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Forum:	Space Events & Happenings
Topic:	6/29: Space Shuttle Atlantis Grand Opening (KSC)

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Your Reply: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	[QUOTE]Originally posted by KSCartist: [B]Thanks to the kindness of friends, I'll be able to attend the Atlantis opening day festivities at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They are going to be keeping an eye on me so that I don't leave on a stretcher. :) If I get tired, I'll park myself in a shady spot and watch the madness around me. I hope to see a bunch of cS'ers who are in town for the event. I'll have some special patches with me for those interested. [/B][/QUOTE]
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<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="600"><TR><td bgcolor="#000000"><TABLE BORDER=0 cellpadding=4 border=0 cellspacing=1 WIDTH="100%"><TR bgcolor="#660000"><TD COLSPAN=2><CENTER>T O P I C     R E V I E W</CENTER></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announcement <BLOCKQUOTE>Space Shuttle Atlantis to Celebrate Grand Opening at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex June 29<div align="justify">The world's most comprehensive attraction devoted to the space shuttle opens Saturday, June 29 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. <A HREF="http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum41/HTML/000412.html">Space Shuttle Atlantis</A> is the new, 90,000-square-foot, $100 million home of the priceless, historic spacecraft that tells the incredible story of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program. The Visitor Complex will open at 9 a.m. and grand opening events will take place throughout the day.More than 30 Atlantis astronauts will participate in the grand opening of Space Shuttle Atlantis, which will offer guests the public's first access to the attraction. From only a few feet away, guests will be awed and inspired with an up-close, 360-degree view of Atlantis. The shuttle is dramatically showcased as if it were in orbit — as only astronauts have had a chance to see it. Atlantis is elevated 30 feet off the ground and rotated at a 43.21-degree angle with its payload bay doors open and Canadarm (robotic arm) extended.Space Shuttle Atlantis features more than 60 interactive, touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators inviting guests to "be the astronaut," bringing to life the people, passion and patriotism behind the Space Shuttle Program as well as the complexity of the engineering marvel that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and built the International Space Station.Space Shuttle Atlantis grand opening festivities are included in regular Visitor Complex admission: $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11.</div></BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>Additional details will be forthcoming, but what is known now about the Space Shuttle Atlantis opening: <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>An evening celebration will be held on June 28. NASA TV will provide live coverage.<LI>The opening ceremonies on June 29 will begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT. NASA TV will provide live coverage.</UL></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Hart Sastrowardoyo</TD><TD>Let the speculating begin as to who will be there! My list includes: <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Bo Bobko, STS-51-J <LI>Charlie Bolden, STS-45 <LI>Sandy Magnus, STS-135 <LI>Chris Ferguson, STS-135 <LI>Doug Hurley, STS-135 <LI>Rex Walheim, STS-135 <LI>Janet Kavandi, STS-104 <LI>Eileen Collins, STS-84 <LI>Steve Lindsey, STS-104 <LI>Jerry Ross, five time Atlantis flyer <LI>Bryan O'Connor, STS-61-B <LI>Charlie Walker, STS-61-B <LI>Hoot Gibson, STS-27R <LI>Garrett Reisman, STS-132 <LI>Steve Bowen, STS-132</UL></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>onesmallstep</TD><TD>Great that the majority of the astronauts on Hart's wish list for Atlantis' opening were there at Discovery's last year and I met them. Even though I won't be there (will travel down to Fla. for Space Week July 16-20), I am getting my memory cards ready. <IMG SRC="http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/smile.gif"></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Hart Sastrowardoyo</TD><TD>Indeed, my wish list is based on the fact that many of them appeared at Welcome Discovery. If they were able to appear at one (and on the same coast), maybe they'll appear at the other.I should have done this before, but add Jim Reilly to the list (STS-104, 117.) He should already be there as he's scheduled to be the one giving the Astronaut Encounter talk. Perhaps also Mike Mullane, as he's the next Astronaut Encounter (starting July 1.)And even though he hasn't flown Atlantis, count on Bob Cabana making an appearance.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Hart Sastrowardoyo</TD><TD>Here's a partial list for June 29 from the sponsorship package for the invite-only June 28 celebration: <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>40-plus astronauts representing Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle missions will be actively involved in the celebration. <LI>Some of these include Curt Brown, Scott Carpenter, Bob Crippen, Dick Gordon, Fred Gregory, Fred Haise, Hank Hartsfield, Marsha Ivins, Wendy Lawrence, Jack Lousma, Brewster Shaw and Norm Thagard.