COVER STORY Countdown to Atlantis’ next mission: 5, 4, 3, 2,1 · Atlantis? a. Jerry Ross b....
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F or more than 30 years, watching the bright flame of a space shuttle rocketing toward space until it was no more than a blip in the sky was one of the joys of living in Brevard. Starting Saturday, you can get an up-close and personal view of shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in a setting that shows off just how magnificent that blip really is. The newest attraction at KSC opens with great fanfare. Tonight, as part of the VIP experience, there will be refreshments and music with guest speakers. The same goes for Saturday morning. Close to 50 astronauts are on the guest list with at least one from each of Atlantis’ 33 missions. Apollo astronauts also are expected to attend. “Atlantis is on display as she would be normally in flight. It’s the first time ever that a lot of people are going to see her this close,” said Tim Macy, director of project development for Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts. “Here we are dealing with a national treasure,” Macy said. With a cost of $1.66 billion, “it’s a priceless artifact.” Through logistical and engineering feats, the shuttle was tilted at a 43-degree angle with her payload doors open. Visitors can walk under, around or “nose level” to the massive craft. During the planning phase, thousands of pictures were taken. Those images later helped organizers choose the blueprint for how Atlantis would be displayed — the view an astronaut would get as he or she looked out the International Space Station window as Atlantis was pulling away. How it began Although KSC wasn’t officially announced as Atlantis’ permanent home until April 2011, the idea for the exhibit came about five years ago, with development starting a couple years later and construction going on for the past 17 months. Delaware North worked with engineers from NASA, a design team and technical adviser. The $100 million project was funded through money borrowed from Space Florida, money generated from KSC Visitor Complex admission fees and money made from food and merchandise, Macy said. No government funds or tax dollars were used. Atlantis was wrapped in plastic before her big move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the state-of-the-art exhibit facility last fall. That 90,000-square-foot building boasts an impressive theater, giant LED screens and 1,700 light fixtures. Quotes from people who played a role in the Atlantis program line the walls along with breathtaking photography of the shuttle and its glory. “The bird itself, everyone thinks it’s slick and going to be pretty. But we’re showing you what it looked like when it landed after STS-135,” Macy said. “It went straight from the landing strip, over to the orbiter processing facility, and then in November, we rolled it over here and lifted it up 30 feet and tipped it at 43 degrees.” NASA offered to clean it up and make it pristine, he added, but the team wanted the space dust to remain. What to expect Along with Atlantis, the exhibit features more than 60 interactive displays, continuous films in a theater and in the display area. An impressive mockup of the Hubble Space Telescope hangs near the gift shop. A 1983 airstream used by astronauts for various events is on display, as well as an astrovan, the vehicle used to ferry astronauts to and from launches and landings. The gift shop features space-themed artwork and an area where guests can dress up like astronauts for photo ops. The play zone features a giant slide and “astronaut training” exercises. Pop-culture phenomenon Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central makes a special appearance in the exhibit — via a NASA treadmill. In 2009 during a NASA contest, the political pundit lobbied to name one of the rooms at the ISS after him. “Colbert” beat out NASA suggestions Serenity, Legacy, Earthrise and Venture. As a compromise, NASA introduced the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill. The treadmill is used for exercising in space. You can see Colbert’s “mission patch” at KSC. COVER STORY Countdown to Atlantis’ next mission: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... 