As part of the invite to attend the STS-131 launch we received a special tour of the Kennedy Space Center on Friday, 2 April 2010. It wasn’t your normal tour to say the least.
All Aboard…
It started out by riding our bus from the hotel to KSC. We drove straight to the International Space Station Center. This is an interesting stop on the normal bus tour. Here you can view the “factory floor” and see the scientists, engineers, and other contractors prepare experiments, modules and other components destined for the ISS. These days the work is limited since the Shuttle is soon to retire and the ISS is nearly completely constructed. Actually STS-130 delivered and installed the last part, the “Cupola,” on the previous mission. After viewing the floor we proceeded back downstairs and walked around in some of the replica or test modules. It was very nice to see just how the astronauts live in space. You might think they would be cramped, but there is quite a bit of room for them, including some personal space. This is where they prepared the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo with over 17,000 pounds of supplies and equipment that STS-131 delivered to the ISS.
Here is the ISSC floor. In the distance you can see a part (under plastic) destined for the ISS on a future mission.
Launch Complex 39…
Back on the bus headin towards Launch Complex 39! On the way to the Launch Complex you could still make out the track marks made by the crawler. The special river rock is actually pulverized by the crushing weight of the whole vehicle and launch assembly. This is not on a standard tour, but we were able to drive up to a spot off on the side. We weren’t able to head up onto Launch Pad 39A since there was a lot of work taking place just a couple of days before the launch. We had a few minutes to get out and take photos and admire the beauty of the Shuttle Assembly awaiting it’s turn to blast off! The roll-away gantry was blocking the orbiter itself, but it was still awe-inspiring. We were 1/4 mile away from the pad, which during the launch you would most likely be dead due to any number of factors. It was a quick stop there and off to the next stop.
Even while driving along you can clearly make out the tracks made by the crawler.
Me posing for a quick picture with Pad 39A and Discovery behind me. Go Discovery!
Unfathomable History…
Ah, my favorite part of the whole tour! Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building! My first thought once I gathered them together was “This is where they stacked together the massive Saturn V rockets, which carried very brave men to the moon.” First, you need some statistics on this building to visualize its size with me. It stands some 525 feet tall! That is half the height of the Eiffel Tower. It is 716 feet long and 518 feet wide. It is one of the largest structures ever constructed by man. It is said that clouds could form inside and actually rain if the air conditioning were to fail. Some more interesting facts:
- each star of the flag is 6 feet across;
- each stripe of the flag is large enough to drive a bus down;
- you can’t get the whole building in a picture without crossing to the press viewing area.
We walked through the main doors into the transfer aisle. At this point you start to get an idea of just how large this building is. Of course, we haven’t got a clear view of the high bays (where the shuttle assembly work is actually done). I immediately smelled the history oozing out of the floor and walls. I was wondering how awestruck the astronauts were when they first got a glimpse inside. Of course, to the folks who work there everyday it probably doesn’t seem that big. We got to see the ET and the SRBs awaiting for orbiter Atlantis to be attached for it’s upcoming flight. There was so much to look at! I will let a set of photos tell the story.
Need I say more?
The view of the VAB from just inside the door. In the distance, if you can make them out, there are some workers. They almost look like ants from here.
They call this end of the VAB the "Cathedral." Notice the crane in the middle of the shot. This crane lifts the Shuttle off the trailer and rotates it so it can be lifted into the high bay. The red structures in the foreground on the right are relics from the early days.
The first view up to the top of the VAB. Notice the other crane at the top of the high bay. It is truly staggering.
How do you measure up? The lowest sign in the far high bay is the height of the Shuttle Assembly. The highest sign in the same bay is the height of the Ares I-X. The Saturn V rocket would have been up around there also.
This photo gives you a bit of perspective. Shot from the floor you can see the ceiling way, way above me!
Behind the grid work of catwalks, etc. you can see the distinctive orange insulation foam of the External Fuel Tank. The SRBs are also noticeable.
X marks the spot. The map showing the different areas of the VAB.
A view of the VAB as we drive towards the SLF. Notice one of the high bay doors partially open.
Landing Time…
The next stop on our tour was the Shuttle Landing Facility or SLF. It is home to one of the world’s longest runways at 15,000 feet long and 300 feet wide. While many different aircraft use the SLF for takeoffs and landings it was designed specifically for end-of-mission Shuttle orbiter landings. We got to see the mate-demate device, which is how they offload the Shuttle orbiter from the 747 when it lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California. It is an amazing piece of machinery. There were also some of the NASA jets to bring the astronauts and other personnel to the Cape. Plus we caught a glimpse of one the T-38s (astronaut training jets).
Here is the Mate-Demate Device (MDD) located at the SLF.
Three NASA jets used to ferry the astronauts and other personnel around.
First is Last…
Our last stop of the tour would be your first: the KSC Visitor’s Complex. We were dropped off and had two hours to explore here at the Visitor’s Complex. The two main things to do here were to watch the movie “Hubble 3D” in the IMAX theatre or ride the “Shuttle Launch Experience.”
Since, I hadn’t done the SLE on my previous visit here I needed to do that. It was an awesome ride and if you are down there visiting, YOU GOTTA DO THIS! It is an amazing simulation of the Shuttle liftoff and trip into space. It gives you a great deal of information and truly gives you a great deal of insight into launch. After a a briefing from former astronaut and now Administrator of NASA, Charlie Bolden, Jr., you enter into a set of seats, which are located in the payload bay of the Shuttle. You get another short update from Charlie and then the fun begins. The seats are rotated so you are facing upward, sitting on your back as it were, just like the Shuttle astronauts. The countdown then begins. At T-minus 6 seconds, the three main Shuttle engines kick in and the shuttle “twangs” or pitches slightly (10-15 degrees) forward. The Shuttle then returns to an upright position and then at 0 seconds, the SRBs fire and there is no turning back. You shake, rattle and roll for the next 2 minutes and 5 seconds as the SRBs lift you high up into the sky. It is impossible to focus on anything at this point. The roll program is initiated by Houston at T-plus 15 seconds. Next, you do a throttle down the three main Shuttle engines to 72% at MaxQ or maximum dynamic pressure. After a few seconds you are safe and given the command to throttle back up to 104.5% on the three main Shuttle engines. As the SRBs start to burn out they are jettisoned with a loud bang and a jarring thud. The ride gets so smooth with just the Shuttle engines burning you think you have made it to space already, but there is a few minutes left. After a smooth ride you have Main Engine Cut Off or MECO and shortly after that you jettison the External Fuel Tank and then you’re nearly done. The last task is to open the Shuttle’s payload bay doors and then you can catch some zzz’s. I forgot to tell you that somewhere in that whole sequence you face an emergency, but with all your training you are able to overcome it. Well actually the crew does fix the problem so you are safe. Also, the opening of the payload bay doors seems to have no effect on your well-being so you are in a contained, pressurized unit. You then exit the ride, having a much greater appreciation for the launch and the astronauts. And in my case an even greater desire to ride along for real!
After the SLE, I didn’t have time to catch the Hubble 3D movie so I wandered around the complex checking out some of the artwork and other attractions. I did spend a chunk of time in the “Space Shop” looking for prizes for the upcoming Yuri’s Night celebration. My time was then up and we boarded the bus to head back to the hotel. It was a great day with many exciting moments, which I will remember for a long time to come. Thanks NASA!
My unique ticket to enjoy an amazing day.
