Reading mode: Light Dark

Discovery and Enterprise at the Smithsonian today

Go to last post
This has been a tough one for me.
I worked on all of the Orbiters with the exception of Challenger..

Discovery OV-103 is one of the birds that I have worked on every inch from nose to tail..Crew compartment, payload bay, and engine compartment...
It saddens me to see what they have become.

I know all things come to an end, but knowing right now that NASA has no other real projects on the books is simply sad.. We have benefited in so many ways due to the space program... Many products we buy today is because of NASA and the vendors that worked with NASA... These birds deserve to be indoors and not in the weather... I am especially saddened by what happened to Columbia OV-102 because it should have never happened and could have been averted since we knew there was an issue after launch.. Thank you for sharing this photo.. Vaughn
Bill Hollinger said:
The first four photos of the Discovery arriving are Nikon shots, but those of the arrival at the Smithsonian Air and Space museum today are with the NEX-7 and the 18-200 lens. I’ve been using it frequently lately in place of the much heaving Nikon equipment.



Web page link,

http://s1140.photobucket.com/albums/n561/billh96007/Discovery/
Click to expand...
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
 
What on earth is going on with Discovery? Why are they not taking care of it? Is that actually wear and tear from being in the weather? Wtf? Why even have it on display. Looks like it should be in an aviation graveyard. Terrible.
 
Tommygun45...

The wear and tear is the thermal protection system showing its weathered look from entering the atmosphere... They may not look pretty but they do their job..

Over time the black tiles will discolor into a grey finish and the white tiles and thermal blanket will get a dirty look to them.. This is a bird that has flown millions of miles in orbit and many landings through the atmosphere... It was a work horse.
Vaughn
Tommygun45 said:
What on earth is going on with Discovery? Why are they not taking care of it? Is that actually wear and tear from being in the weather? Wtf? Why even have it on display. Looks like it should be in an aviation graveyard. Terrible.
Click to expand...
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
 
Vaughn T.Winfree said:
This has been a tough one for me.
I worked on all of the Orbiters with the exception of Challenger..

Discovery OV-103 is one of the birds that I have worked on every inch from nose to tail..Crew compartment, payload bay, and engine compartment...
It saddens me to see what they have become.

I know all things come to an end, but knowing right now that NASA has no other real projects on the books is simply sad.. We have benefited in so many ways due to the space program... Many products we buy today is because of NASA and the vendors that worked with NASA... These birds deserve to be indoors and not in the weather... I am especially saddened by what happened to Columbia OV-102 because it should have never happened and could have been averted since we knew there was an issue after launch.. Thank you for sharing this photo.. Vaughn
Click to expand...
It saddens me too Vaughn.
 
I do understand their role and what their purpose was but why keep the thing out in the sun? Shouldn't it be in a climate controlled hangar somewhere? Is it not a fascinating and important piece of history we should cherish? Ugh, just angers me is all. The space program is/was so impressive and it just feels like we are going backwards as a society.
 
Tommygun45 said:
I do understand their role and what their purpose was but why keep the thing out in the sun? Shouldn't it be in a climate controlled hangar somewhere? Is it not a fascinating and important piece of history we should cherish? Ugh, just angers me is all. The space program is/was so impressive and it just feels like we are going backwards as a society.
Click to expand...
It began once the news networks stopped showing live launches. and then the reality set in once launches weren't even a part of the news anymore, let alone on the nightly news. Sad to see this end, as are many.

http://matthewdurrphotography.wordpress.com
 
Actually I feel it should be left in the condition it is in. All that wear and tear was earned...battle scars if you will. Character would be lost with a fresh coat of paint. When I see these things myself in the smithsonian, I want to scrutinize every scratch and scuff as they will help me imagine each and every lift off and reentry that this workhorse endured.
 
wll said:
Very, very cool aircraft indeed !

wll
Click to expand...
Yup, I have sat in the commanders seats in the crew compartments flight deck on all the birds weather in the orbiter processing facility or at the launch pad in vertical orientation... I was a bit younger and thinner then...
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
 
These are some old photos scanned in from back in the day when I worked in the Shuttle Program... Just thought I would share....
































Vaughn T.Winfree said:
Yup, I have sat in the commanders seats in the crew compartments flight deck on all the birds weather in the orbiter processing facility or at the launch pad in vertical orientation... I was a bit younger and thinner then...
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
Click to expand...
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
 
Zader said:
Those are awesome Vaughn! 1969, wow!
Click to expand...
NOT 1969.. I didnt ever see that.. These were mainly in 1990 ish.. Not 1969..LOL
--
Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree
 
Thanks Vaughn, those are great! I also loved the “1969? WOW!” comment. That does not seem all that long ago to me.
 
Thats a crying shame. We tried to get it to go to the air force museum in Dayton but I guess the smithsonion needs 2 of them.
JAW
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top