Houston News: shuttle

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

NASA's retired shuttle Endeavour heads to Houston on Monday

Space shuttle Endeavour enters the mate/demate structure at the Kennedy Space Center landing facility where it will be mounted on a modified jumbo jet, Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. On Monday morning, Endeavour will make a four-day trip to Los Angeles atop the jumbo jet bound for the California Science Center.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL -- The baby of NASA's space shuttle fleet is about to leave home -- for good.

At sunrise Monday, Endeavour will depart Kennedy Space Center for a museum in California, with a two-day stopover in Houston, home to Mission Control and the astronauts who flew aboard the replacement for the lost shuttle Challenger.

Endeavour is the second of NASA's three retired shuttles to head to a museum. The youngest shuttle will make the four-day trip to Los Angeles atop a modified jumbo jet, bound for the California Science Center. Discovery landed at the Smithsonian Institution's display hangar in Virginia last spring. Atlantis will remain at Kennedy.

After taking off from the former shuttle landing strip Monday morning, Endeavour and its carrier jet will fly low over Kennedy and the beaches of Cape Canaveral, then head west toward NASA points along the Gulf of Mexico. The pair will swoop over Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where the shuttle booster rockets were made.

Next stop: Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Endeavour will remain at Ellington until Wednesday morning so space center employees can see the shuttle up close. Houston had bid for a shuttle; the loss still nags many there. NASA chose New York City as the winner for the shuttle prototype Enterprise, which was relinquished by the Smithsonian to make room for Discovery.

NASA's two other shuttles during the 30-year program, Challenger and Columbia, were destroyed during flight, with 14 astronauts altogether killed.

Endeavour was built to replace Challenger and made its flying debut in 1992, six years after the launch accident. It performed the next-to-last shuttle mission in May and June 2011.

During its 25 missions, Endeavour logged 299 days in space and circled Earth 4,671 times. Total off-the-planet mileage: 122.8 million miles.

After leaving Houston on Wednesday, Endeavour will stop for fuel at Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, and then perform a low flyover of the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, which served for decades as an emergency shuttle landing site. Then it will head to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California, another old shuttle touchdown venue.

On Thursday, Endeavour will fly to Northern California, home to Ames Research Center in Mountain View. NASA plans low-level flights over San Francisco, Sacramento and other major cities before heading to Los Angeles and a late-morning arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.

NASA was mum Thursday regarding the exact times of all these flyovers for security reasons. Officials warned that the weather needed to cooperate to allow for such a full and busy schedule.

The shuttle will make its final 12-mile journey from the airport to the California Science Center, via city streets, on Oct. 12-13. It will go on public display beginning Oct. 30.

Atlantis' road trip -- from a Kennedy Space Center hangar to the visitor complex -- is scheduled for Nov. 2.

NASA retired the shuttle fleet last year under White House direction in order to focus more time and money on travel beyond Earth's orbit, first an asteroid and then Mars in the coming decades.

Private companies, meanwhile, are trying to pick up where NASA left off regarding the International Space Station. Until those businesses can provide spaceships for flying people, U.S. astronauts will need to rely on Russian rockets to get to the orbiting lab.

nasa, johnson space center, ellington, technology news

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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Shuttle replica arrives at Space Center Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The space shuttle replica 'Explorer' finally arrived at its new home Sunday after a week-long trek from the Kennedy Space Center and a slow ride from Clear Lake to Space Center Houston.

NASA's mock shuttle arrived in one piece, but the road was paved with obstacles.

The shuttle took nearly six hours to get to its destination -- twice as long as expected.

SkyEye13 HD was overhead as the shuttle left the NASA dock at 6:30am Sunday, which was already a little behind schedule.

People started lining up at 3am to watch.

"It looks awesome. A perfect replica," Nomar Lebron said. "It looks exactly the same [as a real shuttle]."

Workers struggled to maneuver the 122-foot, 130,000-pound wooden replica. Space Center Houston Operations Manager Anson Brantley says workers knew it would be difficult to get something so large down the street. That's why they brought along construction workers and tree trimmers.

"Everything's been measured by the centimeter, basically, as we planned for this event," Brantley said.

But he says no one expected it would take so long to get rid of the obstructions along the way. Removing a traffic light pole took nearly an hour, and then they had to push back dozens of palm trees one by one.

"Just making sure we don't hurt the wings or hurt the shuttle," Brantley said.

Once the shuttle stopped moving and all eyes were on it, the people we spoke to had mixed emotions.

There was a bit of sadness. On everyone's minds was the fact that it's a replica and not a real shuttle that went into space.

"It just kind of reminds you of the good times and the bad times. We've had some triumphs and some sadness here," said Ange Martens, daughter of a NASA contractor. "We didn't get the real one and people are upset about that, but I said I want to see it anyway."

But there was also a sense of pride.

