#HT4H "Thank you" (to our armed forces everywhere)

A while back--- over a decade actually... I met a man coming home on a flight. 

 We were seated in the rear of the plane for the duration of the 6 hour trip. His arm was in a cast and lifted with a jack so arm, shoulder and elbow extended like a wing.   A rather ungainly contraption on an aircraft with him on a right aisle seat.  I offered him the seat on my side of the aisle so the arm would have the empty seat next to mine.

He was dressed in civilian clothing, but pressed and wrinkle free.

Clearly he was in pain, and when I looked closer the dressings were fresh but dotted with post-surgery blood. Water was requested, and I helped pull a medicine bottle out of a front jeans pocket.  At the time this struck me as a very intimate act to perform on someone I had just met. 

 I assisted with the cap, and two tablets were taken moments before takeoff.

As the pain medication kicked in he relaxed in his seat and we talked ...

He spoke more freely than he normally would.   Perhaps the narcotic pain medication created this window of opportunity. 

He talked of the crash that injured his arm and shoulder.   Later he spoke of the bullet that caused the crash and the surgery that followed. He talked of lives lost.  Of friends and co-workers and a few that were not friends. 

He talked of the pride of being an SOF member regardless of what branch each member came from.

Of the teamwork and oddly of unique autonomy his job gave and required. 

He talked of the missions and how he came to save more lives than he took but was humane about those that he had to take.

He spoke of being thankful, to speak and download his experiences... because at his level, therapy was not an option. At his level--- asking for therapy was career ending.   Team members were each others therapists... and rarely even then.

Never boasting, always with humility, he spoke with the candor of a true professional. A soldier, that would in any other career be a CEO or Director.  He was equipped  with a near photographic memory and had test scores that have allowed him to have any job in the world.... Even as an active duty military member he had two graduate degrees and a doctorate from the best schools in the nation. 

Nearly 20 years of active duty all of it while maintaining a physical fitness level that would rival any professional athlete in the nation--- if not an Olympic athlete. 

Combat pay, jump pay, hazard pay, and a dozen other bumps took his salary to nearly 75,000 a year.  This was perhaps a tenth of what he would have made in the civilian world.

We spoke of the importance of training and education.  I spoke of my own discovery of the depths of my patriotism after years as a "rebel without a clue"and the amazing members of the military both past and active duty that I had met since that discovery.

He talked of being the first member of *any* military or LEA branch to respond to a hurricane because he and a few others were dropped by air during the peak winds.  The base was evacuated but something important was left behind...

Without pride or ego he gave me a brief glimpse of what it was to be a member of the most elite group of military operatives on the entire planet. One of less than 100 men and women that have probably saved the world more times than even they will ever know.... 

Yet he was also keenly aware that his own life was just one mission away from oblivion... and the "work  phone" could ring at any hour of any day.

To that one person, and his coworkers living and dead throughout time.   

To those few that dedicate not just a career but an entire lifetime to study "war" in all its forms--- A subject that no sane person never wants to be part of...

To those many legions at every level of the armed forces that we owe our lives, liberty and freedom to... every hour of every day of every year.

To those who have given their lives, physical health,  mental health, and even marriages.

To those who have done this throughout the history of this nation...

I take this moment to say "thank you."

The legacy of NASA Shuttle and the Spacex Challenge

In response to the Huffington Post blog referenced here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-leahy

 What made the Shuttle (and the entire STS program) "the most complicated machine ever built by humankind" was the *imposed* need for Small Business Administration fulfillment.  A very large percent of each spacecraft had to be built by both small and economically restricted businesses.  Over 2.4 million components (most) produced by  separate businesses on paper diagrams before the internet even existed.  I have seen portions of those documents at (retired) Rockwell facilities.  10's of thousands of pages. 

This was typical of the entire government contracting system of the 70's and 80's and not the fault of NASA.  Essentially *any* aerospace company worked under the same rules.  Inherent in this process is also a "freeze" of technology at the same time.  Computers with the power of an Apple IIe were the initial processors used on board.  Due to the cost and complexity of "redesign" this remained the case far longer than similar computers were used anywhere else.

What that procurement legacy gave us was a spacecraft system that was built by 10's of thousands of people who were both "the lowest bidder" as well as often a "mom and pop" shop.

