Troy McClellan

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  1. Space Shuttle

Atlantis: The Final Shuttle Mission

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Atlantis waits under gloomy skies on the evening before the last shuttle launch and the end of an era.
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Atlantis waits under gloomy skies on the evening before the last shuttle launch and the end of an era.

  • A side view of the final space shuttle stack after stepping off of the tower onto the Mobile Launch Platform.
  • A view from the left rear of the Mobile Launch Plaform looking out into the Atlantic.  The water tower for the sound suppression water system can be seen as a storm moves in.
  • A view standing just to one side of the tail of Atlantis looking into the flame trench of Pad 39A.  Some of the scorch marks are remnants of the Apollo Saturn V's.
  • Looking toward the rear of the flame trench.  The rails in the concrete are to allow the massive blast deflector located beneath the MLP to be moved out for service.
  • Looking at the rear of the stack.  One of the Rainbird Sprinklers is visible with two checkered first motion targets.
  • Looking up at the rear of the stack.  The Hydrogen Vent Line is seen obscurring the left booster's nose cone.
  • Looking up the right SRB of the stack.
  • A side view of the tail of Atlantis.
  • This is not a zoom shot.  I was standing on a platform just to the right of Atlantis' tail.
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  • Looking up from beneath Atlantis under gloomy skies.
  • Another first motion target can be seen on the right tail service mast while looking up the right side of the stack.
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  • Looking straight up at the base of the External Tank.
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  • The skies open up and begin to drench us as we stand on the Hydrogen Vent Arm access level.
  • Standing in front of the elevators that the crew rides to board Atlantis.  The crew access arm is visible as Atlantis gets a good soaking.  A Phase II lightning warning had just been issued.  Though our tour had been cut short, it was still an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life.
  • Atlantis waits under gloomy skies on the evening before the last shuttle launch and the end of an era.
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