"It's something we are proud of," said Sally Landis, a NASA contractor. "We work on this at NASA. It's pride more than anything else."

"It's something we need down here," NASA contractor Justin Medellin said. "I'm really glad we got something to show for it after all those years of supporting it."

The shuttle's arrival was followed by a "Shuttlebration" at Space Center Houston. The free, family-oriented public celebration offered viewing opportunities of the replica, NASA space exploration exhibits and other fun activities for the entire family.

And the journey isn't over yet. NASA workers still have some work to do.

Once 'Explorer' is fully installed and prepared for visitors, the public will be able to go inside the full-size replica as part of a behind-the-scenes look at life inside a space shuttle. It's an experience that will only be available at Space Center Houston.

The exhibit is currently under construction and is anticipated to open this fall.

The long-term vision calls for a world-class education center to be built that provides historical context and a hands-on educational experience.

The board of Space Center Houston has launched a $3 million capital campaign to fund the transportation costs and underwrite the necessary facilities improvements for the new exhibits, including a dedicated plaza and ramp.

Although the exhibit is not open yet, you can visit Space Center Houston to see the shuttle from the outside if you missed it during its journey. Discount admission is available online.

We received video and photos from many of you who were there to witness the historic trip. Check out the photo gallery and iWitness.abc13.com to view those images.

If you saw 'Explorer,' email your photos and videos to news@abc13.com and we'll post them online!

nasa, johnson space center, local

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Friday, June 1, 2012

Space Shuttle Explorer replica arrives in Galveston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The space shuttle Explorer is getting some repairs done in Galveston and taking a bit of a rest from its long trip to Clear Lake from Florida.

The seven-day trip from Cape Canaveral left the shuttle replica with some bumps and bruises. Along the trip, a fastener gave way on a wing, causing some damage. A NASA crew wants to make sure repairs are made before today's big celebration.

As it arrived yesterday, plenty of spectators were on hand to watch the full-size replica complete its journey across the Gulf.

"We chased it down to Seawolf Park and then they said that it came down this way, and it was like, wow what a surprise," said Jason Fennelly, who was on hand to see the replica arrive in southeast Texas.

Many people watched the 122-foot long shuttle mock, mounted atop a barge, make its way into Port Bolivar yesterday via SkyEye 13 HD, the last leg of the trip from its home of 18 years at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It's new home soon to be Space Center Houston.

"Seeing it on a barge and having seen it from your helicopter, it's really weird seeing it on the water," said Fennelly.

"History, you know, just something we've never seen before," shuttle watcher Julie Harris said.

The sunset made the replica seem even more majestic, but the fact that it took a barge to bring it here pours a little salt in the wound. A brown pelican even taking flight in front of the unable replica didn't help.

"We should of had a real one," said resident Don Harris.

"I was with NASA for 15 years and it was a big disappointment and I know a lot others were disappointed, but this is the next best thing," said Fennelly.

"Mockup is better than nothing, I guess," said Harris.

The shuttle replica will arrive in Clear Lake this afternoon.

"Shuttlebration" schedule of events:

Friday, June 1:

* 2:00 PM - Event Area Open to Public
Transportation to and from Johnson Space Center will begin. Street party area will include NASA space exploration exhibits, music and entertainment from 2pm - 9pm.
* 3-5:00 PM Shuttle Replica Arrives at NASA Dock with Fire Boat Water Arch
* 4:30 PM Welcome Ceremony & T-38 Flyover
* 6:30 - 8:30 Music by Max Q, the all Astronaut Band
9:00 PM Fireworks Display on Clear Lake
10:00 PM Final Tram Returns to Parking Area
* Schedule subject to change

Saturday, June 2:
The space shuttle replica will be loaded onto a mobile transfer vehicle for transport to SCH. The lakeside load-out will take a full day to complete. There are no public events planned for this day.

Sunday, June 3:
5:00 - 8:00 AM - Replica transported along NASA Parkway from JSC dock to Space Center Houston. NASA Parkway and NASA 1 Bypass will be closed from 5 AM - 9 AM
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Following the arrival, there will be a free, family-oriented public celebration in the Space Center Houston parking lot, offering viewing opportunities of the replica, NASA space exploration exhibits, fun activities for the entire family and much more. Discount admission to Space Center Houston is available online.

nasa, johnson space center, shuttle, galveston, clear lake, local, erik barajas

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Shuttle replica move may cause some traffic delays today

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The full-size space shuttle replica is about to complete the last leg of its journey to Space Center Houston. A barge finished towing it across the Gulf from the Kennedy Space Center yesterday.

Today, it will go under the bridge near the Kemah Boardwalk and then dock in Clear Lake.

You won't be able to miss the 122-foot long shuttle replica. It's on top of a barge right now scheduled to make it to the NASA dock this afternoon and to Space Center Houston on Sunday. That means that the Seabrook-Kemah bridge will be closed to drivers and boaters from 12:30pm to 1:30pm this afternoon.

