anyone following Discovery's last flight?

[mhjett]

Did you tune in for it's last flight into space/last orbit/landing? The only difference here is you're seeing it ride on a 747 (big whoop they've been doing it for 25 years as mentioned). It's not as if they're destroying the thing. Just go to Udvar-Hazy and get 10 feet from it at the Smithsonian.

Do you not comprehend that you can go to the smithsonian for free and practically touch the thing? That it is not something that's going to be locked away forever or dismantled?

Pardon us for enjoying something awesome.

To keep it car-related, here's a line up of people out by Dulles. It sounds like most people had the good sense to pull over or at least stop before rubber-necking.

[Hostile]

Do you not comprehend that you can go to the smithsonian for free and practically touch the thing? That it is not something that's going to be locked away forever or dismantled?

Because that's comparable to actually seeing it in flight- and not mothballed and inoperable in a warehouse.

[Non_Affiliated]

These flights happen all the time, I don't see how it's so incredibly important for people to sit on the side of the road for hours. I looked out the window of my office building, saw it fly by and went about my day. Maybe if people had this kind of interest in the space program all along, we wouldn't be retiring these crafts

The space shuttle used to take off from Florida then either land in Houston or Edwards in California. The shuttle would then be ferried on a 747 back to florida. They've done it for 25+ years and no one really seemed to care then.

Are you a relative of saturn woman. You seem rather smug about this subject.

Do you not comprehend that you can go to the smithsonian for free and practically touch the thing? That it is not something that's going to be locked away forever or dismantled?

Do you not comprehend that they will not be flying the Shuttle piggy-backed on a 747 around in the Smithsonian Cha-Chi?

[NoDubJustYet]

If you want to get technical "last flight" could mean the shuttles last flight (which for someone who doesn't know because they don't follow it, would be the first conclusion). Which honestly would make more sense then using "last flight" for an entire program with out much more notation than those two words.

He's being a pain in the ass... You can't comprehend that?

[NightTrain EX]

Because that's comparable to actually seeing it in flight- and not mothballed and inoperable in a warehouse.

You know it wasn't moving under its own power right? It was "flying" as much as you or I do when we get onto a plane, except it was riding on the outside. It is already an inoperable craft

[SVTDanny]

To keep it car-related, here's a line up of people out by Dulles. It sounds like most people had the good sense to pull over or at least stop before rubber-necking.

What are these idiots doing? You wouldn't be able to see **** from there, especially considering Dulles is a few miles from the museum.

[NightTrain EX]

What are these idiots doing? You wouldn't be able to see **** from there, especially considering Dulles is a few miles from the museum.

Not everyone can watch from the 15th floor of the Accenture building Danny...how dare you question TCL

[superjario18]

He's being a pain in the ass... You can't comprehend that?

Hes being a typical TCL memeber, (yes i spelled it like that on purpose). But his question, if you strip it of the oozing jackassery, was legit. I would not have known about this if a friend of mine wasn't into shuttles and stuff, so this isn't common knowledge.

Hes a douche, you're a douche, I'm a douche. We good here?

[NightTrain EX]

Hes being a typical TCL memeber, (yes i spelled it like that on purpose). But his question, if you strip it of the oozing jackassery, was legit. I would not have known about this if a friend of mine wasn't into shuttles and stuff, so this isn't common knowledge.

Hes a douche, you're a douche, I'm a douche. We good here?

I'm great with us all having some good fun in this thread, calling me an a-hole is fine as I haven't been called on in a while. At the end of the day though all of us in the NoVa area should just calm down so we don't utilize our CCWs or a tire-iron on the first person that gives you the finger in the inevitable ride home.


and and

Oh and for the record, I don't think I'm a "memeber" just cause I decided to have a little fun one time getting you guys all butthurt.

[SVTDanny]

Not everyone can watch from the 15th floor of the Accenture building Danny...how dare you question TCL

I could only hope for such a shuttle-watching experience.

[NoDubJustYet]

Hes being a typical TCL memeber, (yes i spelled it like that on purpose). But his question, if you strip it of the oozing jackassery, was legit. I would not have known about this if a friend of mine wasn't into shuttles and stuff, so this isn't common knowledge.

Hes a douche, you're a douche, I'm a douche. We good here?

You need to recalibrate your sarcasm detector and read my post again.

[NightTrain EX]

You need to recalibrate your sarcasm detector and read my post again.

This guy

[superjario18]

You need to recalibrate your sarcasm detector and read my post again.

