. The final time Atlantis would leave the OPF.  The final time she would enter the VAB. And, inevitably, the final time Atlantis would launch.

And, it’s also a time of rituals like the little parade we saw. Very human things to do, and entirely understandable.

It was very personal and a wee bit sad to see these employees say goodbye to Atlantis.  And, not just because in some sense they were also saying goodbye to their jobs. It’s also goodbye to a way of life, to a program that has lasted for 30 years, taking people to space routinely.  The people I saw waving goodbye to Atlantis are specialists. They made their living from space exploration, and their salaries paid for food, cars, homes, clothing, schooling, and all the other necessities of life.  Space exploration for the past 30 years — at least with the shuttles — began right here on the ground, with these people who took pride in what they did and are willing to stand behind the work they do on each and every shuttle that goes up.

So, the next time I hear somebody whining and sighing about how all that money gets spent in space, and doesn’t do anybody any good here on the ground, I’m going to show them this picture, and point out this pride, this loving attention that these people paid to their Atlantis.

Teams leading Atlantis to the VAB. Image by Carolyn Collins Petersen. Copyright 2011.

It wasn’t just hardware that our tax dollars bought: it was the expertise of these good and wonderful people who made the shuttles go. And, they spend their salaries right here on the ground, helping us realize some of our dreams of space exploration. To all of them, I (and I think all of us owe them this) say “Thank YOU!”