Warmth of the Sun

On July 24, 2000, a small elite group of men gathered at the long abandoned Launch Complex 3 on Cape Canaveral. It was a momentous occasion. Exactly 50 years ago on this day, these same men gathered at this exact same site for quite an historic purpose. It was to launch the first ever rocket from the Cape. As we celebrate the Cape's 50th Anniversary in the "rocket business", we look back with a great deal of pride and look forward to a very exciting future.

As for the new millennium, this past year has been a very busy one for me in the Internet broadcast arena. Last summer I proposed that we do a yearlong series of live Internet broadcasts discussing the processing of the Space Shuttle from its landing to its next launch. A year later when completed in June 2000, it consisted of 8 episodes and nearly 12 hours of film. It stands as the most detailed and comprehensive discussion of space shuttle processing ever put on tape.

The series began in September 1999 with Episode I. It consisted of a general overview of the Cape area along with a look at the upcoming script for the entire series. As typical with the series, a good number of unique photographs along with rare video was used to best present the material. And, of course, one of the key elements of the whole series, and personally one of my favorites, the 1 on 1 interaction between the audience and myself.

Episode 2 took us to the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). I covered all aspects of this enormous facility from standing on the centerline of the largest runway in the world to walking atop the unique Mate Demate Device. This episode also featured what has become a mainstay of my broadcasts, the "history section." Through very rare pictures I talked about the construction of this facility and would do the same in all of the episodes to follow. Launch Complex 39 is an amazing place, not only for what has been done here, but also for how America's Spaceport was created out of marshes and swamp. I really wanted to share that often overlooked aspect of the Kennedy Space Center story.

In November, we traveled a couple of miles to the south over to the most complex garage in the world, the Orbiter Processing Facility ( OPF ). Here I was able to bring our participants into a high security area and let them see things that are seldom seen by the general public. In the OPF, I discussed what goes on between the time the orbiter arrives from the SLF, to the point which it is ready to be mated to its External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters. Nearly every inch of processing was covered from the tip of the nose to the three main engines in the aft. With the orbiter spending most of its "on the ground" time in the OPF, it was great to share with everyone exactly what we do in there.

Next up was one of the most amazing and largest structures ever built, the Vehicle Assembly Building ( VAB ). Through an extensive multi media presentation I was able to show how and where we process and stack the solid rocket booster segments, the checkout of the large external tank, and finally the mating operations of the orbiter itself. The integrated checkout of the fully stacked Space Shuttle was also discussed. The VAB has become an icon for the Kennedy Space Center since it was built in the mid 1960's. Also during the episode, as I often try to do, I included a discussion of the program whose development is the reason for the creation of the Kennedy Space Center itself, the Apollo Program.

In the first month of the new millennium we went to the Launch Control Center. It is here where the testing of the Space Shuttle takes place. We went into the Firing Rooms, which are often called the brains of the space center. It was great to be able to show you who sits where, who does what, and basically how the launch team assembled here lifts a 4.5 million pound rocket off the ground and into outer space. A special addition to the episode was the live filming of an "orbiter power down" operation I was conducting. It was great to have you there as the buttons were pushed and the commands given to carry out the procedure.

Late February brought us back into the bright Florida sun as we visited three additional structures. First, we got up close and personal with the Crawler Transporter. It is the largest moving tracked vehicle in the world and is responsible for carrying the Space Shuttle atop its platform from the VAB to the Launch Pad. We showed you how it works while being onboard, and even how to drive it from the driver's seat. If you like big, cool vehicles....this is the biggest and coolest of them all. During the broadcast we also discussed the role and features of the Mobile Launch Platform. Weighing in at an amazing 8.25 million pounds, this huge structure is incredible in its size and complexity. Finally, we discussed the Crawlerway. After all...the amazing Crawler deserves an equally impressive road upon which to deliver its precious cargo to the launch pad. I actually scooped up some rocks out there to show you what happens when you get run over by the Space Shuttle.

Finally, as June rolled around it came time for our last episode. Although it felt good to finally finish what had never been done before, I also knew I was gonna miss interacting with our audience on such a frequent basis, even if only for a summer break. We had reached the end of our journey. And there we were...just a few hundred feet from the aqua colored Atlantic Ocean...standing atop the coolest place around...the Launch Pad. Rarely seen up close, I was excited to be able to take you where few go. First, we toured the entire pad perimeter showing the storage areas for the -297 degree liquid oxygen and -423 degree liquid hydrogen, the hypergolic oxidizer and fuel farms, the flare stack, stood deep inside the flame trench and finally the astronauts emergency slide wire escape basket system and bunker.

Next we went up the pad slope and showed you where the action happens. I was really stoked to have you take the exact same ride up the elevator the astronauts do on launch day to their awaiting rocket ship. Then we toured various levels of the Fixed and Rotating Service Structures and discussed their role in servicing the shuttle. We also walked out on access arms over 200 feet above the ground. Finally, you get to see one of the most breathtaking sights of all from the top of the pad...the view!! I may be a little biased, but I think it is one of the most amazing there is.

I am really glad I was able to share with you an insider's view on how we process the most amazing spacecraft ever built from landing to launch. I invite you to go back and watch the archives of the entire series on the net. Most of all, I appreciate your interest and time in allowing me to share my experience with you.

I want to again thank my cameraman, technical guru, co-host, and most importantly friend, Brandt Secosh, for all the hard work he has provided me in helping make the Landing to Launch Series a reality! Great job Brandt...now go grab your board...it's time for us to go "catch a few!" Also thanks to the NASA Quest Team, my California buddies, for all their help. Special thanks goes to our California Girl Linda. Thanks for allowing my idea to turn into a reality. Your total support and enthusiasm for it was definitely appreciated. Finally, I want to thank my supervisor and manager for allowing me to donate some time to bring AmericaÕs Space Program to the entire world.

Now as the summer heats up down here in Florida, so does our space shuttle processing activities. We have three more launches planned for this year, and that will definitely keep me very busy with testing operations in the Firing Room. I have also been conducting a large number of launch countdown simulations this summer. Over all, it has been quite busy. However, you must always make time for fun! Whether I'm in the boat, at the beach, or on my board, you can be sure to find me out there enjoying the Warmth of the Sun.