I didn't really catch any sarcasm. *shrug* If there was some my apologies I blame the waking up earlier than usual this week so far.

[Shmi]

I work a few miles south of Dulles, so my coworkers and I were lucky enough and saw it approach a few times.

[NoDubJustYet]

I didn't really catch any sarcasm. *shrug* If there was some my apologies I blame the waking up earlier than usual this week so far.

I didn't need to throw in the "comprehend" part... It was only there because of my initial post in response to his retardedness.

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

The SCA's used to overfly Drake VOR in northern AZ where I went to college, so every once in awhile I could look up and see it flying 10,000' over head, since their service ceiling with the orbiter on was 15,000' and Prescott was at 5,000'. Saw it cruise by while I was in flight too, which was pretty awesome.

If I was around DC I would have been outside checking it out. End of a really cool era.

[RacingManiac]

I am assuming the T-38 escort is just to keep an eye on things with regards to the piggy back plane?

[Lucian1988]

I am assuming the T-38 escort is just to keep an eye on things with regards to the piggy back plane?

it was there to take pictures of it at various times, probably mostly to sell them at a later time for moneys. some of my friends thought they had an actual fighter jet as an escort. haha

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

I am assuming the T-38 escort is just to keep an eye on things with regards to the piggy back plane?

Protection from these guys.

[302W]

I saw the T38 hauling ass prior to the arrival of the 747, pretty neat. I didn't recognize it.

[NightTrain EX]

I didn't need to throw in the "comprehend" part... It was only there because of my initial post in response to his retardedness.

It wasn't "retardedness" it was me having some fun since you were taking such trivial comments from me so seriously...What about that do you not comprehend?

[Old Windy]

In for reading after work. Hopefully the thread does not get locked by then. Wish I was not so far away to actually enjoy it in person. Buddy of mine works at NASA and he said the take off was one of the most coolest things he has been able to expierence.

[Hostile]

What are these idiots doing? You wouldn't be able to see **** from there, especially considering Dulles is a few miles from the museum.

Of course you could see it from there.

[Hostile]

Christ, there is such ****ing douchbaggery in this thread. Good game dickheads.

[FastGTi]

What are these idiots doing? You wouldn't be able to see **** from there, especially considering Dulles is a few miles from the museum.

They flew several circles around the area including several miles West and South. I was lucky enough to get a direct flyby over my work.

[NightTrain EX]

Being a prick-tastic douchebag on the internet is just so awesome. GG keyboard warrior.

...I'm sure you just are trying to get this thread locked so you don't miss anything on your drive back home to BFE.

You sure do live up to your screen name

[SVTDanny]

...I'm sure you just are trying to get this thread locked so you don't miss anything on your drive back home to BFE.

That's why he needs the Outback.... I hear they don't even have paved roads way out there.

[Shmi]

What are these idiots doing? You wouldn't be able to see **** from there, especially considering Dulles is a few miles from the museum.

Wat. I took this and I work about 6 miles south of Dulles, about a mile further than that exact exit.

[Shmi]

A few more, these shot by a friend's relative.

[clutchrider]

Nasa T-38 Talon


Watched the LIVE feed during work, awesome to hear the chatter. Apparently the T-38 had a critical fuel level and they brought the 747-Shuttle in quick and across to make way for the escort.

FYI

NASA
NASA operates a fleet of 32 T-38 aircraft[5] and uses the aircraft as a jet trainer for its astronauts, as well as a chase plane. Its fleet is housed primarily at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

There are also 2 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Here is a pic of them being loaded.

[LaFerrari]

I wish I could've witnessed this live

I don't know if this is exactly true (on-line searches turn up nothing) but I think I recall my Dad taking my Brother and I to watch the Space Shuttle/747 land at Denver's old Stapleton airport back sometime in the '80s so the 747 could refuel...if nothing else it makes for a good story

[dubjager]

I was at work and made it to our roof for this event. One of the most amazing things I've been able to see in real life. The sound as well as the fly overs around the Capitol and mall were just breathtaking.

A real shame to see it go. It makes you think what a marvel the reusable shuttle was....

Such a beautiful day for its arrival as well!

[Mooosman]

Protection from these guys.

A TaleSpin reference. I love TCL.

[uncleho]

The Force is strong with this one.

[rabbitnothopper]

wow dirty space ship.....

oh, and epic boat-tail
thats got to be atleast a .3 drop on cd