Topic: KSC Visitor Complex: Space Shuttle Atlantis
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 05-23-2013 12:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: The real arm would also have been too heavy to display outstretched and so a replica was fabricated.[/list]
The real arm and joints can not handle its own weight. It would need to be supported as in this photo.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2013 12:52 PM
I don't believe the replica will be supporting its own weight either, but be suspended from the ceiling with wires (just like the payload bay doors).
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 05-23-2013 02:32 PM
A question that may seem obvious, given past celebrations: Are there any special events planned on June 29th or the weekend of Atlantis' unveiling at KSCVC? Maybe too much going on besides the new exhibit, Lunch with an Astronaut, tours, etc.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2013 02:47 PM
I was just getting ready to start a new thread under the Space Events forum about the opening, so see here.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-23-2013 06:53 PM
And the replica Canadarm is deployed (as shown, visitors will walk underneath it as they tour around Atlantis):
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 05-24-2013 10:46 AM
Will a replica plaque be on display that marked the final landing and wheels stop for Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center, like for the other orbiters?
I know this was the subject of another thread on cS, as was the sale of these plaque replicas. I don't know if the exhibits for Endeavour and Discovery plan something similar.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-24-2013 10:47 AM
To the best of my knowledge, there are no plans for the replica markers to be displayed with their orbiters, but I can inquire regarding Atlantis.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 307 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 05-25-2013 12:30 PM
I'm guessing that there won't be a dummy astronaut attached to the end of the replica Canadarm as originally thought; is that correct?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-25-2013 03:44 PM
That's correct; though there will be a full EMU and MMU mockup nearby.
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 05-25-2013 06:46 PM
quote:Originally posted by SpaceAngel: I'm guessing that there won't be a dummy astronaut attached to the end of the replica Canadarm as originally thought; is that correct?
No, it will be a real astronaut.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 05-26-2013 06:47 PM
The new site for the Astronaut Encounter. Autographs, though, will be problematic.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 307 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 05-29-2013 07:04 AM
To think, in exactly one month from now, "Atlantis" will be open!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-03-2013 02:13 PM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex teaser trailer for the opening:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The retired NASA orbiter and the new $100 million exhibit that bears its name is on schedule to open to the public on June 29 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.
"Everything is go," said Tim Macy, the director of project development and construction for Delaware North Parks & Resorts, which operates the complex for NASA. "We are looking forward to having a big turnout that Saturday."
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 06-07-2013 03:56 PM
I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
canyon42 Member
Posts: 238 From: Ohio Registered: Mar 2006
posted 06-07-2013 05:43 PM
I have to admit that this is the one shuttle display that excites me enough to expect to plan a trip in the not-too-distant future to visit it. I imagine I will be in Washington again sometime and will certainly stop in at the Udvar-Hazy to see Discovery, but if the display is essentially the same as when Enterprise was there it isn't a big priority. I've already seen Enterprise and have no desire to visit NYC to see it again. And California is frankly too far away to be feasible anytime in the foreseeable future.
This, though... this display absolutely rocks. I'll be driving down to Florida at some point before long.
Zach121k Member
Posts: 62 From: Fenton, Missouri, USA Registered: Feb 2013
posted 06-09-2013 09:41 PM
Just tell me... there's a cockpit replica I can sit in.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-09-2013 09:41 PM
I don't know if you can sit in it, but there is a split flight deck replica, which you can see still under construction here:
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 06-09-2013 09:58 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Unless you are a professional baseball player pitching fastballs into the payload bay...
I'm more worried about people damaging the tiles (not just on Atlantis, but Discovery and Endeavour as well).
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-13-2013 06:58 AM
The ET and SRB are almost done:
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 06-13-2013 07:48 PM
That ET/SRB stack looks awesome! I assume it has an aircraft light on top. Is there a hatch to the inside to get to the top?
We have made plans to visit it her in late July! I can't wait!
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 06-13-2013 08:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by Ronpur: I assume it has an aircraft light on top.
Does the stack exceed 200 feet?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-13-2013 09:17 PM
The stack stands 184 feet tall, below the 200 foot requirement for a warning light, and therefore doesn't have one.
insomniaceve New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 06-13-2013 10:42 PM
This looks so exciting. I plan to visit her some time this year!
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-18-2013 07:49 AM
Here are photos I shot yesterday during a soft-opening Atlantis preview.
I also filmed a 22-minute video:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-18-2013 08:18 AM
Very nice Stephen!
I would add though, for the benefit of others — the video includes "spoilers" for how Atlantis is revealed to visitors as they enter the exhibit. If you are planning to visit and would rather remain surprised, I would suggest not watching the video (or skipping ahead to 17 minutes and 35 seconds to see the footage of Atlantis after the reveal).
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1292 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 06-19-2013 06:36 PM
I'm very proud that my daughter, Jenna, is interning this summer at Dixon-Schwabl... the firm chosen to market and advertise the KSC Atlantis display. She's had some input, as she was brought up around an avid supporter of the Space Program.
