Shuttle deverted to Edwards AFB

[akradecki]

I just received that, but I'll be up at Madera tomorrow thru Sunday. Good thing I was able to make it last time. 

Now, if they can just hold off the ferry flight until Monday...   

You mean it's all up to me to give Beth a hard time in your absence?? Since you're not going, do you know if Deaver is?

[akradecki]

The thunderstorms that rolled through the AV this afternoon halted work on Atlantis and scrubbed the media event. Something about not wanting to get hit by lightning or have the tailcone blow all the way to Barstow. Closest we got was the Dryden PAO office. Jim, you're in luck...they're saying Monday morning ferry departure at the earliest.

[phantomphan1974]

What is that C-141 way in the back?

[akradecki]

It's one that's been sitting stored for the last several years out on the North Base ramp.

Alan

[Midnight Mover]

The thunderstorms that rolled through the AV this afternoon halted work on Atlantis and scrubbed the media event. Something about not wanting to get hit by lightning or have the tailcone blow all the way to Barstow. Closest we got was the Dryden PAO office. Jim, you're in luck...they're saying Monday morning ferry departure at the earliest.

Great pix When we were in Vegas early this week they had lightning too, crazy weather

[akradecki]

As per the Sunday morning press briefing, departure of Atlantis from Edwards is now set for Monday morning, just before sunrise. If they stay true to tradition, they'll be taking off northeast-bounds, which means that you should be able to see it from the 58 along the north side of the base.

[phantomphan1974]

Good luck Alan and Jim if you guys good!

[rander]

As per the Sunday morning press briefing, departure of Atlantis from Edwards is now set for Monday morning, just before sunrise. If they stay true to tradition, they'll be taking off northeast-bounds, which means that you should be able to see it from the 58 along the north side of the base.

Before Sunrise,?? early departure to keep "Looky-Loos" and  APSoCal  Photographers away....?

[Midnight Mover]

Before Sunrise,?? early departure to keep "Looky-Loos" and  APSoCal  Photographers away....?

Yah,

[akradecki]

Before Sunrise,?? early departure to keep "Looky-Loos" and  APSoCal  Photographers away....?

Naw, just so that they can get the most distance out of a flight day. They have to go low level (10 to 12,000 ft) and make several stops for fuel, and they have to stay VFR, avoiding any weather, so it can take a couple of days to get across the country. Thus it's typical to leave as early as possible. Here are some shots of the last one, last December, when again they left right at sun-up. Makes for some fantastic shooting!

[GTagami]

Is there good access like the photos above for this departure? I wouldn't want to make the drive out there if I had to be outside of the area and only get it after the take-off.

[Midnight Mover]

Naw, just so that they can get the most distance out of a flight day. They have to go low level (10 to 12,000 ft) and make several stops for fuel, and they have to stay VFR, avoiding any weather, so it can take a couple of days to get across the country. Thus it's typical to leave as early as possible. Here are some shots of the last one, last December, when again they left right at sun-up. Makes for some fantastic shooting!

Very nice shots

[akradecki]

Is there good access like the photos above for this departure? I wouldn't want to make the drive out there if I had to be outside of the area and only get it after the take-off.

Access was even closer to the runway this time, but these events always require advanced credentialing through NASA, and they accept freelancers as long as you can demonstrate that you're legitimately shooting for a publication.

[phantomphan1974]

KNBC Ch 4 link: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Shuttle-Hitches-Ride-Out-of-California-Desert.html

[gfydad]

Here's a gaggle from today.