Discovery: Deservicing and Retirement Updates

[robertross]

Update on the orbiter donations of MPS hardware to SLS, with some brilliant quotes from Ms Stilson via Philip Sloss' interview on behalf of the site, and some epic hardware photos from Brian Papke on behalf of the site.

We've got such a good team on this. Really couldn't of hoped for better.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/vehicle-record-sls-discovery-mps/

"It’s no secret how much the KSC workforce love the orbiters,...": and those here on NSF 

Another great article Chris. Thanks Phillip for providing us those quotes.

[brettreds2k]

Its funny because people who are not into the Shuttle Program cant understand how those who care for them and those of us who love the Space Program see the Orbiters as living machines and care for them as if they were people, BUT what they also fail to understand is that love for the Orbiters the people who cared for them had, is EXACTLY what brought them home safe every mission, the care and love that went into them is what kept them safe.

[Namechange User]

Its funny because people who are not into the Shuttle Program cant understand how those who care for them and those of us who love the Space Program see the Orbiters as living machines and care for them as if they were people, BUT what they also fail to understand is that love for the Orbiters the people who cared for them had, is EXACTLY what brought them home safe every mission, the care and love that went into them is what kept them safe.

Here is a possible way to explain it, via Star Trek - a franchise that has endured for 50 years and has been engrained into popular culture. 

The Enterprise is as much a character in the show as anyone else.  Even those who may not like Star Trek, "know" the Enterprise. 

Why do you think this is?  Is it because that fictional starship is a representation of what we want to become as culture and/or species?  That it reprensents the "better part" of what we can do?  And while we can't build starships just yet, we CAN build spaceships. 

And, at least for some of us, it's also just cool.  In addition, and in the most general sense, people have always had a somewhat romantic fascination with ships and vehicles.  This goes back to the days of the first sailing ships and can also be seen with how some take care of, modify/upgrade and baby their personal vehicles.   

Now these vehicles are committed to history, although there are still many who believe they went before their time.  And like the fictional Enterprise 1701, there will - eventually - be a 1701-A and so on. 

Cheese-factor is now "off". 

[mr. mark]

Reminds me of the saying "Which came first, the chicken or the egg" for some strange reason.

[brettreds2k]

Its funny because people who are not into the Shuttle Program cant understand how those who care for them and those of us who love the Space Program see the Orbiters as living machines and care for them as if they were people, BUT what they also fail to understand is that love for the Orbiters the people who cared for them had, is EXACTLY what brought them home safe every mission, the care and love that went into them is what kept them safe.

Here is a possible way to explain it, via Star Trek - a franchise that has endured for 50 years and has been engrained into popular culture. 

The Enterprise is as much a character in the show as anyone else.  Even those who may not like Star Trek, "know" the Enterprise. 

Why do you think this is?  Is it because that fictional starship is a representation of what we want to become as culture and/or species?  That it reprensents the "better part" of what we can do?  And while we can't build starships just yet, we CAN build spaceships. 

And, at least for some of us, it's also just cool.  In addition, and in the most general sense, people have always had a somewhat romantic fascination with ships and vehicles.  This goes back to the days of the first sailing ships and can also be seen with how some take care of, modify/upgrade and baby their personal vehicles.   

Now these vehicles are committed to history, although there are still many who believe they went before their time.  And like the fictional Enterprise 1701, there will - eventually - be a 1701-A and so on. 

Cheese-factor is now "off". 

I am one who will say they were retired well before their time, and just like when Columbia and Challenger were lost, I mourned for the orbiters just as much as the lives lost, because like so many, we see them as living machines, especially Columbia, I think she had a place in my heart cause she was the old lady, and was different than her sisters, and fought so hard to bring her crew home on that last flight.

[AnalogMan]

Good article in the current issue of Spaceport News:  Shuttle team reflects on permanent power-downs.

I've attached a pdf of the article itself, but you can find the full magazine (and archived issues) here:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html

[psloss]

Not sure where else this was posted here, but NASA-Kennedy also released this feature on their YouTube channel last week:
"Space Shuttle Era: Power Down"

[robertross]

Not sure where else this was posted here, but NASA-Kennedy also released this feature on their YouTube channel last week:
"Space Shuttle Era: Power Down"

(moist eyes moment)

Thanks for the link.