Although they worked to exacting tolerances the lifetime of the STS program was spread over 40 years.   Many of those shops simply closed/retired/went out of business over the decades.  Although major components could be recreated (if necessary), the cost of long term procurement continued to spiral. 

I agree with Senator John Glenn's public statement(s) and feel that the shuttle program was cancelled (by the George W. Bush administration) woefully early.   However the complexity of the system and the design requirements resulted in a "cost per pound" for cargo which was painfully high.

However, there was (and is!!!) no other system that could have matched the Shuttles ability to move very large and very specific payloads into orbit.  A "Cost-per-pound" on a payload of 40,000 lbs can not rationally be compared to a cost per lb of 2,600 lbs of payload per flight.

Also the STS (Shuttle) program was hammered by cost cuts that followed the initial announcement of the program even during the Nixon Administration.  Even *that* far back, there were fundamental design changes (SRB's [solid rocket boosters] & external fuel tank verses a 100% reusable launch assist vehicle) that *haunted* the program through its history.

What Spacex (and others) gives us is indeed the efficiency of "one roof/one builder" design and operation.

This was simply not possible during the shuttle era...  the ability for one technician (who has worked the production line) to assist in diagnosing a problem (under a vertical rocket on a launch pad) is an amazing gift that anyone in the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo/Shuttle program would have begged for.  

The ability to self test and analyze (250 times a second) an engine in the 1/2 second before "launch release" is beyond the capabilities of technology 20 years ago, much less 40. 

However, this is not a fault of NASA, or Congress, or any outside agency, but *all* of them.  The conflict between "long lead" purchases and designs that take decades (or longer) and a national ethos that requires quarterly budgets and stockholder (or political) mandates is the fundamental conflict of our nation. 

How do we possibly compete in this arena?  In all honesty...  poorly. 

How do we respond when one political administration requires a program with its own "vision" and the next administration is forced to respond and redirect under those provisions?  The fact that a mandate for the Orion (MPCV) was made by an administration and *zero* funding was provided for it to take place is often lost on folks. This is not a failure of NASA but of our political system as a whole.

*Any* public agency (or publicly traded company) is in that same position.  Could any American company that reports to an outside board of directors build something with a 10 or 20 year timeline?

Could they do it with safety as a paramount concern?

Could they execute each and every operation with exacting tolerance?  With the exception of current aircraft producers, I think that the answer would be "no".  Could they do it efficiently with maximum cost savings?  "Heck no".  Under military procurement requirements?  "(deleted) NO"

Add in the fact that *each* representative (Congress/Contracts administrator/procurement rep) in the process wants to see that their own district/state/party represented makes the situation painfully complex. 

The fact that *any* spacecraft is successfully flown under those restrictions is a testament to both the people of NASA and their ability to work with painfully complex and restrictive situations.

The spacecraft flown by NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena) are a prime example of taking the incredibly complex process and bringing it "in house".  Keeping as much of the process under "one roof" as possible is proof that the process *can* work.  JPL's history of unmanned space exploration is unmatched on the planet.  (I have met a few of their folks too). 

Every single time I have encountered a NASA (or Ex-NASA) employee (hundreds at this point), I have been amazed "beyond words" at their dedication to their craft, their intelligence and their "passion" for what they do.  This spans the entire line from press interactions with their senior management to trainers for the STS program and the folks that run their social media system (#nasasocial).  These are amazing people...  without exception.

My biggest concern about the end of the shuttle era is not the shuttle itself. It is dispersion of the "brain trust" of brilliant engineers and technicians that flew her from the Space Coast and Houston.  As these folks (a few I have met) scatter to the 4 winds, a irreplaceable *American* resource was lost.  The *people* of NASA are what kept spacecraft in the air.  Now the people of Spacex (and the other COTS providers) are tasked with the same thing.  There are obviously significant differences between NASA and its COTS providers.  The "how" things are done by NASA spaceflight has been a learning process as complex as the shuttle design itself. 

However the COTS providers do things *differently*.  They are largely privately operated and have an ability to function in near autonomy.  This gives them both a political advantage as well as technological advantage.  The integration of the COTS providers into the NASA system will be complex at times but if they are anything like the few I have met so far they are likely to be successful at their endeavors.

