posted 05-10-2018 06:27 PM
Twenty launches and going strong. That should be this year's motto for the Russell Elementary School Shuttle simulator program. On Thursday morning (May 3), for the fifth consecutive year, I headed to the school to help document their shuttle "launch." The program was started by and is still run by Chris Laster. The students have to volunteer to be involved with the program and it takes a lot of extra work on their part to participate. Their dedication, along with everyone else involved with the school, is obvious. My understanding is it's the only school in country with this program.
The orbiter, Intrepid, which is housed in an onsite trailer, contains a working flight deck that is amazing, as well as living quarters in the mid deck.
The mission lasts for about 28 hours and the crew sleeps in the mid deck bunks at night along with a chaperone who is also a member of the crew.
The Mission Control Center would make NASA proud. It's manned for the entire mission and accommodates all of the personnel, communications and electronics to make the mission successful.
My favorite part of the morning is the astronaut and flight controller walkout. The crew parade through the entire school with all of their civilian classmates yelling, screaming, and waving flags in support and admiration.
Here are several photos from this year's launch, enjoy.
posted 05-03-2018 03:51 PM
advertisement