Posts: 234 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2009
posted 01-14-2010 08:46 PM
I thought you may be interested to see my video of the Apollo Launch Umbilical Tower that was at the KSC industrial area for many years, but is now scrapped. I was escorted in by Manny Virata of KSC Public Affairs and a real gentleman and with endless patience for us space geeks. This was back in 2000 and I only just rediscovered this video, please enjoy!
Rick Boos Member
Posts: 851 From: Celina, Ohio Registered: Feb 2000
posted 01-21-2010 10:37 AM
GREAT video! A real piece of history there! I treasure all the footage I took at all the abandoned pads in the 80's for most of them are gone now, and those that aren't will be soon.
I think someday collecting and having artifacts from sites will have it's day too. Once these sites are gone, they are gone forever!
It took this kind equipment to get us there, nuts, bolts, steel, cement, and vision! Thankful for photos and video of a time that once was! Remember how impressive the aerial photo of ICBM row was.... look at the same view today!
I am thankful I was born and that I got to see these sites up close and in person and have tid bit pieces to always remember them by!
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4208 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 01-21-2010 01:36 PM
Thanks for sharing the video. I too was fortunate to have had a guided tour of KSC with Manny Virata in 2003 that included the boneyard though by that time, he was not permitted to take me in for the "toxic" reasons already mentioned.
Manny has always been a great guy and incredible help to space nuts. Sadly he has now retired I believe but he does help out at the Press Site on launch days as a volunteer. He was at the site for STS-125.
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 01-21-2010 05:19 PM
My second reaction on seeing this video is "There's a tetanus shot waiting to happen."
Of course the first reaction is, "Wow..."
ozspace Member
Posts: 234 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2009
posted 01-27-2010 06:08 AM
quote:Originally posted by Rick Boos: ...have tid bit pieces to always remember them by!
Does anyone know if NASA, US government or any other body would have any legal issues with such 'tid bits' in the hands of private citizens, inside or outside the US? Just a speculation...
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 01-27-2010 06:45 AM
Ahhhhh ICBM row. I haven't thought of that in years. THAT was a spaceport!
Great video, thank you for sharing.
Rick Boos Member
Posts: 851 From: Celina, Ohio Registered: Feb 2000
posted 01-27-2010 11:47 AM
quote:Originally posted by ozspace: Does anyone know if NASA, US government or any other body would have any legal issues with such 'tid bits' in the hands of private citizens, inside or outside the US?
I had permission! It was not theft or anything illegal! Why try to start something or make something out of nothing and twist it all around? The pads were sold for scrap! They even had the Boy Scouts go out and help clean up pad #34 and throw the stuff away! One man's junk is another mans treasure! Remarks like this make me wonder about some of today's collectors and the direction collecting is going!
fireflyer21 Member
Posts: 35 From: Evansville, IN Registered: Jul 2004
posted 01-27-2010 01:46 PM
Thanks for posting that video. Great stuff!
ozspace Member
Posts: 234 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2009
posted 01-27-2010 05:02 PM
quote:Originally posted by Rick Boos: I had permission! It was not theft or anything illegal! Why try to start something or make something out of nothing and twist it all around?
Not trying to make problems or controversy, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I have some bits myself and I had permission too but was not sure if it was 'official' and don't want to get anyone in trouble if I were to display.
These were not flown items and significant only to those who know and understand there significance. It would be nice to have some site where we could all 'show and tell', I just wanted to see if there may be any 'issues'. You are right, one man's junk...
Rick Boos Member
Posts: 851 From: Celina, Ohio Registered: Feb 2000
posted 01-27-2010 06:27 PM
I'm sorry for coming down on you so hard, I misunderstood where you were coming from! To answer your question, I doubt if there would be any issues unless you didn't have permission in the first place, or if you were defacing something like pad 34 or pad 14 which are historic landmarks. Heck the Air Force came up with a number launch complex artifact related memorabilia such as the complex 26 card, pad 14 display, and a multi-pad display. Actually NASA has nothing to do with the abandoned launch sites, they were turned back to the Air Force.
ozspace Member
Posts: 234 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2009
posted 01-27-2010 06:35 PM
No worries, so should we photograph and post here somewhere?
ozspace Member
Posts: 234 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2009
posted 08-19-2013 03:10 AM
I have uploaded an extended version of my year 2000 video in the boneyard (with stabilization and slow down), with additional material from "Moonwalk One" and A11 countdown audio. Enjoy!
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1220 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 08-19-2013 07:58 AM
I remember spotting part of this while on a tour back in the early 90s. I snapped a few pictures from a distance. I wish I could have gone over and grabbed a piece!