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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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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