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Author
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Topic: 10/2: Ticker Tape Parade for Buzz Lightyear
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-16-2009 01:46 PM
   
After a record-setting 468 days in space, Buzz Lightyear is back on Earth...
Buzz Lightyear inspects the spacecraft that brought him home. Credit: NASA/Tony Landis Lightyear, who launched aboard space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission in May 2008 and returned on the same orbiter with the STS-128 crew last Friday, will be joined by NASA astronauts and the moonwalker who inspired his name, Buzz Aldrin, for a ticker tape parade down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on Friday, October 2. The procession is tentatively set to start at 2:45 p.m. EDT. While in space, Lightyear filmed several educational outreach videos for NASA but mostly kept a low profile as to not interfere with the work of the space station's crew.
Now back on Earth, Buzz Lightyear's space mission will continue. Disney is partnering with NASA to create a new online educational game and an online mission patch competition for school kids across America. NASA will fly the winning patch in space. In addition, NASA plans to announce on October 2 the details of a new educational competition that will give students the opportunity to design an experiment for the astronauts on the space station.
Credit: NASA/Tony Landis |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1049
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-17-2009 03:35 AM
What would I not give to be in the Magic Kingdom next Friday. Have the astronauts accompanying him been named? Is that the actual Buzz that flew in the two phtotographs or just an other Buzz Lightyear for the shot as the real was still in storage? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 09-17-2009 05:41 AM
It just so happens that my wife and I already have plans to be at Disney World for another function on Oct. 2-4. Since we'll be staying near Epcot for two nights, by all means, we'll try to get over to the Magic Kingdom for the big parade and possibly take in some other special events.If anyone else gets over there, be sure to take in Disney's Buzz Lightyear amusement ride at the Magic Kingdom's future world pavilion; lots of fun! |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1031
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-17-2009 01:02 PM
 This is Vakosha. As my good friend Jacques pointed out to me today, the 1.5 meter tall doll spent six years, five months, seven days, 14 hours, 38 minutes and 11 seconds in space, mainly aboard the Mir space station. It was launched aboard Soyuz TM-18 in January 1994 and brought home by the final Mir crew, Sergei Zalyutin and Aleksandr Kaleri in June 2000. So Buzz... what record? |
X-Plane Fan
Member Posts: 150
From: CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 09-24-2009 09:12 AM
Yes, in the photos above that was the actual Buzz Lightyear that was flown. After a very brief handover ceremony, it was handed to me to do all of the publicity photos. We took very good care of Buzz while he was at Dryden and he went back home to Florida aboard the pathfinder DC-9 that preceded the 747 SCA. |
WSTFphoto
Member Posts: 70
From: Las Cruces, NM, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 09-24-2009 11:40 AM
Great photos, Tony! |
RocketPoke
New Member Posts:
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posted 09-26-2009 11:55 AM
Kewl pics! Any way to get a print? My son hovered over my computer screen when these were up. He loved the pictures. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-26-2009 11:57 AM
Both photos are available in high resolution from NASA's website by clicking on each above. As they are public domain, you can take the files to your nearest photo developer and have prints made. |
RocketPoke
New Member Posts:
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posted 09-26-2009 07:55 PM
Thanks. I've been burned on that before so wanted to make sure before I ran off a copy. |
AFGAS
Member Posts: 89
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Feb 2008
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posted 10-02-2009 06:47 PM
I was at the Magic Kingdom today for the parade for Buzz and Buzz (and Mike!). Aldrin came first in a sweet Camaro RS convertible, followed by Fincke in an also sweet Camaro SS. Following them was Buzz Lightyear, the action figure that traveled to space and back, riding on his friend RC Car. After waiting in line for an hour, I shook Buzz Aldrin's hand and had him sign his book. The visit was capped with a short visit to collectSPACE's own Robert Pearlman, found busily working on his computer to post his front page story. It was a great treat to cap off a beautiful day.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-03-2009 03:55 PM
Jim, it was great to see you again and to catch up for a few minutes. See, it really is a small world (sorry, couldn't resist).In addition to the photos that were published as part of our article, I thought I would share a few "behind the scenes" shots. Soon after arriving at the Magic Kingdom on Friday morning, I met up with Duncan Wardle, Disney's Vice President for Creative, Inc., who manages the partnership with NASA for Disney Parks. Duncan was very kind to bring out Buzz Lightyear for me to see, and to "prove" it was the bona fide flown article, he removed Buzz's jet pack to reveal how NASA prepared the space ranger for his trip. 
© collectSPACE.comLike all astronauts, NASA provided Buzz with a "name tag," which if you remember from the movie Toy Story, was properly located on the bottom of his feet. 
© collectSPACE.com |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-03-2009 04:04 PM
From there, Duncan took Buzz out to Cinderella's castle, so that I could get a few establishing shots for the day.
© collectSPACE.comAs I began to take photos, park guests took notice and to what was to my pleasant surprise, nearly all knew that Buzz had been to space. Disney had yet to announce the parade, it wasn't mentioned in any of the park literature, and yet here were people who were consciously aware that Buzz had been aboard the space station. Soon enough, people were asking to take Buzz's photo and have their photo taken with him.  
© collectSPACE.com
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-03-2009 04:38 PM
Two very fortunate groups of school kids were bussed in for a NASA presentation featuring space science experiments and Q&A session with astronaut Mike Fincke. Afterward, they were invited by Disney to ride some of the space-related attractions at the park. Talk about a field trip! But make no mistake, these fourth, fifth and sixth grade students were not just there for the rides. They were quick to demonstrate their space knowledge, answering questions that ranged in topic from cryogenic fuels to how astronauts live and work in space, and they were eager to hear from Fincke. When it was time for them to ask questions, every hand went up and stayed up. Who says today's youth are not interested in space?  
© collectSPACE.com
To support the two schools (the above group of students were from just one of the classes), NASA had their own team present, including Associate Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton (standing next to Fincke). 
© collectSPACE.com |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-03-2009 04:49 PM
The only sign that I saw indicating to park guests that something special was going on was outside Exposition Hall on Main Street U.S.A., promoting Buzz Aldrin's book signing later in the day.
© collectSPACE.comSpeaking of Buzz, here's Duncan giving Aldrin his first look at the 'other' Buzz. 
© collectSPACE.com |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-03-2009 04:53 PM
My first trip to Disney World was as a young kid with my parents, and while growing up, my sister was as much into Disney as I was into space... so just about anything Disney-related usually brings a smile to my face. But I have to say, it was really neat to get a chance to pose with Buzz in front of the castle... 
© collectSPACE.com |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 10-03-2009 05:00 PM
This is excellent PR for NASA. My kids love the Toy Story movies and have a Buzz just like the one that went to the ISS. I say lets send Lightyear on a national tour! |
AFGAS
Member Posts: 89
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Feb 2008
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posted 10-04-2009 06:21 AM
All I can say Rob, is I wish I ran into you sooner that day!  |
X-Plane Fan
Member Posts: 150
From: CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 10-05-2009 01:39 PM
Great coverage of the parade Robert, wish I could have been there. It seems like Disney is keeping Buzz pretty busy. I know we had him working hard during his brief visit to California. Here's a few shots I got during his time here:
Buzz greets everyone upon stepping out of the orbiter.
Helping out in the cockpit during post flight. 
At the lifting controls to raise the shuttle for mating to the 747
Examining the Apollo 11 moon rock that was flown on STS-128. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-05-2009 01:50 PM
Really cool shots Tony! Your name came up several times during the day at Disney, by both Disney and NASA people supporting the event -- all positive, I assure you, in praise of your photographs. |
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