|
Author
|
Topic: KSC Up-Close Tour: Vehicle Assembly Building
|
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 90
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
|
posted 04-07-2012 07:02 AM
   
quote:
Originally posted by Ben:
And it might be worth noting that this is likely the final week to ever see a space shuttle inside the VAB...
The last day Discovery will be in High Bay 4 for viewing is April 13. On April 14, weather permitting, it heads out to the SLF for mating to the 747. Weather permitting, of course.The KSC Visitor Complex is offering a special limited tour ticket April 14-17 to see Discovery at the SLF. |
englau
Member Posts: 94
From: tampa, florida, usa
Registered: Mar 2012
|
posted 04-09-2012 10:18 PM
I just visited this back in March with my family and we all really enjoyed it! My dad keeps repeating that the Up Close tour is one of those rare moments that only happen once in a lifetime! We were very fortunate that day when the tour guide surprised us. He had us round the corner to be greeted by the Discovery orbiter. I think its being prepared to be shipped off in the next few days, if I'm not mistaken. But even so, it is definitely a worthwhile trip to take! I highly recommend paying it a visit! |
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 90
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
|
posted 04-27-2012 07:05 AM
This showed up yesterday in the VAB transfer aisle. I don't know if it's the pad abort prototype that was here earlier at the KSCVC Rocket Garden or if it's another test version. It has signatures all over it like the other one but doesn't look the same to me.Anyone have any opinions?  The AstroVan is on display in High Bay 4:  |
Glint
Member Posts: 663
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 04-27-2012 10:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by SpaceKSCBlog:
Anyone have any opinions?
It does not look like the Pad Abort boilerplate that has been on display recently at the Steven Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia (a photograph of which is posted on page 1 of this thread). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 26109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-27-2012 03:26 PM
There were two Pad Abort-1 boilerplates: the one that flew (which was previously displayed in the Vehicle Assembly Building and then moved temporarily to the Udvar-Hazy Center for Discovery's arrival) and this one, which was built at Langley Research Center, used as a fit-check vehicle at White Sands, and then trucked to Kennedy Space Center by way of a public tour (when it was signed by visitors). |
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 90
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
|
posted 04-27-2012 04:13 PM
So Robert, you're saying this is the one that was on display a few weeks back in the KSCVC Rocket Garden: I know some of it has been covered up with tape and plastic sheets, but to me the graffiti was different graffiti. Or maybe it was just a different angle. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 26109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-27-2012 10:48 AM
Space shuttle Atlantis will be rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on June 29, where it will remain until being rolled over to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1837
From: Daytona Beach, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 06-27-2012 03:20 PM
Atlantis is going to the VAB until August 16, when it will go back to the OPF and Endeavour will take its place in the VAB. |
NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
|
posted 08-09-2012 10:58 AM
I have the option to visit the KSC on August 22. Based on the above comments it seems that I would be able to see Endeavour if I took the tour - is that correct? Has there been any recent confirmation on when Endeavour will arrive in the VAB? Also, if I show up at the main gate would they be able to confirm a sighting on the Up Close tour? While I know that there are no guarantees I'd still like to have a good sense of my chances of seeing it before I commit. Thanks! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 26109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 08-09-2012 11:02 AM
Endeavour remains scheduled to swap places with Atlantis in the Vehicle Assembly Building on Aug. 16, so yes, on Aug. 22 — barring some unforeseen circumstance — Endeavour will be viewable on the tour. |
Victorinox
New Member Posts: 8
From: Miami, Florida, USA
Registered: Jul 2012
|
posted 08-13-2012 01:43 PM
Is Atlantis returning to the VAB before being towed to the Visitor's Complex on November? |
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 90
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
|
posted 08-15-2012 08:29 AM
I've seen the schedule. Atlantis and Endeavour swap tomorrow morning August 16. Endeavour remains in HB-4 until it leaves for California in mid-September. Atlantis will probably not return to the VAB but you never know. Right now, it's scheduled to move over to the KSCVC museum in November.The scuttlebutt is that construction in HB-3 and HB-1 is about to begin, so they don't want tours going through, and certainly not have to worry about exposing an orbiter to foreign object debris in the air -- even if they are decommissioned. |
SpaceKSCBlog
Member Posts: 90
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011
|
posted 08-20-2012 07:29 AM
Endeavour is parked much closer to the High Bay 4 fence than was Atlantis. The below photo is from the August 19 Up Close tour. |
Bob Montanaro
New Member Posts: 4
From:
Registered: May 2012
|
posted 08-25-2012 12:14 AM
Here are more photos of Endeavour taken on the 18 August 2012 KSC Up-Close VAB Tour. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 26109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 02-07-2013 07:03 PM
The limited KSC Up-Close: The Vehicle Assembly Building Tour has been extended through 2013. |
advertisement