7. Atlantis holds the distinction of having the quickest turnaround time between two missions of any orbiter. It occurred after its maiden voyage. How quickly was the orbiter turned around from its first flight to its second? a. 12 days b. 27 days c. 54 days d. 99 days 8. STS-46, launched on July 31, 1992, had astronauts from two countries that had not before had a citizen flown into space. They were Claude Nicollier of Switzerland and Franco Malerba of what country? a. Italy b. Spain c. Mexico d. Argentina 9. STS-117, launched on June 8, 2007, was the longest duration space flight mission by Atlantis. How long was it? a. 10 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes, 19 seconds b. 11 days, 11 hours, 11 minutes, 11 seconds c. 13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes, 44 seconds d. 16 days, 2 hours, 31 minutes, 6 seconds 10. Atlantis was featured in three major motion pictures during the course of its service. Which of the following is NOT one of those three movies? a. “2001: A Space Odyssey” b. “SpaceCamp” c. “Deep Impact” d. “Armageddon” How’d you do? Answers, Page 23 TRIVIA Grand opening at KSC Visitor Complex is Saturday By Jennifer Sangalang FLORIDA TODAY Test your shuttle Atlantis knowledge By Tim Walters FLORIDA TODAY Contact Walters at 321-242-3681 or [email protected]. Twitter: @twaltersinforms OTHER FUN AT KSC » Angry Birds Space Encounter: This interactive exhibit opened March 21. NASA collaborated with KSC, calling the project an opportunity to encourage young people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Exhibits include the Eggsteroids Slingshot target game, Red Planet Lazer Challenge and Danger Zone, a mirror maze. Included with general admission. » Shuttle Launch Experience: Guests get to feel like an astronaut, checking out the sights, sounds and sensations in the shuttle launch simulator. Included with general admission. » U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame: The museum features exhibits, artifacts, space memorabilia and various displays from space missions through the years. You can learn about our nation’s history in the space program and who played an important part leading the missions. Open from noon to 5 p.m. daily. Included with general admission, allows for a second day at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame » Astronaut Training Experience: KSC’s ATX program takes you through a shuttle mission simulation, astronaut training exercises and hands-on space exploration activities at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Reservations required for the half-day program. Cost is $145 for those 14 and older. ATX family prices are $175 for those12 and older, $165 for ages 7 to11. 1. How many astronauts flew on shuttle Atlantis? a. 77 b. 101 c. 156 d. 275 2. What astronaut holds the record for most flights aboard Atlantis? a. Jerry Ross b. Charles Bolden c. Robert Cabana d. Ken Bowersox 3. Atlantis was the first orbiter to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir on mission STS-71. What year did that take place? a. 1991 b. 1995 c. 1999 d. 2001 4. STS-71 held another major milestone. What was it? a. Atlantis surpassed 100,000,000 miles flown in space. b. It was Atlantis’ longest mission. c. It had four first-time astronauts. d. It was the 100th U.S. manned space flight. 5. How many times did Atlantis land at Edwards Air Force Base? a. 3 b. 6 c. 9 d. 13 6. Atlantis is roughly 122 feet long and 57 feet tall. About how much did it weigh when it had its three shuttle engines attached? a. 52,000 pounds b. 176,000 pounds c. 378,000 pounds d. 942,000 pounds Atlantis is tilted with its payload bay doors open. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY PAGE 12 TGIF FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013 FLORIDA TODAY FLORIDA TODAY FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013 TGIF PAGE 13 THE DETAILS What: Atlantis exhibit When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Where: KSC Visitor Complex on State Road 405 Cost: Admission is $50 for adults, $40 for ages 3 to11. Info: Call 866-737-5235 or visit kennedyspacecenter.com. Send a Tweet to @exploreksc In the Angry Birds Space Encounter at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have the opportunity to experience seven interactive exhibits. MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central makes an appearance in the exhibit — via a NASA treadmill. See a video of the exhibit at florida today.com/atlantis. FOR FLORIDA TODAY At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, construction crews have just completed the $100 million, 90,000-square-foot facility that showcases the space shuttle Atlantis. TIM SHORTT/FLORIDA TODAY At KSC Visitors Center, guests at Space Shuttle Atlantis are greeted by a full-scale, upright external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY
Transcript of COVER STORY Countdown to Atlantis’ next mission: 5, 4, 3, 2,1 · Atlantis? a. Jerry Ross b....
For more than 30 years,watching the bright flameof a space shuttlerocketing toward space
until it was no more than a blipin the sky was one of the joys ofliving in Brevard.
Starting Saturday, you canget an up-close and personalview of shuttle Atlantis atKennedy Space Center VisitorComplex in a setting that showsoff just howmagnificent thatblip really is.
