[sci.space.shuttle] Viewing the Space Shuttle landing

shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer (OFV)) (03/21/90)

[Sorry--I'm a little late with this.  At least they haven't launched
yet.  MFS]

There are four ways to see the Shuttle landing at Edwards AFB, listed
in order of restrictiveness of access.

     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.
         
         These passes can be obtained by writing, as detailed below.
         Ames-Dryden employees can also obtain them.
         
     3.  Official guest.  Access to the Ames-Dryden complex.  You get
         to watch the landing from the ramp, which is right on the
         lakebed.  (The Shuttle lands some distance away, depending on
         which runway it uses.) The crew speaks to the crowd just
         before they return to JSC.  There are special aircraft
         displays (including the SR-71, F-15, F-18, X-29, etc.) in the
         hangars.  The radio transmissions are broadcast.
         
         You can write, as detailed below, to obtain these badges and
         parking permits.  Employees are allotted one car pass and four
         badges for family and friends.
         
     4.  Distinguished guest.  As 3 above, with the viewing being done
         from the complex roof.  This group includes the families and
         guests of the astronauts and notables (of a variety of
         types--Dick Rutan was at a recent landing) in the aerospace
         community, etc.  These people are invited by NASA management
         and the list is fairly small.
         
To obtain a hillside pass or official guest badges, write to:

     NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility
     Attn:  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.

--

Mary Shafer  shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov or ames!skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer
         NASA Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA
                   Of course I don't speak for NASA

Beat.Ackermann@f801.n302.z2.fido.imp.com (Beat Ackermann) (06/29/90)

I go in August to California.
Are there any  Shuttle landings in this time.

Please, let me know.

Thanks a lot!

Beat

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nam2254@dsacg2.dsac.dla.mil (Tom Ohmer) (07/03/90)

From article <7011.268AD364@gccs.fido.imp.com>, by Beat.Ackermann@f801.n302.z2.fido.imp.com (Beat Ackermann):

> Are there any  Shuttle landings in this time.

Depends on whether we can get one LAUNCHED, first.  :-(
-- 
Tom Ohmer @ Defense Logistics Agency Systems Automation Center,
            DSAC-AMB, Bldg. 27-6, P.O. Box 1605, Columbus, OH  43216-5002
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