|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: NASA's Kennedy Space Center (FL) Press Site
|
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 11-07-2007 11:15 AM
   
I attended my first space launch, STS-9, in 1983 and saw it from the KSC press site next to the VAB. It was memorable, not only because it was the first, but also for the fact that Walter Cronkite, Jules Bergman and Roy Neal trod those same steps near the old clapboard bleachers that stood for many years since Apollo. The bleachers are gone now, torn down after a storm several years ago. Does anyone have any memories or before/after photos showing the old and 'new' press site? I didn't meet any of the veteran space anchors at the time, except for John Noble Wilford of the NY Times, who signed my copy of We Reach the Moon. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 11-07-2007 02:21 PM
I was at the Press Site for STS-7. I'll have to dig but I know I have some photos of my time there.I remember I was so excited that I got up when the crew did (around midnight)and watched the "Astro-van" drive by from the road. The crew popped the door open and gave a wave. I met Gene Cernan (working for ABC) Lynn Sherr, Jim Abramson, Hugh Harris and a few others. Also got to me Robert McCall who was working on a draft watercolor painting. It was a great trip. |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 11-07-2007 03:30 PM
While covering my second shuttle launch, STS-26 in 1988, I saw the launch from the NASA causeway; restrictions put in place after Challenger allowed only major newspapers (dailies), magazines and TV networks access to the press site 3.5 miles from the pad. But it was memorable nonetheless; I clearly remember some cowbells being rung among cries of 'Go, baby, go!' as Discovery lifted off. I did visit the press site for the post-launch news conference, and saw Gene Cernan and Lynn Sherr working for ABC News. The pre-launch 'sunset' photo op of the shuttle stack is also vivid in my mind, with the orbiter reflecting the twilight and the sound of nearby waves crashing nearby. My last launch was for a HST repair mission in 1997, which I watched from the shoreline in Titusville-getting farther from the pads each time! I hope to catch another before the program ends. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 11-07-2007 06:53 PM
Are you looking for pics of the old Press Site 39 area, Apollo era, or just shuttle? Since Apollo-Soyuz, I have covered from PS39 just about every manned space shot from 1975 to present. This even includes countless number of abort attempts at liftoff and other "launch day" scrubbed windows of opportunities. Is there anything specific you're trying to locate? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-07-2007 07:48 PM
The launch of STS-114 in 2005, the space shuttle's return to flight after the loss of Columbia two years earlier, elicited a large and notable media turnout at Kennedy Space Center, the likes of which were not seen since the launch of John Glenn on STS-95 in 1998. The spectacle (and a scrub) inspired me to share a few photos of the press site with cS readers: The views from the press site. |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 11-08-2007 08:43 AM
Thanks, Ken. I would be interested in photos from the early shuttle era (1981-88) and the Apollo flights, which could include ASTP or Skylab. I just wanted to compare what I remember from my first visit, to the structures in place in the '60s. Of course, since the bleachers and the restrooms had that 'lived in' look, I imagine little had changed, except maybe the press center. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 11-08-2007 11:42 AM
As time permits I'll have to locate some of the older photos of PS39 from the 1970/80s. In recent years, perhaps the first major change to the PS39 area was the addition of the NASA LC-39 News Center in 1995. The added facility, still in use today, is a single story building (about 8,700 square feet) located west of the LC-39 twin launch viewing stands east of the commercial communications facilities. The new news center is the first "permanent" facility for the NASA Media Services Branch at KSC -- replacing a geodesic dome and temporary trailer facilities. It contains 15 offices to house permanent employees, a library, a media photo distribution area, a restroom, and a media work area that serves media reps from around the world. There are a few other additions to PS39 that I'll comment on later as time permits. During the Apollo era, Al, most of the public affairs office space, photo distributions, contractor support areas, etc. were not located on the grounds of PS39, but rather "off base" in Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
|
posted 11-08-2007 03:54 PM
I was there for STS-121 as I managed to enlist some favors back home to get me a press pass to help with some book research. The press interest for 121 was also pretty heavy since this was the first launch in over a year due to the foam shedding on STS-114. I imagine STS-114 had a little bigger interest though due to it being the first flight after 107. My workstation was situated between a CNN education web reporter and a gentleman from a central Texas newspaper. Some Japanese press officials were also seated behind us. Rob's desk was about two rows up and on the far right side of the press desks and Ben was seated next to him with one of his cameras. Rob introduced me to a couple of the big guns from the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today (I can't remember the names, although I would know one of them on sight as he has done some on camera interviews related to the Lisa Nowak case). At the site, I managed to meet up with Randy Avera (then a space expert for CNN.com) and he introduced me to Miles O'Brian. Jay Barbree was also there (as he always is), so I shook hands with that "famous Jay". The "Congranaut" Senator Bill Nelson of Florida was also there. I even had a chance to chat with astronaut Rex Walheim to get some backstory information on Clayton Anderson (not yet assigned to a shuttle flight at the time).I did manage to sit in on a couple of the press conferences and it was this weird meshing of reporters who knew their space subject quite well and others who didn't, but where there because it was "big news". One photographer, who I secretly labeled as "Mr. Paparazzi" as he had this camera set up that could rattle off about lots of pictures in a couple seconds, would shoot about 10 pictures anytime an official would point to the External tank model, showing where foam had broken off of it. It was pretty crazy. I can also remember a bit where Rob and I became the center of newsroom attention with that foam loss for about an hour or so. On Monday, July 3, there was a report of a crack in the ET foam and a piece of foam that fell off. Rob had the pictures up when I came to the press site and I looked at them. So I told Rob that to me it looked like the picture of the foam crack and the picture of the foam piece were indeed the same piece. So he does some checking, comes to the same conclusion and then spent the next few minutes putting together an animated GIF movie, merging one photo into the other. Here was the thread he was managing while this was all going on. At that point, we started getting people coming over and looking at the images asking in a hurried tone "What did you find?! What did you find?!" and calling their editors to report the findings. I spent about five minutes trying to point out to another reporter about where we thought the foam loss might have come from. But after that five minutes, I got the sense that he still didn't get it. It was quite an experience. The view of the pads and the countdown clock from the site is certainly iconic in space history. Seeing the shuttle liftoff from that location was a memory I will not likely forget (even if I go senile in my old age, I don't want to forget it). But seeing the people working there gave me a fascinating glimpse into this aspect of life at KSC during a launch. I plan to experience it again one day. If circumstances work in my favor, it will happen. |
irish guy
Member Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 03-02-2009 09:48 AM
It looks increasingly likely that Siobhan and I will be watching the launch of STS 125 from the Press site at KSC. I was wondering if folks here, who have been to the Press Site would like to share there experiences of the day. Any hints, advice or stories would be appreciated. Thank you.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 03-02-2009 09:49 AM
Eamon, would love to hook up with you at the press site. I already have my credentials for 125. The day before, we will be out setting up remote cameras, the evening before there will be a sunset/night time photo op, then there's the astronaut walkout. There are a few different locations you can go to and watch the launch from. Bring lots of memory for your cameras and a tripod. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 03-02-2009 07:43 PM
As Jimmy said, do not miss the photo op of seeing it on the pad. It is not always at sunset or night (though those are the best), as it depends on the launch time (in fact, STS-126 was the first launch in a long time that they did not have such a photo op due to bad timing). However for a 1:11pm launch (May 12, unless it delays and then it could change) I would wager it will be around 6-7pm the night before and so sunset may be likely for that one. It is a very magical, very cosmic and eerie sight to watch the sun go down behind the shuttle and watch as the soft lights and then the gigantic xenon spotlights be turned on. And yea, crew walkout about four hours before launch. I always recommend first timers stay at the press site itself, because of its fame with the clock and flagpole setting, and because it is the closest place anyone gets to pad A. You want the full experience.  Especially since it might be your only one you see from that close. |
irish guy
Member Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 03-03-2009 10:43 AM
James, we can't wait to meet up with you again, hard to believe its been 8 years since we all enjoyed that wonderful weekend at HOF 2001. Awaiting news of when STS-125 accreditation will be available, it should not be long, and we will be signing up working with KSC and Astronomy Ireland.Ben, thanks for the great advise, and for making it sound so exciting... Help and advise from two of the best men in the business, we cant go wrong... CANT WAIT! |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
|
posted 03-07-2009 03:33 AM
I had wanted to post these before, but better late than never...My first look at the press site after arriving at KSC on April 6, 1981, to watch the launch of STS-1.  ESA astronauts Wubbo Ockels and Claude Nicollier along with Mike Lampton and Joos Ockels at the entrance of the press facility behind the grandstand. This where all of the great launch photos were freely distributed to us lucky bastards. The launch pad is off to the left.  Close, but no cigar. The crowd leaves after the scrub on April 10.  |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
|
posted 03-07-2009 03:39 AM
Press conference by George Page and Hugh Harris after the scrub on April 10. April 10 view of launch pad 39A.  April 12: artist Bob McCall working at the grandstand.  Shortly after launch on April 12, showing the VIP-site as seen from the press site.  Post-launch press conference by George Page, moderated by Hugh Harris.  |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 03-07-2009 07:21 AM
Some great behind-the-scenes photos of Press Site 39 during all the STS-1 activities mostly before launch. In seeing the fourth picture of your series, Ed, there is a guy walking with a blue shirt on to the extreme right of the pic with the countdown clock and flag pole behind him. That looks like me! On the day of the April 10th "computer timing skew" launch delay, getting to the press site was a challenging event all by itself! The traffic was horrible that morning and we (a Florida Today reporter was with me) just barely made it before the scheduled first-attempt liftoff time. Once our car was parked hundreds or yards away from the press site area along Saturn Cswy., we only had about 10 minutes to make our observation stations. Suddenly, as cameras were being set up and quickly checked in anticipation for the big moment, the scrub announcement came over the loud speakers. Shuttle Columbia's maiden voyage would fly another day as it did two days later. | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
