Mission to Cape Canaveral '99
Day 7 - Wednesday, November 10, 1999

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This day started with the third and final visit to the AMSAT Lab. I had intended to help as a volunteer with some odd-jobs but had to curtail that activity due to a cold I had caught somewhere earlier in the trip. We took a few more pictures of P3D.

Then I went to Titusville to scout out potential launch viewing locations. The whole Banana River shoreline of the town looks acceptable and the place seems friendly. Parking will probably be the main issue when there's a launch going on.

Then I went to KSC again. Now, obviously nothing can compare with the tour I got at the Open House several days earlier. But I didn't know if all the photos turned out OK so some of this was an insurance policy against that. Also there hadn't been enough time to see everything. I wanted to finish the tour of the Saturn V Center which had to be cut short back in 1997 to go see the STS-86 launch. I also wanted to see some other stuff at the visitor center like another IMAX movie and the "Rocket Garden". I skipped the Space Station exhibit since I'd seen it several days earlier and needed the time in order to catch the visitor center stuff.

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(1536x1024 468K) (500x337 27K) AMSAT Phase 3D satellite in the AMSAT Integration Lab, Orlando, Florida.

(1536x1024 470K) (500x334 28K) Phase 3D in the lab.

(1536x1024 416K) (500x335 19K) The "coccoon" ring which mates Phase 3D to an Ariane 4 or 5 rocket.

(1536x1024 462K) (500x334 21K) A slightly more elevated view of Phase 3D's cocoon ring.

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(1536x1024 460K) (500x334 20K) Exploring for launch-viewing spots in Titusville, Florida - looking across the Banana River at the shuttle launch pads and VAB.

(1536x1024 478K) (500x334 23K) Exploring for launch-viewing spots in Titusville, Florida - the town seems like it'll be friendly to visitors on launch days. The sign says "Free parking for shuttle launch". The VAB is visible across the Banana River.

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(1536x1024 488K) (500x336 22K) This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's Launch Complex 39A as viewed from the tourist observation platform.

(1536x1024 533K) (500x334 20K) This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's Launch Complex 39b as viewed from the tourist observation platform.

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(1536x1024 495K) (500x334 21K) This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's the VAB as viewed from the tourist observation platform.

(1536x1024 509K) (500x334 21K) These are two of the expendable rocket launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, as viewed from the same tourist observation platform as the previous pictures.

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(1536x1024 672K) (500x334 36K) A real Saturn V rocket which was built but not yet launched when the program was cancelled. This is now the heart of the display at the new Saturn V Center at KSC.

(1536x1024 727K) (500x334 39K) The Saturn V is a really big rocket. Even today, nothing compares...

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(1536x1024 533K) (500x334 33K) Saturn V, second stage on display at the Saturn V Center.

(1536x1024 563K) (500x334 37K) Saturn V, third stage on display at the Saturn V Center.

(1536x1024 508K) (500x334 29K) Apollo command module at the Saturn V Center.

(1536x1024 675K) (500x334 37K) Seated with a Pepsi at the eating area, I took this picture straight up at the LEM (Lunar lander) which was haning above me.

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(1536x1024 933K) (500x334 25K) Of course, they had a little show re-enacting the Moon landing. A Saturn V exhibit wouldn't be complete without one. (People behind me joked that this was "the exact sound stage where they faked the whole Moon landing." Everyone around chuckled.)

(1536x1024 602K) (500x334 31K) The Banana Creek Viewing Site is next to the Saturn V Center. This is where VIPs and astronauts families can watch shuttle launches from 2.5 miles from either pad. Reportedly, it's so loud here that you wouldn't want to be any closer.

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(1536x1024 445K) (500x334 17K) The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

(1536x1024 398K) (500x334 16K) The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

(1536x1024 519K) (500x334 20K) The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

(1536x1024 500K) (500x334 21K) The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

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(1536x1024 518K) (500x334 19K) The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

Back up to the Mission to Cape Canaveral '99 main page

(1536x1024 468K) (500x337 27K)	AMSAT Phase 3D satellite in the AMSAT Integration Lab, Orlando, Florida.
(1536x1024 470K) (500x334 28K)	Phase 3D in the lab.
(1536x1024 416K) (500x335 19K)	The "coccoon" ring which mates Phase 3D to an Ariane 4 or 5 rocket.
(1536x1024 462K) (500x334 21K)	A slightly more elevated view of Phase 3D's cocoon ring.
(1536x1024 460K) (500x334 20K)	Exploring for launch-viewing spots in Titusville, Florida - looking across the Banana River at the shuttle launch pads and VAB.
(1536x1024 478K) (500x334 23K)	Exploring for launch-viewing spots in Titusville, Florida - the town seems like it'll be friendly to visitors on launch days. The sign says "Free parking for shuttle launch". The VAB is visible across the Banana River.
(1536x1024 488K) (500x336 22K)	This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's Launch Complex 39A as viewed from the tourist observation platform.
(1536x1024 533K) (500x334 20K)	This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's Launch Complex 39b as viewed from the tourist observation platform.
(1536x1024 495K) (500x334 21K)	This picture was taken just as insurance in case my photos from the van didn't turn out. It's the VAB as viewed from the tourist observation platform.
(1536x1024 509K) (500x334 21K)	These are two of the expendable rocket launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, as viewed from the same tourist observation platform as the previous pictures.
(1536x1024 672K) (500x334 36K)	A real Saturn V rocket which was built but not yet launched when the program was cancelled. This is now the heart of the display at the new Saturn V Center at KSC.
(1536x1024 727K) (500x334 39K)	The Saturn V is a really big rocket. Even today, nothing compares...
(1536x1024 533K) (500x334 33K)	Saturn V, second stage on display at the Saturn V Center.
(1536x1024 563K) (500x334 37K)	Saturn V, third stage on display at the Saturn V Center.
(1536x1024 508K) (500x334 29K)	Apollo command module at the Saturn V Center.
(1536x1024 675K) (500x334 37K)	Seated with a Pepsi at the eating area, I took this picture straight up at the LEM (Lunar lander) which was haning above me.
(1536x1024 933K) (500x334 25K)	Of course, they had a little show re-enacting the Moon landing. A Saturn V exhibit wouldn't be complete without one. (People behind me joked that this was "the exact sound stage where they faked the whole Moon landing." Everyone around chuckled.)
(1536x1024 602K) (500x334 31K)	The Banana Creek Viewing Site is next to the Saturn V Center. This is where VIPs and astronauts families can watch shuttle launches from 2.5 miles from either pad. Reportedly, it's so loud here that you wouldn't want to be any closer.
(1536x1024 445K) (500x334 17K)	The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.
(1536x1024 398K) (500x334 16K)	The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.
(1536x1024 519K) (500x334 20K)	The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.
(1536x1024 500K) (500x334 21K)	The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.
(1536x1024 518K) (500x334 19K)	The "Rocket Garden" at the KSC Visitor Complex.

Mission to Cape Canaveral '99 Day 7 - Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Mission to Cape Canaveral '99
Day 7 - Wednesday, November 10, 1999