STS-133 Launch

[Moonliner]

So far everything looks good for the final launch (http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html) of Space Shuttle Discovery tomorrow afternoon.

I fly down to Orlando this evening and board my bus to the cape at 6:00am tomorrow. If the shuttle launches on Thursday I'll get the added bonus of a day at Universal IOA on Friday.

I leave right after work making this officially the longest work day on record since June 6th 1944.

I'll be uploading photos live to my STS-133 (http://s688.photobucket.com/albums/vv243/stevesphotobook/STS133/) album. It just has a test shot of my Blue-tooth headset for the moment but assuming I have signal at the cape it will start filling in tomorrow.

[Disneyphile]

Awesome! Have a wonderful time! :)

[Moonliner]

*sigh*

I am at the airport. 2.5hr no reason given delay. Which puts me in Orlando after my car rental desk closes. No good vacation goes unpunsihed.

[innerSpaceman]

That's rad. I tried a few times to see the Shuttle Launch when I was in Florida, but it was always delayed.

Finally launched while I was at Epcot, and it was neet to see a spaceship trail from FutureWorld as a vehicle blasted into Earth orbit.


Be sure to post photos and your impressions. I am so envious.

[BarTopDancer]

So jealous. I really should remember to either get up and watch or set my DVR to record.

Have a wonderful time!

[€uroMeinke]

My last chance was to see Apollo 13 launch. Saw the Saturn V being assembled but we moved before it went up. That thing was huge.

[cirquelover]

I hope you made it out of the airport and that the rest of your jaunt goes smoothly.

[Moonliner]

I hope you made it out of the airport and that the rest of your jaunt goes smoothly.

Not yet. Another hour. About the time I should have been landing

[alphabassettgrrl]

Stinks about your flight being delayed but squee for space shuttle launching! I hope everything from here on out goes beautifully and you get to see her goooooooooooooooo!!!!

[BarTopDancer]

What time (Pacific) is it supposed to launch? I'm going to beg my boss to unblock some sites so I can stream it.

[Moonliner]

1:50pm.

Made it to my room. Did a bedbug check. Looks safe.

Goodnight.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Glad you arrived safely!

[Moonliner]

Hot damn! I made the bus to the cape! Unlike a lot of very pissed off people waiting/hoping for another bus.

[BarTopDancer]

WOOHOO!

[Not Afraid]

10
9
8
7
.......

[Ghoulish Delight]

Commander is on board. Poor bastard has to sit there on his back for > 2hrs before launch.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmm, they just gave a T-1hr, 36 minutes. Seems that they've moved launch up an hour, if anyone was planning on tuning in.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Okay, I apprently I just don't understand Nasa math. They just announced T-30 minutes, 90 minutes until planned launch.

So it's T-30 minutes until there's 60 minutes. Ooooookay.

[CoasterMatt]

I believe there are 3 "stops" in the countdown.
I went to 2 launches, one of Discovery, and one of Atlantis.

It's beyond awesome, and I'm terribly jealous of Moonliner today.

[Ghoulish Delight]

So there are, one is occurring right now. T-20 minutes and holding.

[Cynthia]

I have been (dragged by husband) to NM Museum of Space History in Alamogordo NM (where you also can visit the Trinity site- done that too) &
NASA: Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville AL . . . Oh yes and the Air and
Space Museum in San Diego - said husband is listening/watching the count now, envying a friend of his who is there.
yes, I married a nerd ; )

[blueerica]

Hot Streaming Launch Action!!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I will consider it a life failure to have never made it to a launch, as it seems inevitable now that I won't :(

[blueerica]

It's GO! (Except for that stupid "range issue"... BOOO...)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Those range dorks have 12 minutes to get that screen to lower!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Woohoo!

[blueerica]

Wow. Getting excited.

[Alex]

I've reached an agreement with NASA to never again watch even recorded video of a shuttle launch since the one and only time I ever explicitly sought one out was when we watched from Cocoa Beach and it proved to be the Columbia's last flight.

Who'd have guessed a bunch of scientists and engineers would be so superstitious.

