Google Earth - Cool places to visit - Page 8

**P8riot** · 01-16-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

I went to a LAN in Orlando a few years ago and took a day to go tour the Space Center. I got the choice of the Space Shuttle tour or the "Classic" tour and I chose the latter, as I wanted to see all the old launch pads used in the history of space flight. It was an awesome experience. There were volunteers at some of the sites who had worked there back in the pre-space era who had wonderful stories to tell. There was a moment of silence at the pad where the Apollo fire occurred. There's an indoor exhibit of a complete Saturn 5 suspended in the air, and it's amusing to see the gaping jaws of visitors looking up at it. (I'd seen the one at the Houston Space Center and still found this one impressive.) And I cried at the memorial for those lost in the pursuit of the adventure, near the main entrance.

Yeah, We were there right before the Shuttle Center opened. The Saturn 5 center and the classic tour are alone worth the price of admission. I have 'before' pictures of that same Saturn 5 vehicle when it used to sit on it's side in the 'Rocket Garden' and it was badly weathered and deteriorating. IIRC the Saturn 5 now has the Smithsonians highest rating for restorations.. one requirement of which is that the equipment be capable of actual operation.

Edit: I found out we have pictures from my first trip there.. it'll be interesting to compare the 'then' (about 25 years ago) and 'now'. Including pictures of that Saturn 5.

ScratchMonkey · 01-16-2008, 05:39 PM

I think I spent $30 in admission and tour tickets. I thought it was steep but it wouldn't stop me from getting in. And if I went back, I'd easily pay $100 for the same tour. And skip Disney World to do so.

This and my earlier visit to Houston were something of a "Mecca experience" for me. I saw the first moon landing at 8, having been a science geek since I was a tot. I figure I had the same feelings there that a devout Catholic must experience in the Vatican.

One of my favorite episodes of Connections is the one that starts and ends with the Saturn V, the world's biggest Thermos, and how it came from Napoleon's need to feed an army on the move.

ScratchMonkey · 01-16-2008, 05:48 PM

I can't seem to find the one in Houston, poking around in the sat views, and the tourist center website seems to suggest that they brought that one indoors, as well. When I was there, it was spread out on several trailers in a park setting.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um...num=1&ct=image
http://www.spacecenter.org/NasaTour.html

**P8riot** · 01-16-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

I think I spent $30 in admission and tour tickets. I thought it was steep but it wouldn't stop me from getting in. And if I went back, I'd easily pay $100 for the same tour. And skip Disney World to do so.

Did you see the Mission Control exhibit where they recreated the launch in an automated form with the same equipment they used for the original launch? That was really powerful. They automated the and recreated the launch sequence in time with actual mission control audio.. but in front of the control panels were empty seats with the vests that they wore indicating their 'job' at their position.

They recreated the lighting and the 'rumble and vibration' from the launch. It was one of the best simulations I've ever experienced.. if not the best.

ScratchMonkey · 01-17-2008, 06:46 PM

Yep, I kinda got bored with it, since I'd seen that kind of thing on TV so many times. But I loved how the big doors open after the "launch" and the crowd walks out under the main engines of the S5. Heads are tilted back and jaws are agape.

**USN_Squid** · 04-17-2008, 11:25 AM

Google Earth has a new version out 4.3. Integrated street views, lighting and atmosphere effects, texturized 3d buildings.....wow.

There goes the day.

**browna3** · 04-27-2008, 04:04 PM

there were reports that google earth took a perfect birds eye veiw shot of a top secret chineese nuclear missle sub! they had to quickly remove that image!

01-16-2008, 05:39 PM	#107 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,925	Re: Google Earth - Cool places to visit I think I spent $30 in admission and tour tickets. I thought it was steep but it wouldn't stop me from getting in. And if I went back, I'd easily pay $100 for the same tour. And skip Disney World to do so. This and my earlier visit to Houston were something of a "Mecca experience" for me. I saw the first moon landing at 8, having been a science geek since I was a tot. I figure I had the same feelings there that a devout Catholic must experience in the Vatican. One of my favorite episodes of Connections is the one that starts and ends with the Saturn V, the world's biggest Thermos, and how it came from Napoleon's need to feed an army on the move. __________________ Sig

01-16-2008, 05:48 PM	#108 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,925	Re: Google Earth - Cool places to visit I can't seem to find the one in Houston, poking around in the sat views, and the tourist center website seems to suggest that they brought that one indoors, as well. When I was there, it was spread out on several trailers in a park setting. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um...num=1&ct=image http://www.spacecenter.org/NasaTour.html __________________ Sig

01-17-2008, 06:46 PM	#110 (permalink)
ScratchMonkey Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Pablo, California Posts: 3,925	Re: Google Earth - Cool places to visit Yep, I kinda got bored with it, since I'd seen that kind of thing on TV so many times. But I loved how the big doors open after the "launch" and the crowd walks out under the main engines of the S5. Heads are tilted back and jaws are agape. __________________ Sig

04-17-2008, 11:25 AM	#111 (permalink)
USN_Squid Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denver Age: 38 Posts: 3,129	Re: Google Earth - Cool places to visit Google Earth has a new version out 4.3. Integrated street views, lighting and atmosphere effects, texturized 3d buildings.....wow. There goes the day. __________________ New to TG? Start here!

04-27-2008, 04:04 PM	#112 (permalink)
browna3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 234	Re: Google Earth - Cool places to visit there were reports that google earth took a perfect birds eye veiw shot of a top secret chineese nuclear missle sub! they had to quickly remove that image! __________________

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