There have been lessons hard learned by NASA.  Everything I have seen so far leads me to believe that these lessons will not have to be "relearned" by Spacex and the other COTS providers.

However both the number of (former) NASA employees (including astronauts) that populate the COTS providers (see the "scattering of the brain trust" above) will likely eliminate that learning curve.  Even more inherent is the fact that the independent (COTS) launch providers have near autonomy to "make sure things are safe at all costs." (During early shuttle launches political pressure was exerted from outside the agency on many different levels... sometimes affecting safety.)

As Spacex continues to test fly their vehicles (remember, these are *test flights!*) more and more of each launch vehicle will be available for re-use, reducing costs and turnaround time even further.  The goal of a 100% reusable spacecraft is not just "within reach" but being designed and built by them right now.

Spacex and the COTS program are not a sign of NASA's demise but a giant billboard advertising their combined success.  

The ability to flow NASA developed technology "to the general public" is often the most forgotten part of their original mandate.

If there has been one failure by NASA it has been their failure to publicize the fact that "this technology was originally designed by/under a NASA contract."

Imagine blue NASA "meatball" stickers on car components, dishwashers, solar heaters...  your life would be more blue and red than an American Flag is now.

The fact that this sticker is not on your cellphone, on your car, on pacemakers & ventilators, on big rig trucks, aircraft wings, commercial flight software and literally millions of other devices that affect our lives everyday is often lost on most Americans, to the detriment of NASA funding.

on, "The People of NASA"--- Part 2

Over the thirty plus years of flight and nearly 40 years of design construction and engineering of the Space Shuttle Program tens of thousands of people have participated behind the scenes.  My #NASATweetup experience for STS-135 was unique.  I was not able to attend day one, but was able to experience the launch from both sides of the curtain by attending day two of the event and having several other days to meet informally with NASA staff members at various locations.

I informally met my first NASA employees while flying into Florida as a large group boarded the aircraft during one of many stops that day.  They were reluctant to talk especially on record but eventually began to talk freely and without reservation when I assured that I would not attribute towards them.  I will respect that "off the record" conversation except to say that they all knew that they had already been laid off or were about to be laid off in the coming days.  They were still passionately dedicated and totally professional.  Their job was to make the most complex machine ever built by humankind launch safely on time and return it (and its occupants) safely.  To do this they had be ready to answer any one of thousands of questions instantly.  A living brain trust of over 200 combined human years of Shuttle flight support.  Please understand that this was my *first* exposure to NASA manned flight personnel that week.  

The conversations were varied and passionate.  My own misunderstandings of the causes of the end of the Shuttle era were gently corrected and additional information was supplied.  I had 3 hours to talk informally with people at a level that would rarely be granted interview status by PAO's.  There was no spin.  There was even less filtering.  I was given honest answers from people that had done this job, for many years.

My next visit with NASA personnel was an even less formal manner.  The conversation spanned many hours.  I learned details about manned spaceflight that I had never dreamed of knowing.  The complexities as well as the "real life" challenges as well as the absurdly mundane aspects of it.  This unique group of individuals spoke honestly with humor that belied the amazing level of complexity of their jobs.  There were thousands of hours of experience at that table.  All were clearly passionate about the safety of the crew and their well being.  They were *still* supportive about the space program as a whole.  100 years of NASA experience sat at that table.  They were no less passionate on that day (the day they were laid off) then they were on their first day of work.  Caring people working to specifications that were almost inhuman, brought me closer to the humanity of NASA manned space flight than I ever dreamed possible.

There were "on-the-record" conversations as well.  A group of STS training officers spoke of the trials of training a crew and creating the potential for *every* eventuality.  Of the humor and dedication of all those that supported the space program.  Of *family* bonded by a common task.  They also talked of details of a job that they were just as passionate about on day 8,760 as they were on day one.  I have learned from my previous Tweetup event at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that the people of NASA are unique.  They are often humble & quiet.  Often they are the last to talk about what they do.  However with gentle prodding they will sometimes describe their duties yet appear almost ashamed at the spotlight.  The details had me on the edge of my seat.  A coaster, signed by each, is now a treasured possession.  (thanks guys!).

