Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 341 (May 14, 2011)
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heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 05-14-2011 02:40 AM
With the end of the Space Shuttle program approaching, I selected a series of photos showing two orbiters in one shot. I will post these in the coming weeks. This photo was taken on July 4, 1982, shortly after Columbia’s landing at Edwards following the STS-4 mission. President Reagan was there to welcome the crew and later gave the signal for the new orbiter Challenger to take off for Florida, where it would be prepared for STS-6. Before heading east, the 747/Challenger combination made low pass over Columbia. It was the first time two flight-worthy orbiters were photographed together. Ed Hengeveld |
Henry Heatherbank Member Posts: 244 From: Adelaide, South Australia Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 05-14-2011 04:19 AM
What a haunting and eerie photo, considering the ultimate fate of these two Orbiters. This photograph perfectly captures the optimistic future of the Shuttle program, with all its high hopes and aspirations, arguably at its brightest point. With the OFT program successfully completed with the landing of STS 4 moments before, with the Shuttle about to go "operational" with STS 5 four months hence, and with the future of the Shuttle fleet (Challenger) ready to step into action. All systems well-and-truly "go".Ultimately both Columbia and Challenger would meet an inglorious end, both arguably the victims of management issues and/or schedule pressure. If only it could have been different, with Columbia sitting in the Smithsonian, gloriously in retirement ... |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 05-14-2011 06:45 AM
That was a neat day! |
randyc Member Posts: 779 From: Chandler, AZ USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 05-14-2011 10:57 AM
I was there (along with 500,000 of my closest friends)!
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astro-nut Member Posts: 946 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-14-2011 02:45 PM
An awesome photo indeed!!! I remember watching the network news coverage of that day, and taking notes in my shuttle notebook. I thought it was always a good day for the shuttle program with all the activities that day along with President Reagan being there!!! The good ole days of the Space Shuttle Program. |
micropooz Member Posts: 1512 From: Washington, DC, USA Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 05-14-2011 04:00 PM
I remember watching that on TV that day. We were all hopeful that Reagan would make a public statement supporting the development of a Space Station. He didn't... |
joe bruce Member Posts: 129 From: Spokane, WA U.S.A. Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 05-14-2011 04:42 PM
A few days earlier my wife and I were at KSC for Columbia's STS-4 launch. It was our first anniversary. A hail storm had passed through earlier in the evening so technicians were checking for damage on Columbia most of the night. If I remember correctly, they lost one of the SRBs on that launch. We had rented a Datsun B 210 and were trying to sleep in the car. So between the small car, heat and humidity there was not much sleep that night. It was a memorable 1st anniversary for me but I still am not sure what my wife thought about it. This year is our 30th anniversary so it must have been okay. Columbia will always be my favorite orbiter. |
Lou Chinal Member Posts: 1306 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 05-14-2011 08:01 PM
Joe, your wife must be very tolerant.I have fond memories of that day also. Ed had posted a photo awhile back that must have been taken about an hour before this one. It showed the crew of STS 4 talking with Reagan, we were all waiting for the space station announcement. All in all it was a good day for the space program. Wide eyed optimism was everywhere that day! |
OV-105 Member Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 05-14-2011 08:14 PM
Both SRB's were lost on STS-4. |
joe bruce Member Posts: 129 From: Spokane, WA U.S.A. Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 05-14-2011 10:03 PM
quote: Originally posted by OV-105: Both SRB's were lost on STS-4.
I can't remember, was it due to rough seas in the recovery area? |
joe bruce Member Posts: 129 From: Spokane, WA U.S.A. Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 05-14-2011 10:07 PM
quote: Originally posted by Lou Chinal: Joe, your wife must be very tolerant.
Lou, she is a good lady and my best friend. She allows me to take up most of the basement with my collection. She has put up with a lot of weird items coming home over the years. |
star51L Member Posts: 340 From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 05-15-2011 07:56 AM
quote: Originally posted by joe bruce: I can't remember, was it due to rough seas in the recovery area?
I believe both were lost due to parachute deployment failures. |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 05-15-2011 11:55 AM
Wow. I remember that like it was yesterday. What a different world we live in now. |
astro-nut Member Posts: 946 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-15-2011 02:50 PM
I also remember that Astronaut Dick Scobee was piloting the 747/SCA that day along with Fitz Fulton(I think)? Thank you. |
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 05-21-2011 09:34 PM
Is that a T-38 chase plane that looks awfully close?Last Edwards landing before I got there... I saw STS-5, -6, -7, -9, and 41-D come home. A quarter of a century ago. Wow. |