Space Camp Day 2 - Mission Success

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Today started bright and early again with us leaving the dorms at 7:30A.M. and we only just got back at 9:30P.M. Now, that's a long day!! Our team leaders took the Columbus group through a tour of the Davidson Center which actually has the original Saturn V rocket in the museum as well as the teeny tiny space probes that the astronauts sat in. The rocket itself is absolutely HUGE and some segments are actually suspended from ceiling. It just amazed me that we were actually walking under these enormously heavy pieces of equipment that were hung from the ceiling. I was awed (and a little nervous if I'm honest). After that our group participated in a 2 hour Discovery mission which was a huge success. Well, except for the part when the Mission Scientist in mission control was so busy watching the shuttle land that he didn't help the International Space Station with a little oxygen problem. I have such a great appreciation for what Mission Control does during a launch, mission & landing because our small roles were jam packed with information & responsibility. I can't even imagine the stress and excitement when it is actually real! We had such a great time in Mission Control, doing our jobs, of course, but also cracking jokes and being silly.

After the mission we went to Astronaut Simulations where we enjoyed the feeling of walking on the moon and the feeling of being spun around in a laundry dryer. Both were just AWESOME! I need a thesaurus. The group enjoyed heckling each person as they spun round and round. I have a video of my adventure there, but will need to edit it down before I can post it. Hopefully I can do that before I crash.

Last, after dinner tonight, we headed over to the Aviation Challenge which takes place on a man-made lake here at the center. Basically, there were 2 activities. In the first, we are in a simulated helicopter crash into the lake and must escape from the helicopter to safety, then get pulled up by a helicopter net. Really, the just lower the body of the vessel into the water and then we had to escape in a orderly fashion through the windows. Sounds easy, but that water rushing in on you was pretty intimidating. The 2nd activity was an awesome zipline from a tower down into the water. It was a blast. We hung around just floating in the warm water and relaxing while everyone got their turn. It was quite an entertaining time as our group has more than few comedians.

Yet another night that I return tired and ready for bed. I washed that lake smell of me & I'm ready to sleep.

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Photos

On the Moon
a pic of the Columbus group on the moon

Saturn V
pieces of this rocket are suspended from the ceiling. it is so massive.

Mission Control Hard at Work
during the mission the lights are turned off & blue light is used so that it is easier to see all the screens.

Mission Control Screens
it takes a lot to monitor all these different screens. Can you see our orbiter?

Be Nice to the Space Station
after feeling neglected, the space station staff issue threats to their mission control liaison. We viewed this through our monitor.

Mission Control
After we safely got the orbiter landed we posed for a nice pic

Moon Walk
with 1/6th gravity, moon walking it not easy. actually, it is quite silly.

Moon Balet
i actually had some pretty nice dance moves, though you can't seem them here

Weeeeeee!
and to think that this was right after lunch! really!

Comments

[Amanda]

Weeeee
Ok, I would totally lose my lunch in the spinning thing. I can't wait to see the video.

[Beth]

Amazing
All I can say is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!