The team that is NASA is not just the heroes and legends wearing blue jumpsuits in front of the cameras.  It is the people that we never see on camera.  It is the thousands of people that work on systems too complex to conceive.   Some of these people are working with technology created before their own birth.  The shuttle fleet was aging.  I struggle with the demise of the program but accept both the budget constraints, aging technology and limited resources behind it.

I struggle more, with the lack of an *immediate* replacement for American manned spaceflight and my perception of the lack of a "master plan",  than any other aspect of this time for NASA.  Yet, I *still* have to hold up the folks that made her fly, and I hold high hopes for the future of those at NASA, and those that will transition to other programs and civilian work.

The glory days of Apollo are long gone.  NASA struggles with budgets and mandates that change as quickly as a projected presentation in Washington DC.

The public and politicians expect miracles and instant gratification.  Oftentimes the results of this process appear disjointed and chaotic because of change-orders that arrive one upon the other never allowing one set to be completed before a redesign is ordered from "on high" at Capitol Hill or elsewhere.  These programs take time to conceive and engineer, then build and test.  

The Apollo program was audacious in its lofty goals with expenditures in excess of anything previously conceived.  It cost three lives --often forgotten, and accomplished so much.  Computers, cellphones and network technology.   Nearly everything I see in my office is a direct result of NASA's invention, and the technologies it co-produced.  

We forget that the real gifts of that time were not just the landings on the moon but the technology spinoffs that are still with us today.  That simple computer with a billionth the memory of the machine I am typing on kept two men safe on their first moon landing despite being overworked (1202 alarm) and tasked with so much.  This technology combined with a crews skill and concentration created those miracles on the moon.

A few months ago my life was saved with NASA technology.  Only looking through my NASA tweetup "goodiebag" did I see a rendition of a hospital room and the dozens of pieces of hardware commonplace in every Emergency Room.  Almost every item that had been used on me, was in that picture and had been developed or engineered by NASA.  I was surprised and thankful.  

I still am.

The shuttle program was less lofty than Apollo, both figuratively and *literally*. 

It gave us the international space station, whose operations are now funded until the year 2020.  It gave us the Hubble Telescope that sees quite literally to the beginning to time.  The Shuttle/Hubble followup missions have kept the telescope functional and updated and will ensure its operation for an additional decade. It is still described as the "single most important scientific instrument ever created by man" according to the scientists that use it.  

With the exception of two tragedies that will forever haunt those that witnessed, worked on and supported those launches, the STS program has been flawless.  Nobody that lived at those times will forget those moments, nor will those that worked on the program.   Yet the *people* of NASA redesigned re-engineered and re-purposed themselves creating essentially three separate shuttle programs.  During each phase NASA learned lessons both technological and procedural which increased safety for all the following missions.

On a personal note seeing a launch in person especially from a location like the Kennedy Press Center is life changing.  One cannot be anything but awed, as the powerful main engines start and flex back.  They rock on gimbals and rise to full thrust.   Still silent from our vantage point, the twin rocket boosters "throw" the vehicle and reddish orange tank... off the pad.  It is lost from sight in under a minute.  Halfway though that rise, the sound finally hits you, at the press center.  You *feel* it, as well as sense with your ears.  The ignited Solid Rocket Boosters are nearly as bright as two separate suns.  The sound delayed by distance rises to a crescendo that is awe inspiring.  There is no way to duplicate the experience.  If more of America had the opportunity to witness this in person I doubt they would have let the program be cancelled.  In fact I believe they would already be clamoring for a replacement.  I spoke with people that had seen over a dozen launches.  Each was awed, on their 10th, perhaps even more than their first.  I am told, "it takes a few, before you can grasp all that you are witnessing".

This is the real gift of a NASA Tweetup event.  We get to experience this awe and power, meet the humans that make it work and  then get to blog-tweet-post-photograph and talk about what we have witnessed...  Those friends tell *their friends* and word of mouth passes the experience electronically to many millions of minds.  The fact that our Twitter based reports (and sometimes our questions!) are not filtered gives us the ability to uniquely describe in a completely human manner, that which cannot be packaged by a PR firm or by a "professional" reporter

One of the most touching moments was the sign show by the closeout crew witnessed by nearly a millon people watching NASA TV via streaming media as well as many tens of millions on traditional media around the globe.  Those that saw it in the Tweetup tent were overwhelmed by the emotion of that moment.  We could see how much they cared and were thankful for the opportunity to support those who flew.  Thanking the American Public directly was an amazing gesture.

