This night, Sept. 19th, we found out for sure we are in the 'deep south'.
Pine trees with moss dripping off the branches.
In this case, we are just 5 miles north of the Florida border, in
a KOA in Lake Park, GA
On Sunday, Sept. 21st, we drove over to the Space Center from our
RV Park in Kissimmee (just south of Orlando).
A view of the Rocket Garden shows many of the older models.
A clever gate design.
The enormous Vehicle Assembly Building. (VAB)
To give you an idea of the size, the blue field of the flag is the size of a NBA basketball court.
The stars are 6 feet across.
On this view, we see the doors, which permit the Space Shuttle to
move out of the building to the lift off pad.
The building to the left contains the Launch Control Center
The interior of the VAB
We fortunate, the first time since 2001, and this will be the last time,
to see two Space Shuttles on their pads.
Pad 39-A holds the Atlantis, which is scheduled to lift off in October for a
Hubble Telescope repair mission, while on Pad 39-B, we see
the Endeavour, (fifth and final NASA space shuttle to be built) which is on stand-by for a rescue mission, if the
Atlantis runs into trouble. If not needed for that, it will then be used for
a scheduled Space Station re-supply mission later in October.
(Above and below, Pad 39-A and 39-B)
Atlas V pad, still active
The Hubble Space Telescope (1997)
NASA Photo
Delta pad, still active.
Both of these pads are currently being used for launches of
communication,
weather, GPS and other national defense satellites.
The VAB with the Crawler Transporter road leading off to the right
The roadway for the six million pound Crawler Transporter.
NASA Photos
A closer look at the track tread tracks which are still in view after the movement of
the Space Shuttle Endeavour just a two days ago. (Sept. 19, Friday.)
In memory....
We are shown the launch control room, as it was for the Saturn V launch
We see a film of the actual Saturn V launch, from the control room
perspective, with the lights flashing, and "all that stuff."
The Apollo/Saturn V rocket engine, and associated parts is enormous.
The view appears to go out of sight to the right...
This graphic shows how large it really is.
363 feet long. A football field is 360 feet long
A Lunar Module
Jean touches a piece of moon rock
A prototype test lunar rover.
Eugene A. Cernan driving the Lunar Roving Vehicle, Apollo 17, 1972
NASA Photo
Within the International Space Station Assembly Center
we see parts being assembled and tested for future delivery to the space station...
...in this very large clean room.
It was a Sunday, so we were not able to see any activity. Too bad.
Space Station, 2001
NASA Photo
A view inside a Space Station "crew quarters."
A sleeping sack is on the left.
The full sized replica, with actual internal equipment of a space shuttle
The cargo bay of a Space Shuttle. 15 feet wide
by 59 feet long.
Space Shuttle, Load Bay doors open
(Space Shuttle Challenger, 1983)
NASA Photo
... and, of course, before we left, we had our picture taken with an "Astronaut."
We spent the large
part of one day here, could have used two.
Very interesting !
(If you go, make sure you make reservations for any of the tours
in ADVANCE. They sell out quickly.)
On Sept. 23rd, we left the Orlando and Space Center area, and traveled west to Sarasota
to spend a few days at the “Villa Olivera” and our friends Hector and Lieve Olivera.
Click for a link to their web site.
The "Villa Olivera" in Sarasota.
Their new home.
Hector & Lieve greet us to their new gorgeous "Villa"
Inside, it is just right for Hector and Lieve's taste's and interests.
Some work space for Hector
(Above & below)
The home abounds with personal memento's from their travels far and wide
and their interests. Here, the composer of Laura inscribed a personal note to Hector.
The home's area is perfect to showcase the Rodgers Instrument
and the glorious voices resound throughout the home.
We talk Hector into providing us with a private concert.
Welcome to the home with music, the "Villa Olivera"
Before we left, we stared into the sun for a farewell photo...
...and a farewell dinner.
We left Sarasota, and Florida on September 26th to start our long drive home.
Click along with us on the "Heading west toward San Antonio" link.