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Author Topic:   To all AHOF Induction attendees
Rob Joyner
Member

Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-19-2004 01:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rob Joyner   Click Here to Email Rob Joyner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For all of you who are going to the AHOF Induction and have never been to Kennedy Space Center before, take note!
Here are a few things you should definitely experience:
Spend the twenty odd dollars for the Cape Canaveral Add-On Tour! It's worth every penny! You'll see where Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom made their first historic flights and get to actually walk inside the nearby blockhouse where the red firing button is!
You'll then be taken to the entrance of the Gemini pad where Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper were launched. This is where the famous Mercury 7 statue is located!
Next is what I consider to be one of the most moving and serene locations on the cape...Launch Complex 34. This is where the Apollo 1 fire happened...
The NASA Close-Up Tour, also an extra $20, will take you to the ISS clean room viewing area where the modules for the ISS are readied for launch.
Next, you'll be driven down next to the crawlway right up to Pad A's perimeter fence. You will be let off at a location midway between Pad A and Pad B. There is an elevated area there where you can see the Atlantic Ocean quite clearly. You'll be standing in a spot where all Space Shuttles have flown above!
Then you'll be bussed to the Landing Facility on the opposite side of the VAB. This is the only segment of this particular tour that I wish KSC would consider changing. It's the only part where no one is let off the bus, but you do get to see the runway, viewing bleachers and the de-mating structure that is used when the orbiters are piggybacked in by jet.
At the foot of the causeway to KSC to the right you'll see the Astronaut Hall of Fame Museum. This is simply just an incredible place to walk around! There's just too much here to comment on without writing a book, (although it seems I've got my first chapter going fairly strong already here!).
But one thing you should NOT miss here is the G-Force Ride! It's a two-pod centrifuge ride where you are flying a jet from take-off to landing! No matter what........
This is not to be missed!!! It's what the Shuttle astronauts feel, but without the shaking!!! Truly breathtaking!!!
Something else you shouldn't miss when you are at the Apollo/Saturn V Center is the Apollo 11 Moon Landing presentation. It's one of my favorites!
Also, Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper will be speaking and taking questions at the 'Dine with an Astronaut' lunch session May 1st.
There're more things I could talk about, but you'll find out about a lot of them once you get there.
And to all of you who are returning to KSC...
Welcome home!
Rob

TrueNorth
Member

Posts: 161
From: Bathurst, NB, Canada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 02-19-2004 07:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TrueNorth   Click Here to Email TrueNorth     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great review Rob. Darn! Those tours were already sold out when I was there in 2001. I always wanted to know more about them than the standard KSC blurb. Now I have a better idea what I missed.

Do you know if those tours typically sell out early? We were there within an hour of gate opening and it was too late. Something to keep in mind for those who are interested.

John

Ben Watson
Member

Posts: 24
From: Jackson, MS USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-19-2004 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben Watson   Click Here to Email Ben Watson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I visited KSC back in August of 2002, the Cape Canaveral Then and Now tour had been suspended in the wake of September 11. In addition, on the NASA Up Close tour, we were no longer allowed to visit the Space Station Processing Facility. Does anyone know if the Cape Canaveral tour has resumed and whether the SSPF is back on the Up Close tour?

STEVE SMITH
unregistered
posted 02-19-2004 02:24 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When i was at AHOF incuction last June, the "Then and now Tour was running, although I believe only once per day. Ditto the above comments.

Pad 34 was very moving, and I have some pictures from there I cherish. I have them monted with the famous "Abandoned in Peace (Place)" picture by Roland Miller ( You can get it from Kansas Cosmosphere Gift Shop on line).

The old blockhouse is very interesting. Personnel who worked there were tour guides. Forgot how big Vacuum Tubes were. You also see where Shepard, Frissom, and I believe Glenn went up. Seems very small now.

There is also an excellent Rocket park of missles from the 1950's and 60's like NIKe, WAC , BOMARC, etc.

You can the the launch towers where non maned shots go up. The second Martian Rover was on the Pad when I was there. Very interesting.

Ben
Member

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 02-19-2004 03:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Then and Now tour runs once a day at about 1:

http://kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/NASAtours/thenNow.asp

It is running except on the dates mentioned there. Better to call and make sure; I believe they even take your name for a particular day's tour so you don't miss out.

I don't know about the SSPF although it is mentioned as being included on the site:

http://kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/NASAtours/upclose.asp
http://kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/NASAtours/index.asp

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited February 19, 2004).]

dss65
Member

Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 02-19-2004 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dss65   Click Here to Email dss65     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My family and I took the "Then and Now Tour" when we visited KSC in 2001. My wife and daughters still make fun of the expressions I had on my face as I stood gawking in awe of so many things. It's a must see. I really hope to go again some day, and I'll do it again.

