Go SBIRS! Go AtlasV! Go Centaur!

For two-days starting Monday March 18, 2013 ULA hosted it's inaugural tweetup for 30 space social media followers. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the launch on the second day but I hope you enjoy these photos from day one!

We started at the Air Force Space and Missile History Center, located in Cape Canaveral just outside the entrance to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They have a wonderful free tour of the CCAFS on Wednesdays & Thursdays. (edited to add: these are currently not running)

A console from the Gemini-launch era inside the History Center. It was used to test Titan II rockets and was located in launch complex 19.

My tweetup lanyard. :) I'll add it to my growing collection.

This event was located at Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41). The Vertical Integration Facility, where the vehicle is assembled. The vehicle is a ULA built Atlas V in  the 401 configuration with a 4-meter payload fairing encapsulating the SBIRS Geo-2 satellite, attached to a Centaur second-stage.

You can see the rocket just starting to roll-out from the VIF just to the right. It travels slightly faster than the space shuttle, at a rate of about 2-3 mph.

At this point we're about 20 minutes into the rollout, as it travels 1/4 mile to the launch pad.

Approximately 45 minutes later, it arrives at the SLC-41.

During the roll-out, I enjoyed the view from Camera Pad 3 of the historical Astronaut Beach House.

A panorama with the Atlantic to the east and SLC-41 just to our northwest.  ...and the Atlantic Ocean

Old lightning detectors, no longer in use.  

A view of the side of the VIF from where the vehicle rolled out. Following the rollout, the ULA group was transported by bus to the launch pad.

Here's a closeup of the Centaur with the American flag, Air Force, Atlas V, and ULA logos. The satellite is enclosed within the conical payload fairing. You can sleep a little better tonight knowing that this satellite is in space. The  Space-Based Infrared System in geosynchronous orbit(aka  SBIRS GEO-2) was built by Lockheed Martin for the Department of Defense.

My friend and photographer Bob Montanaro of lunarcabin.com in front of the rocket.
















Another panorama, this time of SLC-41 with the vehicle on the pad being prepped for launch. If you pan around, you can see the VIF and the general surrounding area.

My iPhone photo of the rocket, ready for action. I like it!

Later in the day we visited the Morrell Operations Center, where we toured the Air Force Launch Control room and weather monitoring center.



Colonel Jim Planeaux

Models of the Atlas and Delta rockets inside the Atlantis Space Operations Center, site of the ULA launch control room (and lunch!)

For detailed photos of the launch itself, please visit lunarcabin.com!

ISS Crew Educational Video

I LOVE these videos from onboard ISS when they interact with schoolchildren. The children always ask such wonderful questions and I love watching the reactions of the crew.

In this video:
Kevin Ford (USA)
Chris Hadfield (CAN)
Tom Marshburn (USA)

Look who was on the side of the road

Recognize him? One of my favorite actors, filming something (a PSA?) near one of the launchpads at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Luke Wilson. 

RECAP: Day 1 - NASA Social Atlantis

NASA is definitely OPEN for business in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The development of the new Orion capsule and Space Launch System as well as active programs for commercial transport of astronauts to low earth orbit mean that KSC is a hub of activity.

Yesterday the NASA Social group toured the facilities and received updates from NASA leaders on all the changes and developments. We continue today with the rollover of Space Shuttle Atlantis into it's beautiful new home at Kennedy Space Center. I hope you enjoy a few highlights from yesterday.

Please be sure to follow me on twitter @rusewcrazy and instagram @rusewcrazy for more updates throughout the day.

Also, for some really cool 360 degree views please see my Occipital 360 Panorama page - http://occipital.com/user/89d3-662758/aimee-gravelle 

Lots of photos below, I apologize they aren't in any great order. Please holler at me if you have ANY questions either about my experience or what is happening at NASA. I will be more than happy to try to get those answered for you.

John McBride and Bob Crippen. NASA astronauts. They were outside the NASA admin building while we were waiting for our hard hat tours of Atlantis' new home.

Joe Oppold leading my group on the new home for Atlantis, currently under construction now with a target opening of July 4, 2013.

Mr. Oppold explaining the exterior finish of the structure.

This is looking inside the building where Atlantis will be rolled in on November 2nd. It will be tilted at a 43.21 degree angle as if in flight. Once secure inside, a wall will be built to fully enclose the space shuttle.

The exterior of the main facade. The "swoosh" will be covered with a copper material which will change color depending on the time of day. It is designed to mimic the color of Atlantis as it goes through reentry into the atmosphere of the Earth.

A sample of the copper material to be used on the facade "swoosh". The upper portion of the facade will have tiles representing those found on the shuttle.

Jason Townsend of NASA leading roll call on the bus. Bueller, Bueller.

The NASA news center. It's a lot smaller than it seems on TV.

Launch pad (either 39-A or B, I will verify). Remains in shuttle configuration. NASA working with partners who may share this space for commercial use.

Bob Crippen.

A piece of space-flown material received in our swag bag. Pays to be a NASA Social participant!

The VAB - Vehicle Assembly Building. Holy Grail for space geeks.

Jules Schneider of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin built a facility onsite to facilitate the construction of the Orion Capsule.

The famous countdown clock, located outside the Press center.

Angela Brewer, flow manager for the Atlantis program. Everyone at NASA is committed and friendly and she's a perfect example. She got a little emotional discussing the loyalty of the NASA staff let go at the end of the shuttle program.

ME on the hard hat tour. Yay! :)

Yes, yes it is. One of my favorite actors was filming near the launch pad. LUKE WILSON.

Press Room.

Where visitors will enter to see Atlantis.

There she is, Space Shuttle Atlantis. One of the last photos that will be taken of her inside the VAB as tomorrow she moves out into her forever home.