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-19-2013 07:08 PM
KSCVC held an unannounced "sneak peek" today for the public, beginning at 2:30 PM. All my photos are here.
And here's one of the first public viewings of Atlantis:
RobertRiberia New Member
Posts: 2 From: Moab, UT Registered: Jun 2013
posted 06-23-2013 05:20 PM
I am loving all the photos posted here of the new Atlantis exhibit. I will be visiting Atlantis at the end of next month and I was wondering if those of you who have already had access to the exhibit have any tips for DSLR photographers. How well lit is the orbiter? From what I can see here it looks as if a tripod is probably required for lower ISO images. (Are tripods allowed in the KSC Visitor Complex?) What focal length lens is required to get the entire orbiter in one frame? My widest is 17mm for an APS-C sensor (equivalent to ~26mm in 35mm format). What are your typical exposures? Any need for a flash?
I know - that's a lot of questions. Any advice would be really appreciated!
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-24-2013 07:33 PM
I can't speak to all the tech stuff, but tripods are allowed. I brought in one myself to film Atlantis.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
There is a moment in the new Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex when a fantasy becomes reality and the experience is nothing short of magical.
But unlike the theme parks in nearby Orlando, Florida, the attraction here is not the make believe, but the recognition that what you are looking at is in fact real.
"Space Shuttle Atlantis," which debuts on Saturday (June 29), showcases the retired winged spacecraft as part of a $100 million exhibit that has been more than a year in the making. It succeeds in bringing the public nose-to-nose — and nose-to-wing and nose-to-tail — with Atlantis in a way that is unique to every other museum display of a shuttle orbiter.
posted 06-25-2013 11:40 AM
I have to say that while I'm still bitter that the Air Force Museum didn't get Atlantis, this is by far the coolest shuttle display. And way better than what was planned here in Dayton. I cannot wait to take my kids there on our next trip to Florida!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-25-2013 12:08 PM
quote:Originally posted by RobertRiberia: ...any tips for DSLR photographers.
Space Shuttle Atlantis (the exhibit) presents some challenges for photographers in the way that it is lit, which is to say that the lighting is almost constantly changing. The exhibit is designed to take Atlantis through an 11-minute "orbit" with different hues blanketing over the vehicle depending on what else is happening in the exhibit at the time.
The end result, at least for photographers, is that there is no one set of exposures that can be recommended.
The best advice, as shared by several press photographers, is to try to wait for the theatrical lighting to darken, or at least dim based on darker colors, as otherwise, it is very easy to overexpose the shuttle.
With regards to lenses, I was shooting with a 10mm and even then I had difficulty fitting all of Atlantis into the frame other than in a few key places. I also had the benefit of not having a sea of people in front of me. I suspect (or at least, I hope) the exhibit will be packed full of tourists for its first few months.
That may also present an issue for tripods, and while I have no information to say they are or will be prohibited, if the crowds are strong, I could see the visitor complex asking guests to leave their tripods in the Shuttle Launch Experience lockers before entering Space Shuttle Atlantis. That's just a guess, though.
I would advise going through the exhibit at least once without trying to photograph it, or at least paying too much focus to the camera rather than the exhibit itself. It's worth a once-through without a divided-attention.
Andy McCulley Member
Posts: 245 From: Lansdale, PA Registered: Jul 2001
posted 06-26-2013 10:30 PM
If you have the opportunity, by ALL MEANS, stop and see the Atlantis in its new home.
KSC has been having "soft" openings of the exhibit and Lauren and I were there today and were fortunate enough to get in to see it.
The opening movie and introduction to the Atlantis, in my opinion, was exciting. To stand so close to the Atlantis actually raised goose bumps on my arms.
Lauren described it as being awe-inspiring.
Very much worth the trip.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 06-28-2013 08:31 AM
I had a sneak peek yesterday.
SpaceKSCBlog Member
Posts: 119 From: Merritt Island, FL Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-28-2013 05:34 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I would advise going through the exhibit at least once without trying to photograph it, or at least paying too much focus to the camera rather than the exhibit itself. It's worth a once-through without a divided-attention.
If you don't want to queue in line, you can enter through the gift shop to the right which takes you in to the first floor. You can then walk up the ramp to get to Atlantis.
APG85 Member
Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 07-05-2013 10:22 AM
Does anyone know why they didn't install the forward orbiter mount on the replica external fuel tank...? Just curious as to why they would leave off that detail...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-05-2013 10:38 AM
They did — it was just late in the install, after the press previews, so many photos taken before opening do not show it. Here's one that does.
APG85 Member
Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 07-05-2013 10:51 AM
Neat!
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 07-22-2013 06:49 PM
I got to see Atlantis today for my birthday. It is a spectacular display. I could feel myself trembling as the orbiter came into view. She really looks good on display. I can't wait to go back without the kid so I can just look at her for a few hours!
posted 05-23-2013 12:45 PM
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