</UL></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>A <A HREF="http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/atlantis-celebration.aspx" TARGET=_blank>schedule of events</A> for Friday and Saturday (June 28-29) has now been released. And now on Sightings, the <A HREF="http://www.collectspace.com/atlantis_astronauts">list of astronauts</A> participating in the celebration. It doesn't look like the visitor complex will announce in advance which astronauts are participating in which events, other than all of them being present for the grand opening ceremony.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>onesmallstep</TD><TD>I'm envious of the people attending. Great that both the first and last commanders of Atlantis, 'Bo' Bobko and Chris Ferguson, will be there, and two other STS-135 crewmembers. I see no appearance by Scott Carpenter (so less a Mercury astronaut) but Dick Gordon holds down the fort for both Gemini and Apollo; he must the hardest working retired astronaut! Neat also that astronauts will be randomly placed in visitor tour buses. Like an Easter egg hunt - only better!</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>alanh_7</TD><TD>Judging by the photos posted here and the event schedule and lineup this looks like an amazing event. </TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>KSCartist</TD><TD>Thanks to the kindness of friends, I'll be able to attend the Atlantis opening day festivities at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They are going to be keeping an eye on me so that I don't leave on a stretcher. <IMG SRC="http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/smile.gif"> If I get tired, I'll park myself in a shady spot and watch the madness around me. I hope to see a bunch of cS'ers who are in town for the event. I'll have some special patches with me for those interested. </TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Ken Havekotte</TD><TD>Let me respond to a few cS-member sent emails in this forum about the Atlantis grand opening celebration gala last night.It was a tremendous, awesome, and most spectacular 4(+)-hour evening! One of the best that my wife and I had attended in a long, long time.DNC/NASA, along with their event sponsors, went all-out in every way possible to make this an exciting and historic lifetime-party celebration! It was one of the best-ever from all of my attended space celebrations, invited launch parties, anniversary galas, and special events going back to the later Apollo era and entire shuttle program. For those space fans not able to visit the KSCVC during the special Atlantis celebration week, do plan a visit soon to see the retired Atlantis orbiter in her exciting new home here on Florida's Space Coast. You will not be disappointed, I promise!</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>p51</TD><TD>Did anyone get photos? I assume Robert's working up something on the event?</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Robert Pearlman</TD><TD>collectSPACE's opening day coverage ran on opening day: <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI><A HREF="http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-062913a.html">Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on public display in Florida</a> <LI><A HREF="http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-062813a.html">Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit opening with support from souvenirs</a></UL> And here's a video of the opening ceremony: <center><iframe width="400" height="225" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FdKWe9_OPTs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

onesmallstep

Great to see all the photos from the opening weekend events; my mouth is already salivating in anticipation. I especially liked the Atlantis patch Tim designed. But what impressed me the most was the quality and quantity of the exhibits on view, for any age (like that ISS crawl-thru) and interest. Hopefully, the other retired orbiters around the country can try to reach if not match the level of execution in their shuttle artifact exhibits and graphics. Kudos to KSC and Delaware North!

Blackarrow

I look forward to the day (I hope within the next few years) when I get to see "Atlantis" again. My first view was from 6 miles away on 8th June, 2007: the launch of STS-117. I wish I could have seen her flying into space one more time, but I will settle for the KSC display, which seems highly spectacular. Is "Atlantis" within walking distance of the Saturn V Center?

Robert Pearlman

quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
Is "Atlantis" within walking distance of the Saturn V Center?

No; the Saturn V Center is located on NASA property. Public access is by bus only.

The "Space Shuttle Atlantis" exhibit is on site at the visitor complex (located in what was formerly the Shuttle Plaza, adjacent to the Space Mirror Memorial).

Blackarrow

Thanks, Robert - yes, I can visualise where that is, from memory.

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