Farewell Atlantis
- Thread starter FENZO
- Start date
Fubar
Totally ****** Up
It's pretty freaking wild when you think about the number of countries on the planet that have the resources, willingness and ingenuity to do this. God Bless the USA.
Oh, does anybody know why do they paint the center fuel cell, rust-bucket orange? I mean, they could do white like the rest of the ship, right? It kind of remind me of the millenium falcon with all the rust and patchwork on the wings. May the force be with you Captain Solo! :usa
Oh, does anybody know why do they paint the center fuel cell, rust-bucket orange? I mean, they could do white like the rest of the ship, right? It kind of remind me of the millenium falcon with all the rust and patchwork on the wings. May the force be with you Captain Solo! :usa
The External Tank (ET) is not painted, that is the natural color of the Spray-On Foam Insulation (SOFI). I think the tank was painted on the first two flights, then abandoned for weight savings.
Sinovac
GT Owner
2112
Blue/white 06'
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
I still remember waaaaaay back in the 50's when Walt Disney (yes, THAT Walt Disney!) outlined on his T.V. show how the space shuttle was going look/operate...long before all that became reality. 'Seems awfully weird to actually be watching the END of that whole program now.
Triheart7
GT Owner
I was thinking, great photos what Cell phone are you using? :rofl
Great photos:thumbsup
Silverbullitt
GT Owner
Atlantis looks rode hard and put up wet compared to the spanking new Columbia. It is a shame that they don't keep flying until the next system is in place. I remember the void between Apollo and the Shuttle. Hopefully the private groups will take up the slack soon.
If you have not gone to Space Center in Houston do it. It is amazing how many apollo capsules could fit into the shuttle. It could almost hold a school bus.
If you have not gone to Space Center in Houston do it. It is amazing how many apollo capsules could fit into the shuttle. It could almost hold a school bus.
PL510*Jeff
Well-known member
Did you have the same feeling for the last ride for The Pony Express mail delivery system?
The weight savings of leaving that spray on tank foam unpainted was several THOUSAND pounds. It was a bread box size chunk of that rust colored, rock hard foam that came off during launch and struck the leading edge of Columbia's left wing, knocking off a bunch of the protective tiles, that resulted in it's breaking up during re-entry.
GREAT PICTURES !!!! Thanks for putting them up.
Chip
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
Well, yes, I do...now that you mention it. But, do you not recall me saying - as you were transferring your saddle bags to your fresh horse and were about to gallop away - that I was sure gunna miss seeing you ride by???
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Neilda
GT Owner
Are they your pics and how are you able to get up so close?
I know the brother of the British astronaut. That makes me nearly a member of NASA right?
I know the brother of the British astronaut. That makes me nearly a member of NASA right?
Neilda - I did not take these photos, thes are from a guy in my office. I couldn't make this trip unfortunately. No biggie to get that close if you work for NASA, just have to make a request. I've never worked on the Shuttle program, yet I've been in a couple of them and out on the pad like this. Even NASA understands that it's own employees are often enthusiastic tourists.
As you can probably imagine astronauts have a lot of pull within NASA, if you can get one to request something, you will probably get it.
As you can probably imagine astronauts have a lot of pull within NASA, if you can get one to request something, you will probably get it.
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skyrex
FORD GT OWNER
Absolutely Fantastic Photos!!! :thumbsup:thumbsup
That is so great that you have been up close and actually in a shuttle. I would love to do that. I got to go on a tour of the Nimitz and a couple of other naval ships when I was younger. That was awesome as well.
Another aviation type thing that I want to do is walk through the Spruce Goose someday. I understand that is ridiculous to see in person.
That is so great that you have been up close and actually in a shuttle. I would love to do that. I got to go on a tour of the Nimitz and a couple of other naval ships when I was younger. That was awesome as well.
Another aviation type thing that I want to do is walk through the Spruce Goose someday. I understand that is ridiculous to see in person.