[sci.astro] Seeing the Shuttle land at Edwards

shafer@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer -- OFDD) (04/04/91)

There are two ways to see the next Shuttle landing at Edwards AFB.

     1.  The public viewing 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.) 

     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.
         
To obtain a hillside pass or official guest badges, 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.

Dress in numerous layers--it's cold in the morning and warm in the
afternoon.

sharp@mizar.usc.edu (Malcolm Sharp) (04/04/91)

If the shuttle launches on 4/5, when is it scheduled to land?
(realizing that the schedule can/does change).
Thanks.