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OpticaLLightspeed — Ground Control to Major Tom
Published: 2010-04-23 18:36:59 +0000 UTC; Views: 2159; Favourites: 28; Downloads: 0
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Description
From the commander's seat onboard Endeavour, OV-105Related content
Comments: 32
Beyond impressive. Thanks for sharing such a great photo opportunity ..... oh and also impressive that you list the 'Apollo Astronauts' amongst your favourite photographers. Those guys led the way and changed the day <3
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A Once in a lifetime opportunity that was offered and I could not let it slip away. BTW this shot was taken just 6 days before the STS-130 launch so the Orbiter was on Pad 39A and yes I was laying on my back (Note red "remove before Flight" flag in front of me)!
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Thanks very much, but to have the orange pressure suit on would have completed this photo.
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Thanks for the second addition into your "Gallery of Deviants" John.
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Thanks David! This was just prior (about 6 days) to Endeavour's launch as STS-130.
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I notice that, even in such a beautiful machine, you can't resist playing with your joystick
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Just keeping it straight and level......!
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How did it feel sitting on that powder keg? I would sure like to try it! I have a friend down there working for ASRC. His name is Ron Sup.
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It was an unreal experience. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to have that opportunity to sit onboard this unique vehicle and have a photo record taken. I have to thank some very special people out there that made it possible in a later post here on DA.
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I am still jealous! LOL
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GO TO ROCKETS FULL! 
What never fails to surprise me is how conventional the cockpit of the spaceshuttle looks. At first glance it's not all that different from an airliner. But only at first glance.
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It really does resemble a traditional airliner cockpit. It is more remeniscent of a military cockpit than a civilian cockpit. What I found interesting is the fact that when I was in there the bird was on the launch pad so I was actually lying on my back and I found no dis-orientation sitting in that configuration.
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That must make getting into that position a damn awkward business! Already with a normal aircraft in a normal position it can be quite awkward.
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Actually it wasn't too difficult to get in that postion as there is a rather simple process which goes as follows: 1. get your backside resting on the seat back, 2. in my case, lay down on my right-side against the seat back, 3. draw my knees up to my chest while at the same time roll over to my left side so my back is against the seat back, 4. grab the seat pan rails and pull myself down so that my backside is resting against the seat, 5. straighten my legs out and into the footwells and onto the pedals and there you are ready to be strapped in and ready for launch. Now attempting to do that with the flight suit on is probably much more of a workout than the thin bunny-suit I was in but then again the Astronauts have the close-out crew there to help them get seated. I did this all on my own.
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Do feel sorry for the guys though, I'm not sure how long in advance they're put into the cockpit, but I imagine they're stuck in that position for quite a while!
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They are usually seated about 2 hours before liftoff and they are quite busy from that point on!
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How did you get in there and have this taken?!
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It helps to 1. work out there and 2. know somebody!
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Here am I floating in my tin-can, far above the world. Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do......
Good evening Tammy!
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One of the best records he did. I love it.
...We know Major Tom's a junkie...' (I know - that line's not from Major Tom but I like it, just the same)
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Yeah they don't make music like that anymore....shame!
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