On behalf of America, thank *you* for the privilege to witness it.  While I am at it I need to thank the people of NASA, for the work you have done for these many decades.  I may not ever meet you, but understand that this thanks is not dimmed by the lack of a handshake.  Your passion and dedication show in every successful mission.

The shuttles are powerful elegant machines but are also infinitely complex.  Seeing the culmination of this program is heart breaking for me.  I have to thank this Presidential Administration for funding a few more flights to finish the program out and support both the station and the science that it carries.

However, the tasks that the space shuttles were designed for are largely completed.  

Private enterprise, who had always *built* Americas space hardware appears poised to actually begin flying manned missions as well.  The systems that were so infinitely complex have been simplified by the needs of private enterprise.  Technology that was unthinkable in 1970's when the Presidential order to create the shuttle program was issued is now commonplace.  The space program will continue with the aid of these technologies.

The largest problem I heard repeated by my informal conversations was that the "requirements for change, are impossible to react to."  "We finish one set of change orders and another completely different mandate throws out the entire game plan".  Another phrase was "engineering by Power-point presentation"  The demands for change on systems that take a decade to build have whipsawed both engineers and NASA Administrators.  This is not unique to manned spaceflight but the NASA post-shuttle missions seem particularly plagued by it according to those I have spoken to.  Nearly all echoed the same concern, from different perspectives.

I see a great future, because we can now focus on moving beyond LEO and the workhorse tasks performed by the shuttle can be done by private industry.   Perhaps they can even do so cheaper and more efficiently.  I have high hopes that NASA's oversight will maintain standards of safety for all parties in the private enterprise system.  One can hope that a few of those thousands of supporting heroes will find work in the private enterprise projects and be willing to come back when NASA resumes manned flight again.

One can hope that changes to mandates and increased stability will enable NASA's most valuable asset ----its people---- from support personell to Administrator to rise from this time of turbulance and perceived indecision, and create a unified plan for the *next* 30 years of manned space flight.

In short, my deepest thanks to the NASA team, for 30 years of amazing vision, powerful spectacle, and "humanity" that is reflected in every aspect of this program.  Also my thanks to the entire NASA Tweetup team who have given me three amazing experiences, the @JPLTweetup @SOFIAtelescope (infrared airborne observatory) and the STS-135 launch in a nearly surreal and often overwhelming 6 weeks.  

Please understand that I hold *all* of you (and "the people of NASA") in highest respect and will continue to do so.

-- 

Thank you for your time, 

@THwrex

Journey to STS-135

It is the night before my flight... to KSC.  Mine is a Cinderella story at best.

I am am not a "Tweetup".  Yet.

I went from one of the 5600 applicants, to  #nasawaitup (a formal wait list for the twitter event).  Then I progressed to #nasastandby last week, a *much* smaller group, I was told.  The formal clearance process, to get me "on base" has been completed.  During last week, the wait list got shorter as more people were picked up... from all over the world.

In a way, my chances got better.  Less people on the "standby" list, improves my chances, right?  There can only be *so* many, promoted from Standby to @tweetup status however, and barring injury, illness, or transportation issues, those few remaining slots appear full now.

As difficult as it is for me to imagine, there is a badge, with my name on it, waiting for me... seemingly, within arms reach.  How do I deal with that temptation?  Only if an email comes in...  or a phone rings.

I obtained "causeway" tickets, that get me within a few miles of the entrance of the press center.  As crazy as it sounds, if the phone rings, *I could walk* to the entrance gate, obtain my pass, and beg a ride, to the press center...

I hope, I hope, I hope. 

As I had to remind my fellow "standby" folks, a "maybe" is always better than a "no" or "not this time".

So, I am flying to Florida, on a leftover mileage ticket, from my many trips to and from Phoenix.  I am buying  a night in a hotel, (my only hotel night) at half the cost of my housing for the entire trip.  The remainder of my time is spent staying with other Tweetup and Alumni folks at a rental house... I am spending an additional 6 days away from my wife and step daughter.

