shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer) (04/23/91)
If the Shuttle launches at 0405 PDT tomorrow, 23 Apr, it will land
at 1130 PDT 1 May. If it launches later, add on accordingly.
There are two ways to see the Shuttle landing at Edwards AFB, listed
in order of restrictiveness of access and availability.
1. The East Shore area on the lakebed. Take Hwy 14 to Avenue
F and follow the signs. This area is opened about 2 days
before the scheduled touchdown. The viewing area is an
unimproved area so don't expect many amenities. I think that
there are sanitary facilities and that food and drinks can be
purchased. It's suggested that you bring food and water
Nothing is required for access to this area. (I've never been
to this area, so I can't speak from personal knowledge.)
If any viewing is allowed this site will be open. The only
times they don't open it is for the DoD's classified missions.
2. The hillside viewing area. This is on the hillside, just
above Ames-Dryden, and requires a special pass. This pass is
good for one vehicle, with any number of passengers. You
can't enter the Ames-Dryden complex but you can walk down the
hill to the cafeteria and the giftshop, etc. More amenities,
including radio transmissions from the Shuttle and JSC. Some
of us believe that this area has the BEST view of the landing.
I believe that the Hillside, like the East Shore, is open for
all unclassified missions.
These passes can be obtained by writing, as detailed below.
Ames-Dryden employees can also obtain them.
To obtain a hillside pass, write to:
NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility
Attn: Ms. Cei Kratz
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, CA 92523-5000
Do this early, because there is a limited amount of space. If you get
these and then discover that you can't attend, please try to pass them
on to someone else who can use them. Incidently, there is _no_ charge
for any of these.
Come see the Shuttle land--it's great.
Wear warm clothes!
If the Shuttle lands in the morning, it will be cool to downright
cold. Forget the myth that the desert is always hot, it may be in the
low 60s even in the summer at sunrise. It's frequently freezing in
the winter. If it's much warmer, it's because the wind is blowing.
Hillside Guests will be sitting up on metal bleachers. The portions
of their anatomy in contact with the bleachers (feet and seat) may get
_real_ cold.
1130 shouldn't be too bad, but if you get here early, be prepared.
--
Mary Shafer shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov ames!skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer
NASA Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA
Of course I don't speak for NASA
"Turn to kill, not to engage." CDR Willie Driscoll