Orion EFT-1 Launch Thread *A GLP'er Goes Behind the Scenes at NASA

Airbus/EADS will build the Orion Service Module.

Orion will be at least half European!

TOO RIGHT MY BURBON LOVING BUDDY ;)

Looking forward to this launch a great deal. It feels like space programs are picking up again, and were finally going to what was the mission all along; deep space exploration.

I think in the long run, this flight may prove more important to humanity than we may think. So keep your fingers crossed for a smooth flight.

Bring on the new space age, and they better not lose that momentum again. We could've been here many years ago already.

Let's go to Mars.

I'm on the bus to go to the launch! Next stop is the 2.5 mile site.

how much sleep did you get?

Air force is shining one hell of a green laser into the clouds this morning from the pad. Can't capture it on my cell phone here but I do have pictures on my main camera.

3 hours.

I've seen the green laser pictures I was wondering what it's all about.

Where exactly will you be watching the launch from?

adrenaline is better than coffee!

A few feet from the danger zone. Not exaggerating.

This is what I got about the laser from another site:

We are seeing some people seeing it and others not. There is fog over the area, but visibility appears to be better from the north and not good south and west.

Good for you.

I had a friend, still in contact, now retired, who worked in the firing room for Shuttle launches until last.

Haha, police just blocked off 405 temporarily for my bus, pissing off a whole bunch of people trying to get to the cape in heavy traffic.

Those lasers are measuring our atmosphere. LIDAR of some sorts. We have this almost every night here in our local MetOffice building. Here's an article about it. [link to www.esrl.noaa.gov] Got myself a humble dinner and ready to watch the launch! Go Orion! Hoping for clear skies over there.

In case I forget to tell you later Dr Astro.
Thanks for including "us" in this amazing opportunity.
Personally speaking, I wouldn't have...

Hope you won't be stuck there too long. I saw they have a new countdown clock.

My other source said
Tanking complete... ready for launch...

Hope for the better!

Thanks for the laser info, Snuffie!

[link to cdn.livestream.com]

looks like fueling is complete.

Wow that's awesome, have fun!

I'm guessing the invite for BPEarthWatch must of got lost in the post.

That Brandi Dean is a hottie.

stage 2 pressure checks!

From my other source:

Some sort of issue with the original weather recon plane so bringing in a new one.
[link to flightaware.com]

As expected just a few brief showers moving towards land. Nothing extraordinary.

T
-35 MIN

WOOT!

That Wouldn't Happen To Be A "pledian" Now Would It?

I think they got it right!

They should hire us and our Weather Control pilots to disperse the clouds for optimal view :) Nothing like a good twin engine turboprop circling around the launch site to make for that wonderful atmosphere!

:bumps:

Weather is green. No technical issues.

She's a NASA space princes. That's actually her screen name.

[link to www.nasa.gov]

Hope for the better!

Standing by for the weather briefing.