shafer@elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer) (09/12/89)
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 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 the last 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.
The Shuttle usually lands just after sunrise. The nights are cool in
the desert, even in the summer. If the day is warm, be sure to drink
a lot of fluids or you will dehydrate and feel crummy.
Things that you will need or want: Sun screen, lawn chairs, cap or visor,
sweater or jacket, binoculars, camera with fastish film (200 ASA is nice)
and a longish lens (200 mm).
Don't expect to get a great picture. You'll be at least 2 mi from the
Shuttle, in a crowd. Really _long_ lenses don't work very well, because
the shuttle moves so much and the light is usually pretty dim, just after
sunrise. Tripods are not very practical in the crowd. Think of your
photos as snapshots, reminding you of a special experience.
Come see the Shuttle land--it's great.
--
Mary Shafer shafer@elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov ames!elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer
NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA
Of course I don't speak for NASA