space-shuttle return to florida

[cforst513]

two questions:

why did the shuttle land in california?
anyone know when it'll ride piggy-back to cape canaveral? i want to be in the air/area when it does to see the 747 fly over.

 

[SiuDude]

two questions:

why did the shuttle land in california?
anyone know when it'll ride piggy-back to cape canaveral? i want to be in the air/area when it does to see the 747 fly over.

Too many chemtrails over FL at the time. It takes about 2 weeks to prepare the shuttle for the flight back to KSC. I am sure the NASA website will have more information when the time comes.


Just kidding about the chemtrails. It was the weather.

 

[Kream926]

i highly doubt you'll be able to get close to it in the air

 

[bocefus]

Politics, needed to stimulate the Palmdale-Antelope Valley economy.
About a two weeks from today, watch the news, there should be ample coverage.

 

[cforst513]

i highly doubt you'll be able to get close to it in the air

HA!!! that's what the "man" wants you to think...


yeah, after i submitted the post it dawned on me flying that day might prove to be a pain in the rear end.

 

[Kream926]

HA!!! that's what the "man" wants you to think...
.

umm ya let me know how the intercept goes

 

[cforst513]

ok! you'll see it on CNN, i'm sure.... nothing like 6 fighters circling an ever-so-dangerous 172.

 

[doug_or]

I think the 747 actauly flies pretty low. Last time it flew over northern AZ I guess it scared a few of our Seiminoles.

 

[C172gal05]

Man that would be soo cool to see!

 

[sky37d]

umm ya let me know how the intercept goes

Those F-16's are real impressive, close up.

 

[Fly_Chick]

Have there been TFRs in the past for shuttle "shuttles"?

 

[EagleRJ]

Have there been TFRs in the past for shuttle "shuttles"?

Not for the flight route, no.

It's true that with the Shuttle on its back, the 747 SCA can't fly very high or very fast. In fact, it can't make the trip from Edwards to the Cape unrefueled. It normally makes at least one stop along the way. I think one technical stop they use is Dyess AFB west of Abilene, TX.
I heard the SCA on the radio one time, but I've never seen it in person.

 

[dseagrav]

If you ask NASA's permission maybe you can go take pictures of it.

 

[Fly_Chick]

Well, the shuttle returned home today, about 30 minutes earlier than predicted.

We had it all planned out, our IR flight to depart 30 minutes before the 747/shuttle landing, called FSS, planned 'holds' for the first part of our flight so we could get the best view, ready with cameras in hand...

Then on the run-up I see a huge airplane across the horizon, then I realize it is really huge, then I realize it is the 747 with the shuttle on top. We had not even left the ground. A bit bummed yet also very happy that I did get to see it, what an amazing sight...

 

[cforst513]

Well, the shuttle returned home today, about 30 minutes earlier than predicted.

We had it all planned out, our IR flight to depart 30 minutes before the 747/shuttle landing, called FSS, planned 'holds' for the first part of our flight so we could get the best view, ready with cameras in hand...

Then on the run-up I see a huge airplane across the horizon, then I realize it is really huge, then I realize it is the 747 with the shuttle on top. We had not even left the ground. A bit bummed yet also very happy that I did get to see it, what an amazing sight...

dang it, are you serious? i was hoping to at least be at EVB to look for it, not to mention be up flying. oh well. i'll pray for crappy weather next time it lands!

 

[Fly_Chick]

Yeah, and to add a little salt... I asked my student "did you get a weather brief" after they got off the phone with FSS, then I said "never mind, if the shuttle/shuttle is coming in, weather will not be a factor!" We were all set, even had the hold over COI all planned out for the best view...

Funny thing is about an hour into our flight (about 1hr 15 mins after shuttle landing) other people were asking approach about the arrival time of the shuttle so they could see it. Approach person stated they he just arrived on station and did not have any information.

Wonder what call sign they were under?

 

[Vector4fun]

They used to land at Biggs field fairly often. They used a NASA XXX call sign. They used to send another aircraft out ahead 20 minutes to keep tabs on the winds/ride as well.

I've got a framed photo at home of the wife, (We were dating at the time) standing in front of the 747/Shuttle on the Biggs ramp. The Biggs Tower chief got us out there to see it. They used to keep a half-dozen GIs around it with M-16s, but don't know if that's still the norm.

 

[rvsm410]

Security is always very high, this is a national asset. Even here at KSC, Discovery has been demated from the 747 but has not been towed to the OPF yet, Military Helo's are in 24/7 area coverage to prevent any kind of attack while she is in the open air of the Space Center.....All of us here at KSC realize that seeing the combo (Shuttle/747) flying home yesterday "could" be the last time we see this until the day(s) when the Fleet will be sent to the national Park system for public viewing...

 

[User546]

NASA has their own SWAT team that is posted and ready to respond at all times at KSC. When the astronauts are on the grounds they provide protective duty as well. They also have some pretty nice toys to play with as well. Some details are below:

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/swat_feature.html
NASA SWAT Team Profile

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=894519&size=L
NASA SWAT Helo In Action

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=887223&size=L
NASA SWAT Helo On Guard

http://www.bartnet.net/~jmt/nasa_swat.jpg
NASA SWAT Armored Van Behind Astronauts Van

 

[erj-145mech]

http://www.bartnet.net/~jmt/nasa_swat.jpg
NASA SWAT Armored Van Behind Astronauts Van

Looks like some body tinkled on the right front tire. Too much duty time?