Fwd: Photo galleries: Atlantis---everybody so happy---I don't get IT---Vehicle should be operational!

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From: "Robert Hooi" <rwlh21@sbcglobal.net>
Date: July 6, 2013 4:00:25 PM GMT-06:00
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: Fw: Photo galleries: Atlantis

 

 

Atlantis attraction at KSC Visitor Complex

With more than 40 astronauts in attendance, including at least one member of every Atlantis flight crew, the space shuttle attraction launched at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Saturday morning.

Atlantis is displayed on pedestals in a 90,000-square-foot facility, angled at 43.21 degrees, payload bay doors opened, robotic arm extended to mimic her days flying in space. It provides a 360-degree view of the spacecraft for visiting tourists.

The $100 million showcase also includes a life-sized external fuel tank and solid rocket booster stack at the building's entrance, plus an International Space Station tribute area, a full-scale Hubble Space Telescope model, tires used on Atlantis' final landing, the gaseous oxygen vent hood -- or "beanie cap" -- from pad 39B, the Astrovan and a memorial wall.

Here is a photo gallery from the grand opening.

See our coverage of Atlantis' retirement.

Photo credit: Walter Scriptunas II/Spaceflight Now

Members of Atlantis' STS-45 crew -- commander Charlie Bolden, pilot Brian Duffy and flight engineer Dave Leestma -- arrive for the opening

The final commander of Atlantis -- Chris Ferguson

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden addresses the opening celebration

Bolden, KSC Director Bob Cabana, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts president Rick Abramson and KSCVC COO Bill Moore prepare to "launch" Atlantis

Buttons are pushed and the ceremonial opening of Atlantis attraction

More than 40 astronauts in attendance pose for a group photo

The first groups of guests stream into Atlantis exhibit on opening day

The first groups of guests stream into Atlantis exhibit on opening day

The lighting system brings orbital nights and sunrises 

 

© 2013 Spaceflight Now Inc.

 

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Atlantis attraction at KSC Visitor Complex

Take a virtual tour around the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit now open at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

See our coverage of Atlantis' retirement.

Photo credit: Walter Scriptunas II/Spaceflight Now

A full-sized shuttle tank and solid rocket booster stack welcomes guests to the facility

A mockup flight deck allows you to sit on the commander's and pilot's seats

A mockup flight deck allows you to sit on the commander's and pilot's seats

A space shuttle astronaut's launch and entry spacesuit

The Astrovan that drove crews to the launch pad

See what the International Space Station's toilet and the COLBERT treadmill look like in the International Space Station exhibit

The replica of the space station's Unity module

You can take a "spacewalk" by climbing through tubes in the International Space Station area

The port wing of Atlantis is just feet off the ground

The lower level of the building has numerous exhibits

The gaseous oxygen vent hood -- or "beanie cap" -- removed from launch pad 39B

The original concept of the space shuttle

The simulator room is where you dock the shuttle to the space station, fly the robot arm or land the orbiter

The replica of the space station's Unity module

And the gift shop on the way out 

 

© 2013 Spaceflight Now Inc.

 

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