[nathan.moeller]

Does anyone know if there's a planned roll time for her tow to the SLF on Saturday April 14?  We're trying to coordinate some plans for coverage.  Thanks!

[Hodapp]

Got to see her in the VAB! 
What a work of art!

What a great privilege it was to see the Discovery inside of the VAB!  Unbelievable!

I was speechless inside the VAB!

Since STS-133 was my first shuttle launch, it was serendipitious that I got to see her all dressed up before leaving for her permanent resting place!

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-059

NASA ANNOUNCES EVENTS FOR SHUTTLE DISCOVERY DEPARTURE

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Events and operating hours for the Press Site
at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are set for space shuttle
Discovery's departure. A NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a
modified 747 jet, will transport Discovery to Washington Dulles
International Airport in Sterling, Va., on Tuesday, April 17.

Journalists are invited to cover the following events (all times are
EDT):

Tuesday, April 10
5:30 p.m. SCA arrival at Shuttle Landing Facility
-- Arrive at Press Site by 4 p.m. for 4:30 p.m. departure

Wednesday, April 11
9-11 a.m. Tour of SCA and interview opportunity with pilots and crew
-- Arrive at Press Site by 8 a.m. for 8:30 a.m. departure

12:10-3 p.m. Interview opportunities with United Space Alliance
employees involved with shuttle transition and retirement and
shuttle/SCA mate and demate operations
-- Arrive at Press Site by 11:40 a.m. for 11:55 a.m. departure

Saturday, April 14
5 a.m.-6 p.m. Discovery roll out from Vehicle Assembly Building's high
bay 4 to Shuttle Landing Facility Mate/Demate Device.

SCA/Discovery mating operations through 7 p.m.
-- Arrive at Press Site by 3:30 a.m. for 4 a.m. departure

Monday, April 16
7:30 a.m. SCA/Discovery back out of mate/demate device photo
opportunity
7:30-10:45 a.m. Interview opportunity with STS-133 crew members and
space shuttle transition and retirement managers
-- Arrive at Press Site by 6:15 a.m. for 6:30 departure

Tuesday, April 17
Discovery departs at first light (approximately 7 a.m.)

4:45 a.m. Buses begin departing for Shuttle Landing Facility Mid-point


6:45 a.m. NASA TV live coverage of shuttle Discovery's departure

7-9 a.m. Interview opportunities with STS-133 crew members at Shuttle
Landing Facility Mid-point

Any updates on departure media activities will be available at
321-867-2525.

Media Accreditation
U.S. journalists wanting to cover the arrival of the SCA must apply
for credentials by Friday, April 6. Accreditation for international
news media for the arrival is closed.

To cover Discovery's departure on Tuesday, April 17, the deadline for
international journalists is Monday, April 9. For U.S. journalists,
the deadline is Monday, April 16.

Media representatives must apply for credentials online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Kennedy Press Site Office Hours for Discovery Departure Activities
Times may be adjusted in real-time depending on events and timelines.

Tuesday, April 10: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 12: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 13: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 3:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, April 15: Closed
Monday, April 16: 5:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17: 4 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Kennedy Press Accreditation Office Hours
Tuesday, April 10: Noon-4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday, April 12: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, April 13: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 3 a.m.-9 a.m.
Sunday, April 15: Closed
Monday, April 16: 5 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17: 3:30 a.m.-5:30 a.m.

After arriving at Washington Dulles, Discovery will be removed from
the SCA and moved to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. for permanent public
display on Thursday, April 19.

For more information on the preparations of shuttle orbiters for
public display, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/transition

       
-end-

[collectSPACE]

Air and space: NASA aircraft to take flight for shuttle delivery
http://collectspace.com/news/news-040412a.html

"They're going to be flying to various locations and taking photographic imagery to scout out possible routes and the areas that they might want to fly over if weather will permit on the day of Discovery's arrival," NASA spokesman Mike Curie said. "These flights will help determine how viable it might be to do a flyover of Washington with the shuttle carrier aircraft."

[TheFallen]

Discovery and the Astrovan on display together inside the VAB

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=8

[Chris Bergin]

New and final thread for her

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28599.0