The newest attraction at KSCopens with great fanfare.Tonight, as part of the VIPexperience, there will berefreshments and music withguest speakers. The same goesfor Saturday morning. Close to50 astronauts are on the guestlist with at least one from eachof Atlantis’ 33 missions. Apolloastronauts also are expected toattend.
“Atlantis is on display as shewould be normally in flight. It’sthe first time ever that a lot ofpeople are going to see her thisclose,” said TimMacy, directorof project development forDelaware North CompaniesParks and Resorts.
“Here we are dealing with anational treasure,” Macy said.With a cost of $1.66 billion, “it’s apriceless artifact.”
Through logistical andengineering feats, the shuttlewas tilted at a 43-degree anglewith her payload doors open.Visitors can walk under, aroundor “nose level” to the massivecraft. During the planningphase, thousands of pictureswere taken. Those images laterhelped organizers choose theblueprint for how Atlantis wouldbe displayed— the view anastronaut would get as he or she
looked out the InternationalSpace Station window asAtlantis was pulling away.
How it beganAlthough KSC wasn’t officiallyannounced as Atlantis’permanent home until April2011, the idea for the exhibitcame about five years ago, withdevelopment starting a coupleyears later and constructiongoing on for the past 17 months.Delaware North worked withengineers from NASA, a designteam and technical adviser.
The $100 million project wasfunded through moneyborrowed from Space Florida,money generated fromKSCVisitor Complex admission feesand money made from food andmerchandise, Macy said. Nogovernment funds or tax dollars
were used.Atlantis was wrapped in
plastic before her big movefrom the Vehicle AssemblyBuilding to the state-of-the-artexhibit facility last fall. That90,000-square-foot buildingboasts an impressive theater,giant LED screens and 1,700light fixtures. Quotes frompeople who played a role in theAtlantis program line the wallsalong with breathtakingphotography of the shuttle andits glory.
“The bird itself, everyonethinks it’s slick and going to bepretty. But we’re showing youwhat it looked like when itlanded after STS-135,” Macysaid. “It went straight from thelanding strip, over to the orbiterprocessing facility, and then inNovember, we rolled it over
here and lifted it up 30 feet andtipped it at 43 degrees.”
NASA offered to clean it upand make it pristine, he added,but the teamwanted the spacedust to remain.
What to expectAlong with Atlantis, the exhibitfeatures more than 60interactive displays, continuousfilms in a theater and in thedisplay area. An impressivemockup of the Hubble SpaceTelescope hangs near the giftshop.
A 1983 airstream used byastronauts for various events ison display, as well as anastrovan, the vehicle used toferry astronauts to and fromlaunches and landings. The giftshop features space-themedartwork and an area where
guests can dress up likeastronauts for photo ops.
The play zone features a giantslide and “astronaut training”exercises.
Pop-culture phenomenonStephen Colbert of “The ColbertReport” on Comedy Centralmakes a special appearance inthe exhibit — via a NASAtreadmill. In 2009 during aNASA contest, the politicalpundit lobbied to name one ofthe rooms at the ISS after him.“Colbert” beat out NASAsuggestions Serenity, Legacy,Earthrise and Venture. As acompromise, NASA introducedthe Combined Operational LoadBearing External ResistanceTreadmill. The treadmill is usedfor exercising in space. You cansee Colbert’s “mission patch” atKSC.
COVER STORY
Countdown to Atlantis’ next mission: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...7. Atlantis holds the distinctionof having the quickestturnaround time between twomissions of any orbiter. Itoccurred after its maidenvoyage. How quickly was theorbiter turned around from itsfirst flight to its second?
a. 12 daysb. 27 daysc. 54 daysd. 99 days
8. STS-46, launched on July 31,1992, had astronauts from twocountries that had not beforehad a citizen flown into space.They were Claude Nicollier ofSwitzerland and FrancoMalerba of what country?
a. Italyb. Spainc. Mexicod. Argentina
9. STS-117, launched on June 8,2007, was the longest durationspace flight mission byAtlantis. How longwas it?
a. 10 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes,19 seconds
b. 11 days, 11 hours, 11minutes,11 seconds
c. 13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes,44 seconds
d. 16 days, 2 hours, 31minutes,6 seconds
10. Atlantis was featured inthreemajor motion picturesduring the course of its service.Which of the following is NOTone of those threemovies?
