rtphokie
Photo board moderator
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,607
Seeing a shuttle launch was a major item on my bucket list and with only a couple left in the program, I couldn't put it off any more. Another thing I really wanted to see was the Solid Rocket Boosters coming back into port. I was amazed at how close you can get! Its amazing to be 20 feet away from something that was glowing white hot and producing nearly 3 million pounds of force 2 days earlier.
The Cape Canaveral locks are easy to get to and the Army Corps of Engineers guys there enjoy the company. Even without something as specactular as the booster recovery ships coming through, it's pretty cool to watch the draw bridge just up the channel and the locks in action. In the 2 hours I was there Wednesday morning, the locks were operated 4 times for boats and the drawbridge was operated 3 times. There is parking right there and some picnic structures that even have grills.
The MV Freedom Star passes under the drawbridge leading to the Port Canaveral cruise terminals.
There were about 40 people out that morning to welcome the ship back into port, we were able to get REALLY close.
Business end of the booster, the nose cone where maneuvering rockets are housed (to push the booster away from the shuttle when separating) and parachutes are housed.
Closer shot of the plug used to seal up the rocket so that water can be removed to make it more buoyant. You can see a spare up on deck. Very brave divers maneuver this thing into place underwater as this huge hunk of metal is bobbing in the water.
Mama and baby dolphin in the locks prior to the ships coming through
Video of the ship coming through the channel and locks, should HD after You Tube finishes chewing on it
The Cape Canaveral locks are easy to get to and the Army Corps of Engineers guys there enjoy the company. Even without something as specactular as the booster recovery ships coming through, it's pretty cool to watch the draw bridge just up the channel and the locks in action. In the 2 hours I was there Wednesday morning, the locks were operated 4 times for boats and the drawbridge was operated 3 times. There is parking right there and some picnic structures that even have grills.
The MV Freedom Star passes under the drawbridge leading to the Port Canaveral cruise terminals.
There were about 40 people out that morning to welcome the ship back into port, we were able to get REALLY close.
Business end of the booster, the nose cone where maneuvering rockets are housed (to push the booster away from the shuttle when separating) and parachutes are housed.
Closer shot of the plug used to seal up the rocket so that water can be removed to make it more buoyant. You can see a spare up on deck. Very brave divers maneuver this thing into place underwater as this huge hunk of metal is bobbing in the water.
Mama and baby dolphin in the locks prior to the ships coming through
Video of the ship coming through the channel and locks, should HD after You Tube finishes chewing on it
