Have you every visited Kennedy Space Center in person?

[Rick]

Have you every visited Kennedy Space Center in person?

If so, in what respect? What kind of tour? Or did you get "Inside"? If so, what did you see?

[kraisee]

I've done the tours enough times that I can recite the tour guide's monologue for you. And I've had a couple of unusual visits too.

Seen four Shuttle launches from the NASA Causeway, seen two from the VIP area by the Saturn-V Center and one from just next to the Press Site. Seen every launch since STS-97 from within 20 miles and a whole lot of unmanned launches too.

Done an open day including wandering around inside the VAB - man that place is big! Also got into a couple of Launch Control rooms and the SRB & SSME facilities and saw Endeavour (my baby!) inside her OPF with her engines off and RCS Pods detached.

I've walked on the launch tower which sent Armstrong/Aldrin/Collins to the moon before it was cut up for scrap.

And I've walked in the Flame Trench at Pad B, as well as on top of the Concrete Hardstand below the Rotating Service Structure.


I've been *way* luckier than most people though and most of my luck is in knowing some really great people who have enabled me to experience such fantastic things.

Ross.

[Rick]

Your luck improved substantially, with Kath's and my invitations to you and your better half to events, I dare say.