[BarTopDancer]

I will consider it a life failure to have never made it to a launch, as it seems inevitable now that I won't :(
Same here. Though there is a tinytiny chance we can see it land. My co-worker is keeping an eye on it and we all plan on calling out/booking it for Edwards (yes, a 2+ hour 'book it trip') if it happens.

[Moonliner]

WOOOOOOT!!!!

That was a religious experience!

Launch photo on its way to the album

[katiesue]

Yay!

[mousepod]

So happy you got to experience that, Moony!

[BarTopDancer]

WOOHOO!

[€uroMeinke]

So, who wants to got see the landing?

[Kevy Baby]

If it is a weekend and at Edwards, I am in

Too much of a long-shot for me weekdays and Florida and New Mexico ain't gonna happen.

[BarTopDancer]

So, who wants to got see the landing?

My co-worker is keeping an eye on it and we all plan on calling out/booking it for Edwards (yes, a 2+ hour 'book it trip') if it happens.

I do I do!

[Not Afraid]

Moonie, I'm so glad you got to experience this!!!

I'm game for the landing - depending on what is happening in my life at the moment.

I was racking my braing trying to remember where that great view of Edwards AFB is. I KNOW I've been on a hill overlooking it. Now....where is that???










Oh.






It's in Soaring.

[BarTopDancer]

How about a live stream of the landing ON Sorin?

[alphabassettgrrl]

You got to see it - cool! Thanks for the pictures!

I'll keep an eye out for the landing. Would be fun to have a group field trip!

[Moonliner]

I was at a Edwards for a landing. I wonder if Mrs moonie would divorce me if I came out for this one.

Today's agenda: universal IOA with a special guest star later in the day. Photos are starting to stream now. Same album as the original post.

[Moonliner]

Hogsmead. Yo Disney, You got served.

[Moonliner]

Butterbeer. YUM.

[Kevy Baby]

I was at a Edwards for a landing. I wonder if Mrs moonie would divorce me if I came out for this one.I don't believe this one is scheduled to land at Edwards - they only use Edwards as a backup.

There hasn't been a landing at Edwards since STS-128 (Discovery) on September 11, 2009.

[Moonliner]

I don't believe this one is scheduled to land at Edwards - they only use Edwards as a backup.

There hasn't been a landing at Edwards since STS-128 (Discovery) on September 11, 2009.

Damn. So I only have to go as far as Orlando? Hummmmm.......

[Moonliner]

The trip is at its end. I am at the airport for my flight home. I feel for whoever sits next to me. I smell like Jurassic park water that's been soaked in and baked in the sun for hours.

[Kevy Baby]

Damn. So I only have to go as far as Orlando? Hummmmm.......Don't get me wrong: I would love to see you.

Maybe you can use the excuse of coming out "just in case" they land at Edwards.

[Not Afraid]

And, if not, we can ride Soarin' and pretend.

[BarTopDancer]

They should update it with the shuttle instead of the jets. They already have jets in the next clip.

[flippyshark]

Yay - I got to see the Moonliner again!

Not So Yay - I had only a few very quick hours to spend.

And yes, we were both thoroughly baptized in the Jurassic Park waters!

Since it worked before:

Hurry back!

[Moonliner]

I've been trying to get a glimpse of the shuttle in orbit since the launch but the weather here has not been cooperating. Until today. Yea! I have a chance at 6:57pm to see both it and the International Space Station.

If any of you SoCal'ers would like to step out and have a look here are your chances (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=California&city=Anaheim):

SHUTTLE
Mon Mar 07/07:02 PM 2min duration 19 deg max elev 11 above NNW 19 above NNE
Tue Mar 08/07:26 PM 2min duration 45 deg max elev 11 above NW 45 above NNW
Wed Mar 09/06:13 PM 3min duration 19 deg max elev 15 above N 10 above E
Wed Mar 09/07:48 PM < 1min duration 21 deg max elev 19 above W 21 above WSW
Thu Mar 10/06:33 PM 5min duration 64 deg max elev 11 above NW 12 above SE

For anyone not in DC or LA, you can check here (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/) for local opportunities.

[Moonliner]

Boo ya!

That was too cool. I took Headliner and Moonie Jr. out to see the Shuttle and Station flyby. A great night for it! See it if you can!