Summary: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Fla. - As the end of the shuttle program fast approaches it seems that the pace of events taking place at the space center have reached a fever pitch. Just a week after Atlantis was rolled from her OPF to the VAB and then lifted into the air and mated to the last External Tank - the next STS-135 milestone took place - rollout. As with the 24 period around rollover, rollout would also prove to be frenetic. Within a thirteen-hour period Kennedy Space Center saw the final rollout of the shuttle program as Atlantis headed to Launch Complex 39A, the final landing of space shuttle Endeavour as well as Endeavour's tow back to her OPF. However for members of the media this was just the start of the day. Atlantis' rollout kicked off around 8 p.m. EDT with the lumbering crawler-transporter carrying its precious cargo out to the pad at a blistering mile an hour. Workers and their families formed a precession that escorted the venerable orbiter to her date with history. The crew of the final shuttle mission was all on hand as well and conducted interviews across from the Vehicle Assembly. The press either hunkered down or went to go get something to eat before Commander Mark Kelly and the crew of STS-134, Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Mike Fincke, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori landed Endeavour one last time. For photojournalists present the night landing wasn't what they were waiting for. The orbiters are towed back to their OPFs and photographers are allowed to shoot images as the shuttle moves by. Most want to get a shot of the shuttle as it passes by a small pond along the route providing for beautiful reflection shots. NASA also has what is known as a “Sunrise Photo Opportunity” where reporters are taken out to periphery of the launch pad and shoot video and pictures. I had to leave a little early and returned to my hotel room to begin uploading video and images as well as file stories. I skipped being at KSC for the landing as; in all honesty, there really isn't much I can do. Having covered the sunrise opportunity on a number of occasions I passed on this as well. I was waiting for what I've dubbed “Sunrise Photo Op - on Steroids.” Whereas with the sunrise event takes you at the base of the launch pad, for this tour you go onto the pad itself, and are taken to various destinations on LC39A, in short, you get to walk in the footsteps of the astronauts themselves. However, if you have a fear of heights - one should not go on this tour. To add to the drama a storm blew in dousing the pad with rain and sending photographers scrambling to save their equipment. Most (myself included) of the journalists that attended this were honored to be allowed to be included on this historical event. On the way back one photographer mumbled and grumbled about how bad it was and how he felt cheated due to the rushed nature caused by the weather. I held my tongue, but was glad when another journalist looked at him and asked him point blank, “Are you high?” The pace takes its toll. The changing and odd hours mean little sleep, a lot of junk food and stress. A couple key themes have emerged as this period unfolds, you will get the common expressions of irritation - until the media has the opportunity to see what they have collected - and then that frustration turns to joy. But one theme although not openly stated is openly acknowledged - this must be done - history is taking place and we must chronicle it. What we are living now - is just the storm before the calm. The tour of the launch pad was short, but some of the interviews, lift and mate as well as rollout has additional content that hit the cutting room floor. Sign up for Spacevidcast epic today for your chance to see exclusive footage only for members as well as industry interviews and additional tours. Spacevidcast epic helps us pay for the show and keeps the great content coming.