a. “2001: A Space Odyssey”b. “SpaceCamp”c. “Deep Impact”d. “Armageddon”
How’d you do? Answers,Page 23
TRIVIAGrand openingat KSC VisitorComplex is SaturdayBy Jennifer SangalangFLORIDA TODAY
Test your shuttle Atlantis knowledgeBy TimWaltersFLORIDA TODAY
Contact Walters at 321-242-3681or [email protected]: @twaltersinforms
OTHER FUN AT KSC» Angry Birds Space Encounter: Thisinteractive exhibit opened March 21. NASAcollaborated with KSC, calling the project anopportunity to encourage young people in theSTEM (science, technology, engineering andmathematics) subjects. Exhibits include theEggsteroids Slingshot target game, Red PlanetLazer Challenge and Danger Zone, a mirrormaze. Included with general admission.» Shuttle Launch Experience: Guests get tofeel like an astronaut, checking out the sights,sounds and sensations in the shuttle launchsimulator. Included with general admission.» U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame: The museumfeatures exhibits, artifacts, space memorabiliaand various displays from space missionsthrough the years. You can learn about ournation’s history in the space program and whoplayed an important part leading the missions.Open from noon to 5 p.m. daily. Included withgeneral admission, allows for a second day atthe U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame» Astronaut Training Experience: KSC’s ATXprogram takes you through a shuttle missionsimulation, astronaut training exercises andhands-on space exploration activities at the U.S.Astronaut Hall of Fame. Reservations requiredfor the half-day program. Cost is $145 for those14 and older. ATX family prices are $175 forthose 12 and older, $165 for ages 7 to 11.
1. Howmany astronauts flewon shuttle Atlantis?
a. 77b. 101c. 156d. 275
2. What astronaut holds therecord for most flights aboardAtlantis?
a. Jerry Rossb. Charles Boldenc. Robert Cabanad. Ken Bowersox
3. Atlantis was the first orbiterto dock with the Russian SpaceStationMir onmission STS-71.What year did that take place?
a. 1991b. 1995c. 1999d. 2001
4. STS-71held another majormilestone. What was it?
a. Atlantis surpassed100,000,000 miles flown in space.
b. It was Atlantis’ longestmission.
c. It had four first-timeastronauts.
d. It was the 100th U.S. mannedspace flight.
5. Howmany times did Atlantisland at Edwards Air Force Base?
a. 3b. 6c. 9d. 13
6. Atlantis is roughly 122 feetlong and 57 feet tall. Abouthowmuch did it weighwhen ithad its three shuttle enginesattached?
a. 52,000 poundsb. 176,000 poundsc. 378,000 poundsd. 942,000 pounds
Atlantis is tilted with its payload baydoors open. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY
PAGE 12 TGIF FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013 FLORIDA TODAY FLORIDA TODAY FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013 TGIF PAGE 13
THE DETAILSWhat: Atlantis exhibitWhen: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. dailyWhere: KSC Visitor Complex onState Road 405Cost: Admission is $50 foradults, $40 for ages 3 to 11.Info: Call 866-737-5235 or visitkennedyspacecenter.com. Senda Tweet to @exploreksc
In the Angry Birds Space Encounter at Kennedy SpaceCenter Visitor Complex, guests have the opportunity toexperience seven interactive exhibits.MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY
Stephen Colbert of“The ColbertReport” on ComedyCentral makes anappearance in theexhibit— via aNASA treadmill. Seea video of theexhibit at floridatoday.com/atlantis.FOR FLORIDA TODAY
At Kennedy Space Center VisitorComplex, construction crews havejust completed the $100 million,90,000-square-foot facility thatshowcases the space shuttleAtlantis. TIM SHORTT/FLORIDA TODAY
At KSC Visitors Center,guests at Space ShuttleAtlantis are greeted bya full-scale, uprightexternal fuel tankand two solidrocket boosters.RIK JESSE/FLORIDA
TODAY
