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T O P I C R E V I E WthecollectorYesterday, I was informed that I will be witnessing the STS-102 launch from VIP seats at Kennedy Space Center. What a trill! My first Launch. The launch is schedule on Thursday, March 8. My plane back leaves the Cape around 6:00 a.m. Monday, March 12 so it has 3 days to scrub! Wish me well, as I sure hope to see the "Leonardo" module with the crew of Discovery blast off. The school has been kind enough to excuse my absences for the trip and I took off work, so I am good to go. Anyone else attending this launch? Good Luck 102!RyanthecollectorP.S. I need an unsigned photo of Story Musgrave, preferably on an EVA but any would do. He will be speaking at the Astro. Encouter while we are there, and I would like to try to snag an autograph. If anyone has one they would be willing to let go fairly cheap (the trip is kind of expensive all by itself!) I would appreciate it! Thanks!!!!!RyantegwilymGood luck! I hope you get to see the launch. I was there last month to see the STS-98 launch on the 19th, but it was delayed right before I left Seattle. Arrgghh!!!I also met Story Musgrave, but he wasn't signing autographs. Maybe you will get lucky! I did get my picture taken with him though. See my web page: www.geocities.com/tegwilym/ksc I have already decided that I will try again to go to another launch next winter - after I have some vacation time built up from my new job! :-)------------------GLYNNI met Story last July at the Encounter and was so enthralled went back the following week to see him again. He had crew litho's from four of his missions and would sign any you took as well, I even had one signed for a friend. Great guy and a pleasure to listen to.thecollectorIs there any way to know which astronauts will actually be on hand at the launch? I would be willing to be Story will be there since he is speaking at A.E. that week, but past that, I have no clue who to expect to be there!Robert PearlmanIt is customary (as I understand it) for the next crew due to fly to attend the launch. Beyond that, NASA does issue a list of VIPs attending the launch a few days before to the press. This release is posted to the KSC website, though it is sometimes difficult to find. Bob M Have a great time, Ryan! You mention thatyou'll be viewing the launch from the VIPseats. By that, I would think that you'd beat the main NASA Guest-VIP Viewing site atthe Saturn V/Apollo Center, less than 4miles from the pads. And be on tne look-out for astronauts! AsRobert mentioned, it's customary for the nextcrew to be at KSC for the launch, but theyhave several choice locations to view launches from, such as on top of the VAB! Butthe Saturn V/Apollo Center/NASA Guest viewing site is popular with the astronauts. I was there for STS-101 & while I missed thelaunch because of 3 straight days of scrubsbecause of high wind, I did meet & get autographs from 5 astronauts during the countdowns: John Herrington, Andy Thomas, KenCameron, Sam Durrance & Bill Gregory. Gregorywas there relating to his affiliation withHoneywell & Cameron was there because of being the next to appear at the Visitor's Center "Astronaut Appearance." The day beforeI met & got an autograph from Mike Mullane atthe Astronaut Encounter. So that was a totalof 6 & the number varies. For STS-87 I met &got autographs from 11. For STS-83 I saw onlythree. Be sure to be prepared with photos or coversfor them to sign, plus a clip board for themto sign on. Some will be wearing the NASAblue jump suits & will stick out like a sorethumb, but others will be wearing regularclothing, so you'll have to be able to identify those. Last time for me, Cameron,Durrance & Gregory all had on regular clothing & I was proud that I was able to pick them out from the crowd. Good luck - Bob thecollectorThe letter I have from the NASA PAO only says that "from [the NASA Administrator's briefing] you will be taken to the VIP viewing site at Banana Cree, just 2 1/2 miles from the launch pad, to witness the spectacular launch of the Space Shuttle." So not very specific on where we will be, but as long as I am somewhere close enough to see the shuttle, I am happy!
Ryan
I have already decided that I will try again to go to another launch next winter - after I have some vacation time built up from my new job! :-)
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Beyond that, NASA does issue a list of VIPs attending the launch a few days before to the press. This release is posted to the KSC website, though it is sometimes difficult to find.
And be on tne look-out for astronauts! AsRobert mentioned, it's customary for the nextcrew to be at KSC for the launch, but theyhave several choice locations to view launches from, such as on top of the VAB! Butthe Saturn V/Apollo Center/NASA Guest viewing site is popular with the astronauts.
I was there for STS-101 & while I missed thelaunch because of 3 straight days of scrubsbecause of high wind, I did meet & get autographs from 5 astronauts during the countdowns: John Herrington, Andy Thomas, KenCameron, Sam Durrance & Bill Gregory. Gregorywas there relating to his affiliation withHoneywell & Cameron was there because of being the next to appear at the Visitor's Center "Astronaut Appearance." The day beforeI met & got an autograph from Mike Mullane atthe Astronaut Encounter. So that was a totalof 6 & the number varies. For STS-87 I met &got autographs from 11. For STS-83 I saw onlythree.
Be sure to be prepared with photos or coversfor them to sign, plus a clip board for themto sign on. Some will be wearing the NASAblue jump suits & will stick out like a sorethumb, but others will be wearing regularclothing, so you'll have to be able to identify those. Last time for me, Cameron,Durrance & Gregory all had on regular clothing & I was proud that I was able to pick them out from the crowd.
Good luck -
Bob
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