Several lanes of Nasa Parkway will be closed for most of the day today, starting at 11am and going until around 10pm.

Festivities begin at 2pm at the Johnson Space Center and continues into the weekend. Many people have been looking forward to this for a long time.

"Seeing it on a barge and having seen it from your helicopter, it's really weird seeing it on the water," said resident Jason Fennelly.

"History -- you know, just something we've never seen before," said resident Julie Harris.

Of course, many people are upset that this isn't a real shuttle. But they'll all get a chance to see it as it makes its move later this afternoon.

"Shuttlebration" schedule of events:

Friday, June 1:

nasa, johnson space center, shuttle, galveston, clear lake, local

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

'Shuttlebration' planned for arrival of shuttle replica at Space Center Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Space Center Houston is getting ready for the arrival of a full-size replica of a space shuttle this weekend.

The barge carrying the shuttle replica is about 150 miles or so off of Galveston. It's expected to arrive to Clear Lake on Friday, and the museum and its neighbors are getting ready for what they are calling a "Shuttlebration."

In a bare field next to Space Center Houston, workers are putting the last touches on a series of concrete pillars. This is where the full-size replica of the space shuttle will rest, once it gets here.

Richard Allen with Space Center Houston said, "It's about 130 feet long. From the ground to the tip of the tail is about 57 feet and the wingspan is 78 feet."

The replica is coming by water, on a barge from Florida. The new addition is something visitors both very young and those old enough to have followed the space program are looking forward to.

Alex Thomas, age 4, said, "The rocket shuttle is some kind of place like they start the rocket and blast off."

"We're in our 60s now, it started in our youth, our early adulthood," said visitor Lesley Petherick.

But getting the replica to the museum is tricky. That effectively locks in the people who live in the neighborhood behind the Hilton, but they don't seem to mind.

"We realize somebody has to put up with the traffic and the noise, but we're more than glad to do that," said neighbor Frank Muffeneny.

In fact, plenty of parties are planned in this quiet neighborhood and the only criticism here isn't about the weekend traffic.

"I really think we should have gotten one of the other vehicles," Muffeneny said.

Shuttlebration schedule of events:

Friday, June 1:

nasa, johnson space center, shuttle, local, adela uchida

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Shuttle replica sailing to Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians are still upset that Space City will not be getting a retired shuttle, but a shuttle mock-up is on its way to the Johnson Space Center.

The 123-foot replica known as the Explorer was loaded onto a barge in Cape Canaveral Thursday.

It is scheduled to arrive in Galveston Bay on June 1.

The Seabrook-Kemah Bridge will be closed for 30 minutes on that date to allow the barge carrying the replica into the Clear Lake Channel.

nasa, johnson space center, shuttle, local
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

House bill aims to bring retired shuttle to Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Exactly one week from Friday, NASA will launch Atlantis into orbit -- the final liftoff for the space shuttle program, ending three decades of adventures, unprecedented scientific advancements and space travel where no man has gone before.

And while preparations are underway for the Atlantis launch, the battle continues over what will become of the shuttles after retirement. Houston was snubbed when the announcement was made four months ago, but the fight is not over. Houston, there is still some hope. It's House Bill 1536, and it would override NASA's decision as to where the retired shuttles would go and it calls for Houston to get Endeavour. That legislation is still in committee on Capitol Hill, but some local leaders aren't waiting for a vote. As Atlantis sits on launch pad 39A ready for its final flight next week, the end of the shuttle program is near. But apparently, Houston's fight to be the permanent home of a retired orbiter is not over. "There are still efforts to get one of the operational orbiters back to Houston. I mean, again, Space City USA," Congressman Pete Olson said. At a space strategy forum Friday at Rice University, Olson said that, aside from legislation in congress, he is personally taking up the cause. "We deserve a space shuttle. Every single human being, every single one who's flown on a space shuttle has called Houston, Texas, home for three to five years," he said. It was 10 weeks ago that we learned Houston would not get one of four shuttles. Instead they went to the Smithsonian, to Kennedy Space Center, to California and to New York. It was just three weeks before that announcement that NASA Administrator Charles Bolden told Eyewitness News he'd prefer to see Houston get one. "If I were not the NASA administrator then I would say that the places that ought to get an orbiter are Houston and the Cape -- any place that played a vital role in the development and the design of the space shuttle," Bolden said on March 23. And since that did not happen, Olson plans a face to face meeting with Bolden soon to find out exactly how the decision was made -- and how to change it. "No one deserves it more than Houston, Texas," Olson said. Olson was among several lawmakers to send a letter to Bolden questioning the choices. Olson says Bolden has responded to the letter and they do plan to meet, though the congressman admits this fight is an uphill battle. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Friday, June 1, 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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