I am looking *really* hard, at a host of video gear, hardware and potential purchases.

But I am *not there yet*.

Let me say this, for my own sake, and for the world to hear.  I cannot begin the thank the folks at NASA who have presented this opportunity for others, in the past, including myself.  I have journeyed once before to see the big show, that was John Glenn's second trip to space.  I took hundreds of pictures, recorded audio, and frankly enjoyed the hell out of myself.  If that is what I get, I am fine with that.

I still hold hope, for that last minute phone call.  That upgrade, from #nasastandby to @nasatweetup.  I have packed gear and materials, just in case.  I have my digital camera, my venerable film hardware, a microphone and adapter cables, (just in case).  One person asked, "does anyone have any "pro" recording equipment.

Yep.

A single microphone to record the shock waves, and a 75 foot XLR extension, just in case.

Because of the nature of my ticket, travel tomorrow, will be an "all day" trip, leaving at noon, and arriving after 10:30 PM, even if all things go without a hitch...  and then travel to the coast, and meeting up with my housemates for the weeks lodging.

So, here is to safe travels, for myself, and many thousands of others, and of course, a small group of four heroes.  Lets not forget the risk they take, and that, which we (mostly) take for granted these days.

@thwrex

My STS-95 Journey

Please note:  This needs some editing for continuity.  Will clean it up tonight... and this header will disappear.

About 6 weeks before the STS-95 launch, my boss, at a small web-casting company, said, "hey, you want to work the shuttle launch?". I replied "yes", figuring I would be back at the studio doing a down link, like all the other web events that month...


Then he asked for my social security number, drivers license. (blink)


A week later, he had a short NASA questionnaire to fill out, regarding past history. "KSC access credential application" or some such. I would not know, whether or not I passed the investigation, until I arrived at the Cape, I was told. 

Suddenly, it was "real". I might actually get to go to KSC, 

It got more real, in the coming 3 weeks. Frighteningly so. 

Pre-production. Gear checkouts. Backhaul, (we used Satellite, to a Webcast hub in CA, and ISDN to backhaul 2 origination "streams" just in case).

Finding a local video crew. 

Finding a local crew that had not been busted for pot smoking...

Finding a local crew that had not been busted at all... and might pass the background investigation.


I spent a week, finalizing travel documents, paper tickets, and last minute purchases. I knew nothing about the trip, the cape, or the environment, except that Sen John Glenn was going up, for the second time, and it was a *Big* deal. There were going to be more press people at that launch, since the first one, (or the one after Challenger, for that matter).

Every living formal president was going to be there, standing on top of the VAB. 

There were a half dozen check points, some very subtle:

(Pro Tip: When the man with the machine gun, says "stop" by waving his hand, don't "wave back" like my producer did...and blast through the checkpoint at 75 MPH, while talking on his cell phone...It took him nearly 3 hours the following day, while dogs and men in uniform, searched his truck, Most Thoroughly they searched it... while crews from CNN, ABC, and NBC cameras rolled. He was made "the example" for the "Security precautions news report).


Now, I am Mostly an audio guy. 

Mostly an audio guy, means that I have a simple 4 channel mixer that leaves one hand free. This is very helpful at concerts. Also, The Oscars, NBA finals, Emmy's, various Red Carpet events, a little gig for the CA Browncoats... say 3,000 gigs, over 15 years, and another hundred or so, for my friends, on a volunteer basis.

Why do I keep a hand free? 

Because, that second hand, usually has a camera in it. 

At the time, it had my Film EOS-1 Body, and as a backup my venerable AE1-Program.

Both camera bodies had adapters for the "Extra lens" a friend supplied me on loan.  He ran a camera store..

http://www.meade.com/product_pages/etx_series/etx_series.php


With the the camera set to help the "crippled" lens, I had gotten a dozen or more test shots that I was happy with, by fading evening light. One exposure was perfect, over 4 seconds... orange red hues, brilliant whites.

