Real Life Space (shuttle) porn

[lizardbeth]

Kidlet is doing a project of making a space shuttle, so I had to go find some pics. I found some rather nifty ones, of views you don't often see.

So here, have some pics.



Discovery




Atlantis leaving the VAB (vehicle assembly building) to travel the 3 mi to the launch facility.


Enroute:



The Endeavour recently landed in California, so it had to be carried back to Florida on the back of the 747, which will never stop being cool. Except when they stop flying the shuttles, which is real soon now.

Takeoff from Edwards AFB:


In flight:


At Kennedy, crane assembly for removing the orbiter from the 747.




so, there, a non-fannish picspam. Unless you're a fan of space and the space program and, y'know, real people doing real shit in real space.

Comments

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

I always wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid. Also, it's not often that it's relevant for me to turn five and go, "My dad used to work on the space shuttle!"

=)

You know, it still amazes me how much effort they have to put into getting that thing into space.

[lizardbeth-j.livejournal.com]

Hee! v. cool.

Yeah, it's not exactly like an airplane, is it?

[mamaboolj.livejournal.com]

NW is going love these! I think I'll wait and DL them until I'm on the family computer and then put them right into his account in a special folder. when the did the x-country trip on the back of the 747, I kept showing him pictures of the progress.

Thanks!

[lizardbeth-j.livejournal.com]

cool! They have higher-res versions at nasa too. As well as a METRIC TON of other pics. I mean, for reals, pages and pages - not just the shuttle of course, but gorgeous Hubble space pics, archive photos, just endless. kidlet sat on my lap and we flipped through the Images of the Day. (we are learning about black holes - I am pretty sure I knew nothing of black holes until the movie came out in '80 or whenever. WHY ARE THEY SO SMART? *g* )

[mamaboolj.livejournal.com]

*headdesk*

I'm such an idiot. Hubby and I periodically check out the Hubble pics, but I have never thought of looking there for images of the space shuttle or rockets blasting off, which is one of NWs favorite things right now. He's drawing really awesome pictures of takeoffs and rocket ships in space. Last night we rode in a rocket ship. At first he said to Earth, and I'm thinking "Oh goodie! We're role playing BSG." But then his dad said, "How about Venus?" I glared at hubby.

I don't know why they are so smart...it scares me and makes me proud all all at the same time!

[lizardbeth-j.livejournal.com]

heh. the archive ones (like if you want Saturn V pics those are buried a bit), but there's tons.

aw. I wish you didn't live across the country, our guys could have such fun together! *pout* kid is all into space things right now too - drawing rockets too, and learning about the planets, and watching shows about it.

And Mythbusters. It gets really hilarious when he starts making up "myths" to bust and role plays the whole show...

[ellestra.livejournal.com]

Unless you're a fan of space and the space program and, y'know, real people doing real shit in real space.
How did you know?
And space shuttles are my favourites. I love their orca look.

[mamaboolj.livejournal.com]

(Someone has a message he'd like to share with you.)

Happy space shuttle.

(He liked the pictures very much. Thanks for sharing them.)

[lizardbeth-j.livejournal.com]

aw. Happy Space Shuttle to him too! :)