------------------
Don

Rob Joyner
Member

Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-19-2004 11:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rob Joyner   Click Here to Email Rob Joyner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi John, Ben W., Steve and Ben!
I'm sorry to hear the tours were sold out when you were there, John. Were you there when something big like the Induction or a Shuttle launch was going on? There would definitely be more people attending then. Are you returning for the Induction weekend? If so, yes, it would be a good idea to buy your tickets prior to arriving.
Ben W., when I was at KSC the weekend of the Columbia tragedy, I took the Cape Canaveral T & N Tour that Friday before. I think it had just recently started running again.
I took the NASA Up Close Tour again this past Jan. 2 and the ISSPF was included in the tour.
Steve & Ben, I think you may be correct about just the one tour per day of Cape Canaveral. But I believe the NASA Close Up Tour runs just like the regular KSC bus tour and, as I said before, does include the ISSPF. As we were at the viewing area in between Pads A & B and about to reboard the bus, another bus pulled up to let other KSC patrons out. And regarding the blockhouses, yes, indeed, they all seem very small now....
Any of you guys ride the G Force simulator at the AHOF Museum?

[This message has been edited by Rob Joyner (edited February 19, 2004).]

Ben
Member

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 02-19-2004 11:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
By the way, I will be at the induction (not gala though).. (and finally, as I missed the last two!). It occurs the day after my semester here ends so I just booked my flight to go home two days later :-)

I have, in all my times visiting KSC, never taken either of the two special tours. I have always wanted to do the Cape tour. If I haven't done it by then we should arrange for us CS members to do a tour. I'd do the Up Close tour as well, albeit it's not as special...and I've been as close as I need without working there anyway so far. I saw the SSPF on the regular tour before 9/11, but I could do it again :-)

Looking forward to seeing all of you May 1st!

TrueNorth
Member

Posts: 161
From: Bathurst, NB, Canada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 02-20-2004 09:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TrueNorth   Click Here to Email TrueNorth     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Rob, yes, I was there the glorious dawn of STS-102 launch in March 2001. So that explains it I guess. Duh!

No, I won't be attending, as I chose Sims-Hankow this year. I definately plan to get to AHOF in the future and I will take your advice and book early.

Again, thanks for the info.

John

tegwilym
Member

Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 02-20-2004 01:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've done both the NASA Up Close and the Canaveral tour when I was there back in 2001. Two thumbs up, 5 stars...excellent!

Here is a shameless plug for another one of my web sites.
www.geocities.com/tegwilym/ksc

Tom

Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 03-14-2004 01:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To anyone who is going to the AHOF induction, and can pass around my Shuttle book for signatures, please contact me off-list. Reimbursement can be discussed. Thanks!

BMckay
Member

Posts: 3218
From: MA, USA
Registered: Sep 2002

posted 03-18-2004 05:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BMckay   Click Here to Email BMckay     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If anyone is going, please let me know. lets try to get a group together for a few drinks before or after the events. The Moonhut would be neat or a local pub. Please email me offline if you are going, where you are staying and for how long. It would be neat if we could get a decent group together and take one of the tours.

Also if you are going to be down there during that week, the 41st space Congress is holding its event at the Radison Hotel. They also have an event on Thursday night the 29th at KSC that is open to the public. Check out their site- http://www.spacecongress.com/

Not much info yet.

I hope to hear from all of you that are going.

Bryan

lunarrv15
Member

Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 03-19-2004 10:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lunarrv15   Click Here to Email lunarrv15     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To any who is going...can they retrieve AHOF poster of the inductees for me. will send cost and tube for the return mailing

november25
Member

Posts: 646
From: Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-22-2004 06:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for november25   Click Here to Email november25     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Rob,
what a very impresive account of Kennedy Space centre tours-are you going to write a book on the subjecT? - you are very good, so much so-that you brought back memories for me- twice last year Hubby and myself did
nearly all the tours, and past years-we cannot keep away-and this lady did try the G Force,plus all the other simulators at the AHOF, as well, this Grandma-couldnt get enough- not one go- but 2\3 of all the simulators, and I didnt come out- [In a state of collapse-just like my private pilots training-only better.
Any of you guys want to do the tours- you can book a reservation via the internet site
of KSC, then collect your tickets from the [WILLCALL CENTRE] which is the 1st or 2nd ticket booth when you go in, I have done this, with living in the UK-very handy everytime- saves finding out -all sold etc.
You can always pick your tickets up the day before,or if you go early-as they open at 9.0.am. and close at dusk, Since I was there
in November,03.
Hope this can be of some help guys, best of luck-happy hunting for your heroes autographs at the induction 1st MAY.04.
I shall be going to the AIR AND SPACE SHOW- later in that month. All of you have a great time, best wishes to all on this chat
line.
From Brenda[Isle of Man.uk]

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