(There is this little rise, in the area, clock, at the press center. One of the folks in blue jumpsuits, walked me over and said, this is where he likes to shoot from.   It frames the pad nicely, and the palm trees give a nice depth of field. It is just to the left of the clock, but in front of it, on the grass, but close to the edge of the paved press parking lot)... More importantly, the rise gives you just enough lift, so you can see the entire shuttle, pad and crawler, which is usually hidden by ground clutter, on the other side of the water.)


I had earlier dropped both my tripods, set them up, and sand bagged my hardware, just in case. I left my cameras mounted answering questions, even from the Pros...     Nice to see a guy with 40 years of shooting say, "never thought of that... can I take a few shots?"

Every one of the 2500 press people was now my best friend.  

Why?

Well, I had a telescope to look at the shuttle, hard mounted, on a 20lb tripod.

Also, because I had "stayed over" the night before. 

Most of the webcast crew were in their twenties. They had no idea or less interest in the actual event. Half did not even understand who Neil and Buzz were, (FYI: They were our "clients" who had hired us to help promote "Space Adventures")

Frankly my crew looked stunned, when I suggested that a few night shots, would be cool, and that I might stay over...

(The other guys in the crew had this bar that they wanted to go to... really, a "Bar" verses spending a night at KSC?)

So, sitting under a tarp, just after midnight, mosquitoes humming and actually bashing into the blue fabric, I heard voices. "Grab your camera, the bus is coming around".

I found myself standing looking at a bunch of middle aged men. Middle aged men with cameras and lenses that were thousands of dollars more than I could afford. Some fat, Some thin. One guy with a 30 foot boom, remotes and a pair of perfectly matched Nikon F1's.  

If he used zoom lenses, he extended it out to 60 feet or more.

He waved at me... "you coming? Get your gear!". 

Big smile on my face. Quickly loading up another 30 rolls of film. (Kodak had graciously loaned Cape Kennedy a pair of special events trucks. One E6 and one C41. Film and developing were free. 13,000 rolls were shot and processed on site by delighted amateurs and professionals alike).  Shoot 10 rolls, deliver them to the truck, get another ten, your negatives are ready when you get back 20 minutes later.

So, we rolled out to the closest viewing point of the pad, perhaps 300 yards away. Even with my widest lens, I could get an engine cone, or a cowling, or looking nearly strait up... an elongated shuttle.  

So close, it was impossible to take in.

The guy with the boom, was from Mattel. Mattel had just purchased the "View master" patents. He was shooting the first original View master disks in nearly 20 years. He had been shooting professionally, longer than I had been alive, by 20 years. Big goofy grin on his face... two assistants, wrangling a hinged beast, for "stereo-opticon" photos.  

Another middle aged guy... points to me, "hey, get the shot of me will you?". Badge said, "Reuters". Another, "NY Times", All wearing the same yellow green laminated badges I was. Each with the STS-95 logo on it, and "Discovery" in the Background. 

We were family... professionalism out the window... we were taking (and Trading!) the shots *we* wanted to take, for *us*, not for work.

There were giddy calls, of "check this out!" and suddenly 35 shutters would snap, from behind a rise, or next to a patch of grass.

Hundreds and hundreds of frames that night, as the moon rose, fell behind the ship, perfectly back lighting the image.

One (very polite) reminder from our press attendant as I backed into the sand to get a better shot: "don't go off the blacktop. There are things in the weeds that you don't want to meet". (I was later told that armed troops had secured the area, in addition to ten foot alligators.)

Next stop, the beach, on the other side of the pad, flood lights and now the moon, are perfectly backlighting the shots. We are farther back now, so *good* photographers, could push their depth of field, and get a shot of a person, with the shuttle framed and lit behind... Perfect images, even with my camera. "Here, try mine! ($14,000 worth of glass passed into my hand).

I remember clearly that my legs started to itch. Little creatures biting me... Sand Fleas, I was told. I had on flip flops, and shorts, in the 85 degree night.

Sometime around 8:00 AM, I finally put my head down for an hours nap... having been driven to more than a dozen "photo op" sites, between midnight and sunrise. There were a fist full of holds that day, some programmed, some not. This was our second "attempt" day. Eventually, with a Burst of noise, that was "felt" as much as heard, Discovery, rose into the sky. 

