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STS 120 - Space Shuttle Launch
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Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:05 am ]
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DOwn here at the Johnson Space Center we are watching and waiting for the expected launch of Discovery toward the International Space Station.


I have a friend that is a Mission Specialist on this flight, Doug Wheelock.  I've known him for over ten years.  He IS EXCITED!  Yes, I shouted!  He is a classy guy.  West Point grad, Col in the US Army.  This is his first flight.


I also have a netghbor that took his kids iut of school and is viewing the launch.  I want to go!!!


Safe Flight, Discovery.  Bring your crew home safe and sound!
Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:00 am ]
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You would think that a shuttle launch is not any big news...  All the major networks are on regular programming!


Hesh, someday soon ya better go!  There arn't too many shuttle flights left.  Retirement is in 2010.  Now, rhw Constellation will be a fun launch to see.  Similar solid rockets that wi
Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:07 am ]
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Whoops!  My computer just passed W.A.S. or something similar


Constellation will use two similar solid rockets and will be loud at launch.  The same gut shaking rumble!


I work in risk analysis for the Safety and Mission Assurance division and am involved with the design of the new space vehicle, albeit, a small small part.
Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:01 am ]
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WHAT A LAUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Now I have to get ready for work.  I work an evening shift for shuttle flight support in risk analysis.  Since I joined this group a year ago all the missions have been 'nominal.'  We didn't have anything to work during flight.   That is a very good thing!
Author:  John How [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:20 am ]
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I used to support the shuttle in flight as a comm tech (civilian) at Sunnyvale AFB, here in California. In 1989 or so, I went to Fla and watched on launch (can't remember the STS# but it was Endeaver, came back home and supported it in flight. It is an awesome thing to watch and hear.
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:28 am ]
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Steve, so how many "Takes a Rocket Scientist" jokes have you heard?

Best wishes for your friends safe return.
Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:00 am ]
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We have a bunch of Rocket Scientists at SAIC.....


But none can screw in a light bulb!!!


Hey!  Who's makin' fun of me???


Oh, its me. 


And Hesh, yes, I have a cool job!  But I work to live.  Not the other way around.  I sometimes wish that I could work in my shop eight hours a day.
Author:  nathan c [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:15 am ]
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I drive by the "Pathfinder" orbiter, an A-12 Oxcart (SR-71 predecessor), a Saturn V mockup, and a real Saturn V test rocket every day I go to work. No kidding. I would definately wreck my car if they ever took off though! Being from Huntsville, anything to do with NASA is always in the news. I would absolutely love to see a launch one day!


Some guys flickr site of the space center

Save the Saturn V

By the way, when I was a young punk I worked at a local machine shop. I got to work on fixtures & parts for the Chandrice and Hubble telescope mirrors (after the mirror was found to be bad ), and part of the motor for the X-36 Orbiter (which got cancelled).
Motor

Injector which I worked on.

Local test firing!
Author:  Steve Walden [ Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:57 am ]
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[QUOTE=Hesh1956]
Maybe get them some bigger light bulbs......... [/QUOTE]


Oh, the bulbs are big enough.  Its just the committee approach that is sometimes frustrating!
Author:  Steve Walden [ Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:43 am ]
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Just came out of the Mission Control Center at JSC.  Things are quiet with my friend set to do a spacewalk tomorrow morning.  He has to "campout" in the airlock tonight (~10 hours) to adjust the body to the lower pressure of the spacesuit.  This is done gradually so as not to induce the bends.


Just found out that the ISS and Shuttle will be flying overhead this evening.  It is a clear, crisp night here and will be an excellent time to view.  Go to


http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.c gi?country=United_States&region=Texas&city=Houston


to find out where and when you can see the combined vehicles.  It is very visible to the naked eye just after sunset with the sun reflecting off of the vehicles.
Author:  Steve Walden [ Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:16 pm ]
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Went outside at 7:05 central and watched the two joined birds go by!  It was really cool.  The massive solar arrays really reflect the sunlight.


The link I gave before give the times for Houston.  Here is the link to use to find when it will be over your city:


http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/index.html


Have fun.  When I was a kid in the 60's we used to sit outside and watch the satellites go by.... Brought back memories tonight.
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