STS-114 Mission Update Thread

[grooble]

Havn't seen much of it on the news, maybe people don't quite believe it will launch.<br /><br />2 days now. This is the first step back to the moon.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Newswires are pretty full, but there is a problem with a LOT of papers taking the AP feed from Marcia Dunn. Not a problem with her of course, it's a problem with it being the same story everywhere you look.<br /><br />As far as people interest....just done a story on a Gallup/CNN poll to be published in USA Today on Monday....The Space Shuttle did very well....with more people supporting the Shuttle program than a manned mission to Mars.<br /><br />Again, could be a question of people not quite believing it <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[emerrill]

Do you know when they move the RSS back? I read a timeline that said it would be parked at 7pm tues. Is that accurate/when do they start?<br /><br />I get in at 1 on tues, and want to make it out there for the last tour to the LC-39 gantry, I was hoping to see the shuttle upclose with the RSS peeled off.<br /><br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Leovinus]

In a few days, I expect you will change your name to "Shuttle_RTKSC". <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"...change your name to "Shuttle_RTKSC". </font><br /><br />Or... he could simply tell people the 'F' now stands for 'Florida'. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[Leovinus]

Even better. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

"Did you reserve a tour? You can go on line and reserve a seat: "<br /><br />Doesnt the normal KSC bus tour include the LC-39 viewing spot? Is that tour included with normal admission (that was the impression i get from the site, but im not really sure). I wont get their early enough to take the Then and Now tour (it runs at 1250, i wont be to the cape til 2-230)<br /><br />I did order my 12mo pass, since ill be there for a few days (and will be back in jan, and maybe in sept for that matter) it was sig cheaper that way.<br /><br />thanks<br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

"Yes, however the viewing stop is NOT where it was years ago...east and sout of ther pad. The viewing spot is half way to pad A (the old Apolloe MSS park site). Thus even with the RSS back your view if the vehicle is blocked by the RSS. "<br /><br />*sigh* so it sounds like there isnt a good viewing spot on site (that I can get too)? I guess Ill just have to deal and find myself a 3000mm lens <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Also on a related note, is there a local am/fm station that relays the nasa radio? What about nasa tv on a normal antenna set?<br /><br />thanks<br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

"I do not know about am/fm stations or anyway to get the audio. I have never been outside the LCC for a launch."<br /><br />*Give you an evil glare* you suck <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tsarina]

You should be able to listen to the countdown on launch day on 920 AM and 1240 AM.

 

[rvastro]

Thanks for the reminder. I have to check the frequencies in my scanner when I get home this evening.

 

[rvastro]

For those attending the launch that have scanners, here is a list of frequencies that I just found. The page was last updated Feb. 10th of this year<br /><br />http://home.cfl.rr.com/scanner/launch.htm

 

[shuttle_rtf]

>"...change your name to "Shuttle_RTKSC".<br /><br />Or... he could simply tell people the 'F' now stands for 'Florida'. <<br /><br />I'd change my name to Christina, if it helped. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />47 hours and 10 mins.

 

[SpaceKiwi]

There was a brilliant presentation on NASA TV this morning (couple of hours ago), giving an overview of the launch through slides. Nothing too technical, just a nice overview of readying the orbiter and stack for launch, but filled with lots of those neat trivia facts that you guys know I like.<br /><br />Two that I really enjoyed: One of the SSME turbopumps could empty an average sized swimming pool in approx 25 seconds! And, they blow the bolts holding the stack down a thousandth of a second before SRB ignition, such is their confidence the SRB's are going to light. I thought that was PDC (pretty darn cool!). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[nacnud]

I'm sorry to hear you can't make it to Florida for the launch. I was hoping that you'd find some interesting ways of reporting on the mission. <br /><br />I'm so excited that the STS is set to fly again <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />, I will see a launch before this bird is retired!

 

[rvastro]

Gotta warn ya--launches are addicting! I have seen 19 of them from the Cape/Titusville and no two are the same. The only thing that is the same is the feeling you get in the last nine minutes of the count--a bit of nervousness combined with the urge to shout 9but you save that for lift off).<br /><br />My goal is to see at least one launch from the Press Site.

 

[nacnud]

Well I've got five years to save the £ and I'm about to start a PhD, which leaves 1 year to save. Er... it's gona be tight <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

I'm determined to see at least one space shuttle launch before they're all gone. I'm quite disappointed that i'm too young to have seen a Saturn take off. that must have been simply amazing.

 

[emerrill]

Well. Im off on my adventure to the KSC. I hope to be there around 1430 tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and help, esp Shuttle_guy, Shuttle_RTF, and BPCooper<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />-Eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Have a good time.<br /><br />Hurricane Emily looks like a potential threat to any delayed launch next week.<br /><br />I read this thread as being the actual countdown and flight of STS-114, to keep it fresh from the tons of stuff that happened during the preparation phase? <br /><br />http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/145339.shtml?5day?large

 

[Leovinus]

Will Emily affect the landing? That would be the following week I'd guess. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

>The wives/girlfriends/husbans are getting to stick their heads into the crew module hatch.<<br /><br />Know any eligble female astronauts that have a thing about 33 year old Englishmen? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

UK Television is going huge on this launch. Sky News did a 10 minute feature piece (and a very good one) on the upcoming launch. They showed all the TV trucks, very impressive turnout. Hoping they gain the best coverage as I'm set to be their anchor man from STS-115 onwards <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />BBC and ITV News are both doing features. They all have a camera crew at KSC.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

>Sorry Chris..........Andy Thomas just married one of them. <<br /><br />Typical Aussies - always stealing the women off us <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[nacnud]

<font color="yellow">Hoping they gain the best coverage as I'm set to be their anchor man from STS-115 onwards <br /><br /><font color="white">Congrats <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /></font></font>