Time With An Icon - Photo Dump

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 11/07/2014 at 10:13 • Filed to: Space Shuttle, nasa

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I snuck away from the conference I was attending in LA on Thursday and headed south. There was a Space Shuttle 20 minutes away and I was going to see it. Endeavour did not disappoint. She is a beautiful machine.

I also spent about an hour talking with a docent about the shuttle. He work for 20 years as a materials and process engineer for Rockwell and worked on the program from 1978 to 1986. We talked about the details such as the asymmetrical nose landing gear doors, the little hatch to get access to the cargo bay from the left side of the fuselage, the cargo bay door hinges and other details. That was basically what I spent my time doing. Just taking in the details.

The grime and burn marks are badges of honor. The surroundings and display of the shuttle are humble, but I enjoyed how accessible it was. In a few years it will be joined to a stack and raised into a vertical position. I'm sure it will be spectacular, but I'm glad I was able to get close to it like this.

Chris Clarke > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 10:17

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I am very jealous and also glad your have correct sightseeing priorities while traveling.

ly2v8-Brian > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 10:19

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lucky

DoYouEvenShift > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 10:21

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Those are great pics! Very jealous over here! Amazing machines for sure!

MrPseudonym > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 10:27

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You're making a very specific Oppo very very very very jealous.

Bastard. :)

Rock Bottom > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 10:52

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YES! Great pics of a great machine. A true engineering triumph.

Fur fun, here's proof that NASA engineers and techs have a sense of humor!

Jayhawk Jake > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 11:24

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I saw it last year. Not going to lie, I found the whole experience depressing.

I mean sure, it's really neat to see, and I'm glad I got to, but I felt like the ENTIRE exhibit was just frustrating. They had this huge gallery about getting it to the museum, and letters from kids that were inspired by seeing it roll down the street...

It felt like being at a child's funeral. It's a life cut far too short. As cool as it is to see a shuttle up close (I've seen two now) it belongs in orbit, docked to the ISS.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 11:56

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Do you have any idea what these are panels for?

f86sabre > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 11/07/2014 at 12:56

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They are embilical connections for engines and systems in the afternoon part of the orbiter. They are used prior to launch and after landing.

f86sabre > Chris Clarke 11/07/2014 at 12:59

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I hit the In-N-Out at Lax last niget for dinner and Randy's Donuts for breakfast as well

f86sabre > Jayhawk Jake 11/07/2014 at 13:01

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Yeah, I'm with you there, what is is. Unfortunately, Same could be said for the F-14 and same was said for the end of Apollo. Three Saturn Vs were left to rot.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 13:10

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I see, that makes sense.

BTW spellcheck kicked your butt.

Jayhawk Jake > f86sabre 11/07/2014 at 13:27

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I don't feel the same about fighters, mostly because I don't lust after warplanes

f86sabre > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 11/07/2014 at 14:03

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I hate that. Not sure who is worse Applease or Android.