Search found 113 matches

by rkolker
Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:14 pm
Forum: First Timers
Topic: what are some of the good near by hotels?
Replies: 23
Views: 22466

As several folks said, the only hotel in walking distance is the Marriott, but that's going to cost you. There are a couple of hotels within "bicycling distance" (although I drove). Use the mapping provision on something like travelocity. That being said, stay in the habitat if it's your f...
by rkolker
Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:05 pm
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: Endeavour Damage
Replies: 3
Views: 4129

I don't remember which flight it was, but at least one shuttle has landed with fairly severe tile damage, down to the aluminum. The unknown question is how much was done on ascent, and how much on reentry? Was the tile down to aluminum before entry, or only after being subject to heating and dynamic...
by rkolker
Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:11 pm
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: astronauts we've met
Replies: 34
Views: 26026

I knew I forgot something significant.

I flew the vomit comet with most of the Canadian Astronaut corps (as of 1989).

With the cooperation of the folks at JSC, I am tracking down the photos from that vomit comet flight. I'll let everyone know when I have them up at rkolker.com/gallery.
by rkolker
Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:46 pm
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: A Beautiful Launch
Replies: 16
Views: 13732

TheDotster wrote:Jeramy was announcing the entire time line just like it's done in the missions
So I'm not the only one! :) From T-9:00 to orbit I find myself making all the left seat procedure calls.
by rkolker
Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:59 am
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: A Beautiful Launch
Replies: 16
Views: 13732

It was beautiful!! I took a few photos. One of the recommendations I make to first time launch watchers is to NOT take pictures, or at least just take one or two and then get your eye out of the viewfinder. A launch really should be experienced "full screen". Interestingly, when I went to...
by rkolker
Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:59 am
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: astronauts we've met
Replies: 34
Views: 26026

Rich, did you tell us the Gene Kranz story at camp? Probably not, but given all the driving I did to and from camp, I wasn't really all there all weekend, so here it is. To a certain extent, you had to be there. When I worked for Ford Aerospace (later Loral, even later part of Lockheed Martin) in H...
by rkolker
Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:02 am
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: astronauts we've met
Replies: 34
Views: 26026

Some of the more interesting ones.... Of the original seven, I've met Shepard, Carpenter, Schirra and Cooper, and have an autograph from Glenn that I got from Steve Robinson, who flew with him on his shuttle flight. John Young sat across the aisle from me on a flight to Houston. Steve Robinson and E...
by rkolker
Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:45 am
Forum: The Hab
Topic: August Alumni Session
Replies: 65
Views: 66115

Looking forward to the play-by-play to see how it compared to the first session. Anyone recovered enough to provide it?
by rkolker
Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:39 pm
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: STS-118
Replies: 52
Views: 37803

The things you learn for Space Camp. I'm familiar with this valve from my studies of the ECLSS system. It is one of two valves designed to keep the cabin from overpressurizing. It is supposed to open when the delta pressure reaches 16 psi differential positive between the crew cabin and outside. I k...
by rkolker
Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:02 am
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: Save Skylab
Replies: 8
Views: 7439

Save Skylab Update

An update on the Save Skylab effort from Tom Hancock, who is leading up the effort: http://www.saveskylab.org/ All, I talked to Mike Kelly of the USSRC today. They are ready to start taking action to save Skylab. They are asking us to help raise funds to build structures (not a major building) for h...
by rkolker
Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:09 am
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: STS-118
Replies: 52
Views: 37803

If you have time, and it's still there, climb the blockhouse at LC-34. It gives you a great view of the Cape. The stairs were a little rickety, which is why I'm not sure they're still there.
by rkolker
Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:41 pm
Forum: The Hab
Topic: August Alumni Session
Replies: 65
Views: 66115

I'll need to check but I think an Enterprise Teamer (no, not me) will be there for the August session.
by rkolker
Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:56 am
Forum: The Hab
Topic: CANADARM!
Replies: 17
Views: 13664

"To treat for shock, grab by the ankles and swing around to force blood to the head."

This dates from a first aid class where the counselor told us to raise a person's feet above their head to treat for shock (in zero-g) and we asked "why?".
by rkolker
Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:06 pm
Forum: The Hab
Topic: Duct Tape
Replies: 8
Views: 8805

Duct Tape

Some of the Duct Tape Madrigal, by Lou Nathanson...

http://www.alaska.net/~ldn/dt.wav
by rkolker
Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:56 pm
Forum: First Timers
Topic: Stuff to learn for ASA
Replies: 16
Views: 14793

Monica42 wrote:Well, I'm back. It was really, really fun.
We told you! :D

Sounds like you had a great session.
by rkolker
Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:52 pm
Forum: The Hab
Topic: where is everyone? :(
Replies: 10
Views: 9330

I'm playing with the idea of driving down to do all the museum stuff I didn't get a chance to at my session because of my airline adventures.
by rkolker
Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:32 pm
Forum: von Braun's World
Topic: Happy Moon Landing Anniversary!
Replies: 2
Views: 3367

At the Cape, the Saturn V in the background.

Apollo 17 in case you're wondering.

http://rkolker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_ ... alNumber=1
by rkolker
Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:46 pm
Forum: First Timers
Topic: Water Activities
Replies: 15
Views: 13915

I have some video of water survival at UAH. I'll try to dig it out and put it up on YouTube.

Here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHfnD7RG67Q
by rkolker
Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:45 pm
Forum: First Timers
Topic: What size/kind of bag do you bring and where do you keep it?
Replies: 17
Views: 15107

Think duffle! They make them in many sizes, and with wheels, and they'll fit in anywhere. As others suggested, plan to do laundry at some time during the week instead of carrying two weeks of clothing. When I went to summer camp, you could get your laundry done (they charged you, but it was reasonab...
by rkolker
Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:45 am
Forum: First Timers
Topic: Water Activities
Replies: 15
Views: 13915

It's a man-made lake about 4 feet deep or less. Very hot this time of year. I must have gone to AC in August or so (as all pictures of me and everybody else are in shorts and short sleeve shirts). As I recall the water was about bath water temp. Back in the day, we used to take our teams out to UAH...