Posts Tagged twitter
Three Months Later
It’s been three months since I witnessed the last liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery, as part of the STS-133 NASA Tweetup group. I’m still thinking about it, still processing in a way — how bright it was, the sounds, the vibrations, and the way the launch plume was swept away by the wind, until the only indicator that a launch had taken place was the absence of the shuttle on the pad. (Well… that, and the amazing amount of traffic we drove home in. Clearly a launch had taken place!)
I feel so fortunate, given STS-134′s experience with low cloud cover, that we could watch the shuttle until it disappeared over the horizon, sans SRBs. I feel so fortunate to have met such wonderful people during both trips, friendships which I hope last a lifetime. It’s repetitive, but it sums it up: I feel so fortunate to have seen this, and done this.
There’s only one launch left now — STS-135, shuttle Atlantis — and NASA is having one last launch tweetup. I strongly encourage anyone to register: go here, it opens at noon EDT on on June 1st.
Space Rocks!
Photo by Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now
My friend Jim Cook inspired this post, because it features his beloved SPACE ROCKS. Yessir, you are looking at genuine crawler-track gravel, across which many a spacefaring vehicle has inched! Jim encouraged me to pick up a pebble or two, as they have most definitely been touched by giant vehicles touching space shuttles and rockets. (Sadly I was never anywhere near the crawler track when I visited the launch pad. I probably should have picked up a rock anyway, as they have also most definitely been kissed by rocket exhaust… I AM A FOOL FOR NOT THINKING OF THIS EARLIER.)
I will forevermore be partial to Discovery, but I have to admit, Endeavour is looking lovely in these pictures. Godspeed, STS-134!
Photo by Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now
Launch Highlights
The NASA Astrovan, photo by Danielle Signor
I’m still processing an actual written-account-type post of my experience at the STS-133 launch, so for now please accept some highlight photos from launch day. Above: we went out to the roadway to wave at the Astrovan as it went by, en route to Pad 39A. (It stopped briefly and opened the door, but alas, we did not see the astronauts, they were just dropping a few people off at Mission Control. Sigh.)
Next, here’s Discovery moments before launch — the nose cap has just moved out of harm’s way:
STS-133 just before launch, photo by Danielle Signor
When I heard this existed, I wandered around all the press buildings until I found it — not for lack of snacks, but for the sheer novelty of buying something from the NASA Snackmobile:
The NASA Snackmobile, photo by Danielle Signor
Finally, here’s what was left, post-launch. Ten or fifteen minutes later, it had turned into normal wispy clouds of vapor, and nothing was left but the empty launch pad.
The launch plume, photo by Danielle Signor
NASA Adventure Redux
Posted by Danielle in News & Happenings, Perspectives on February 22, 2011
Okay, so here I am again — Thursday looks very promising for an on-time space shuttle launch, and NASA has extended our security clearances so I will be coming to you LIVE from the KSC press site! Here’s a handy list of links to my photos and updates:
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoshichan/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/silverrockets (I have set Twitter to update my Facebook, for those connected to me there.)
Blog: You are here. Let’s see what happens on Thursday!
There are no formal NASA Tweetup “events” this time around, but there are ~110 of us coming back, so I’m sure the #nasatweetup tag will be in heavy use, and therefore NASA Buzzroom will be the happening place (no Twitter acct required to view!)
Safe travels to all my fellow NASA Tweetup friends – see you in FL!
Lunar Prospector
When I went to the STS-133 NASATweetup this fall, I had some MOO MiniCards made to take with me, with my blog URL, Twitter and phone number. (Tweeps, very few of you saw these because I promptly forgot all about them until, oh, Friday. I and they will be back for Tweetup 2.0 in February, and I promise I’ll actually hand them out this time!!) Since at this point I’m known for being a little picture-happy, I made up 50 different back images to go on the cards — hey! I showed RESTRAINT! You can pick up to 100!! — and this is my favorite one. (I have it propped up on my desk with my foam astronaut, and Pathfinder and VentureStar toys.)
I picked this for the last day of 2010 because it’s spectacularly composed and framed. And although I have many, many Shuttle and Saturn V launch photo favorites, I think this is the neatest launch photo I’ve ever seen. The End.
NASA’s Lunar Prospector spacecraft launched successfully on its way to the Moon from Launch Complex 46 (LC46) at Cape Canaveral Air Station on Jan. 6 at 9:38 p.m. EST. It was the inaugural launch of Lockheed Martin’s Athena II launch vehicle and the first launch from LC46, operated by Spaceport Florida Authority. Lunar Prospector, built for the NASA Ames Research Center by Lockheed Martin, is a spin-stabilized spacecraft designed to provide NASA with the first global maps of the Moon’s surface and its gravitational magnetic fields, as well as look for the possible presence of ice near the lunar poles. It will orbit the Moon at an altitude of approximately 63 miles during a one-year mission.
Have a Happy New Year and stay safe tonight!
No Launch This Year
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on December 3, 2010
Image Credit: NASA
A month ago, I was in Florida to watch the launch of space shuttle Discovery. This week, I was supposed to be in Florida to watch the launch of space shuttle Discovery. Week after next, I was going to be in Florida to watch the launch of space shuttle Discovery… now, in February, I’ll be in Florida to watch the launch of space shuttle Discovery. Well, that’s how the space program works sometimes, right? Better safe than sorry.