With my ETX objective, and my spare camera body, (the EOS locked up, one minute before launch). I framed, manually focused, shot, and repeated the process 34 times, missing a perfect frame, only once. It was nearly 2 minutes into the flight that my telescope, even saw anything but the actual ship itself... The raw negatives were digitally copied by the guys in the Kodak Truck.  

------------

So, some thoughts to you folks, who are about to head out, if I may be so bold:

Bring the best camera you can afford, borrow a spare, bring dozen(s) of spare batteries, and a power strip, just in case you find extra power, or an unused outlet.

Bring bug spray. 

Wear socks and real shoes.

Long pants. 

A *good* flashlight.

Take *every* opportunity that is offered that you can.

Don't go to your hotel, if you have the opportunity to "stay over". 
A Small tent, light sleeping bag, carefully tucked away... subtle is good.

See what is offered, be thankful and gracious. 

Get Bix to take your picture... He is pretty good at it. (Take his picture too.)   I doubt he remembers me, but he forgets very few people.  

Talk to the folks in the blue jump suits... they are as excited for you to be there, as you are to be at the Cape yourself.   



Learn their names, missions, who and what they studied...in school, or for their flights. They are an amazing resource, both historically, and logistically. You will probably be outnumbered by them at times... don't be afraid, they are people too... (they also know where the bathrooms are located, I found).

Don't even *try* to be aloof.  Trained journalists with 30 years of experience nearly pee their pants, on their 10th launch.  You won't fool anyone... (my dad worked 8 for CBS).

Don't be afraid to "ask"... but always ask "permission". 

Buy your mission patches at the gift shop (early!). Get a hat too..  I'll spot you 20 bucks if you get me a patch too.

Post Office!  Get your "first day" cover envelopes.  Hand Cancelled on launch day, at the KSC center.  The gift shop has them going back decades as well.  

If you can find an old USPS space stamp, (the old Flat Rate envelope stamps had a shuttle image on them), mail it from KSC, and it will be canceled with a unique stamp, only on that day, from that location, for that mission.  

Envelopes are in the gift shop.  Sometimes.

Bring a box of plain white ones, and a roll of plain stamps.  Mail history, to your friends and family.  Address them in advance.  

If you find that old engineer that sells "launch team" pins. Be happy to pay for them, if he offers... but be subtle. (have cash, about 10 bucks), just like your pin from the gift shop, but "launch team" on the rim.

Bring a film can to store those pins. They like to run away, or get lost in pockets. 

Bring something to offer in kind... something unique to the event, even if you make it yourself.  Get a crew of Astros to wear a half dozen "Jayne Hats" on camera.

Take pictures in front of the clock. All the cool folks do it.    For 50 years.

Talk to the guys at the front corner (Press lot, space #1), from the local radio station. Their station, has not missed a "live broadcast" of a launch since Apollo. They might offer you some hints as well. There is a reason why they have space #1, in the press lot. Never missed a flight I was told.

Maybe you might see some folks that you recognize from the history books. Bring something to have them sign. Something simple. Maybe even a napkin from the KSC commissary. J.Glenn, N. Armstrong... you never know who you might end up talking with. 

I was stunned when I realized who I was holding a camera for... so he could take a shot with a dozen school kids.

But even if you don't have the energy to haul 50 lbs of gear, build a webcast team from scratch, find (beg, borrow, steal) bandwidth to get your story out. Remember to record it the best way you can... digital tape, a hero camera, your old "point and shoot", whatever you choose to use. 

However, I'll suggest one additional medium. With pen and paper in hand, sit and *write it down*, before you leave. A lab book and pen, and maybe some tape, for a few unique objects. Your kids will appreciate it. So will theirs...

I am envious of you folks, from a myriad walks of life. I cannot say how much I enjoyed my 3 days at KSC, their gracious hospitality, and the "adventure of a lifetime".   Frankly, The words fail me, all these years later.

God speed, to you and the crew you are there to see off.  Safe travels to all.

Regards, 

@thwrex


P.S. I can be on a plane in an hour, and still have my old laminate...

P.P.S:  If you really love me, you will go get a "KSC" hat, that looks vaguely like an AC/DC logo from the 80's for me from the gift shop. The venue kind of "defines" rock and roll, so to speak.