I never did write an epically-long overview of my trip to Florida and the experience of the STS-133 tweetup. Even now, a month later, it’s hard to put it into words. It changed me profoundly. It was wonderful to be there. I can’t remember a time when I was so constantly thrilled and awe-inspired as I was during my days at Kennedy Space Center. Standing inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (looking up, of course) was amazing — the VAB is a cathedral to space exploration. It’s more scaffolding and heavy-lifting cranes than flying buttresses, pointed arches and rib vaulting, but it doesn’t really matter. I have this amazingly boring/exciting photo taken of the space shuttle runway, as we were driving down it. (Sadly, skidmarks are not present in the photo.) That was one of many thrilling things we saw that day.
It’s hard to pick a “favorite thing” I did or saw on the trip. If I say that, the usual response is, “seeing the SHUTTLE, of course!” …which is not untrue, but the VAB is just as much a “favorite” (for different reasons.) I mean, of course the most incredible thing I saw was Discovery on the launch pad. Of course. But I also don’t want to discount the other incredible things I saw — and in a way, the things I saw can’t hold a candle to the most important thing I took back with me, and that was the people I met. I was with them for only a week (some of them, only a day or two), and I miss them all like crazy. Truly, #NASATweetup is a family, and after the emotional storm of highs and lows we all suffered through together, I’m sure we’ll always be close.
The newest delay doesn’t bother me. It gives me more time to talk about my experiences, and the upcoming launch, before I go. I come from a very rural area, far from any sort of space industry. It’s fun to see so many people in my community following Discovery’s launch status, because I was going out there the first time, and now because they know I’m going back for the new launch date. To have people asking, “I heard it got delayed again, but… you’re still GOING, RIGHT???” is a bit surreal (mostly this question comes from my clients), but I appreciate their enthusiasm. If I get even a few people more interested in the space program, or more knowledgeable about the logistics involved (like a series of delays, in order to fully understand the underlying issues), that feels like a victory to me. Even if it’s just a small one.
In my view, the purpose of NASA Tweetups is to inform and inspire a set of people that can turn around and reach others, and pass it on. I’m still very thankful that I was able to go, be inspired, and can now do my best to inspire others. And one of these days, I’ll get to see Discovery launch. In February, this personal quest to see a shuttle launch will be one year in the making. Seems like a perfect time to light the STS-133 candle!
At Sunset
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives, Picspam on November 11, 2010
These photos represent an intimate memory for me — the moment I fell in love, in love, with Space Shuttle Discovery. One look was all it took. I couldn’t help myself.
The NASA Tweetup group went out to the launch pad at sunset (or as sunset-y as it could be, being overcast.) I stood at the very edge of our roped-off quadrant, as close as I could get to Discovery, and stared in awe. As the light dimmed and the launch pad lights brightened, she looked more and more enchanting. Sorry for the blurry photos, it was the best I could do without a tripod.
Interesting side-note — see the fine-mesh chain link at the top of the fence? It’s not to keep people out, but alligators. Apparently they climb regular chain link! o_O; Who knew?
The Flag
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on November 5, 2010
I almost didn’t post today, because… blah, launch scrub this morning. But here’s a picture of the Discovery flag, flying with the American flag next to the countdown clock. (This, shortly before they took down the Discovery flag, which all of us at the NASA Tweetup tent took to be a Bad Sign.) I had a wonderful week out here, and although I’m not going to experience a launch, I’ve had a lot of other incredible experiences (which will appear on Flickr this weekend I promise!!) and met some amazing people. It was definitely worth it, launch or no.
Also, for a simply amazing photo of part of our group by the highly talented Paolo Dy, click here.
Discovery Close-Up
This beautiful photo is on my NASA Tweetup badge, and I got to see this beautiful vehicle (not from so close) yesterday, which is one of the most amazing experiences in my lifetime. To be topped, weather permitting, by watching her launch on Thursday. The day was full of seeing absolutely wondrous things; I’m ever so happy!
This image of space shuttle Discovery was taken as the craft began its nighttime trek, known as “rollout,” from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A.
It took the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank, twin solid rocket boosters and mobile launcher platform, about six hours to complete the move atop a crawler-transporter. On STS-133, its final planned mission, Discovery will take the Permanent Multipurpose Module packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2 to the International Space Station.
Ready to Ride!
Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Today’s the day I fly out to the NASA STS-133 Tweetup at Kennedy Space Center, and hey, the crew here is pretty accurately representing how I feel about going, so… I’ll just leave them to it! See you in Florida!
At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-133 crew takes a break from a simulated launch countdown to ham it up on the 195-foot level of Launch Pad 39A. From left are, Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialist Michael Barratt, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Tim Kopra, Nicole Stott, and Alvin Drew. The simulation was part of a week-long Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station.
-
About Silver Rockets
This blog celebrates space exploration, human spaceflight and the heavens, through lots and lots ofimages.
My name is Danielle Signor, and I am a space cadet. STS-133 NASA Tweetup Attendee!
This is a blog, NOT A SHOP. Click the images for their source or purchase link, if available.
-
Subscribe
-
Danielle Recommends...
-
Elsewhere on the Web
