CommunityBuzz! - Space Shuttle Discovery Coming to DC, April 17, Any FTers Going?




xenonym
Mar 19, 12, 9:14 pm
03/29/2012 UPDATE:

thanks MileageAddict & TWA for the info. From the local spotters' site, http://www.washbaltspotters.net/discoveryinfo.shtml, the landing strip should either be 1L or 19R since it's a morning landing, which according to the same site, would mean Udvar-Hazy parking lot or parking garage 1, respectively, are ideal.

I don't know if it'll taxi to the museum or some other hangar to detach the shuttle--I suspect that won't happen the same day anyways. (

Here's MA's link from below to an informative article: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/12309storage/.

Here's my tentative plan: I'm picking up a rental car @DCA by 9am. I'll stop by Eden to pick up some banh mi, so I can pick up folks @EFC Metro if they need a ride. I'll drive out to IAD and check the spotters' site as to where I'll be parking. If it's a 19R landing, I will drive to Udvar-Hazy afterwards for whatever ceremonies, if the parking lot isn't full. And to maximize the $15 parking fee, I'll spend a few hours in the museum (hence the banh mi since it'll be lunchtime by then ^_^).

I'll drive out that way this weekend--there are some back roads in Chantilly on the other side of the runway past Hoop Magic, but I don't know if they're public.

ORIGINAL POST:
http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/discovery/

touch down @IAD on 4/17, ceremony on 4/19 (Tue/Thu)

I'd honestly be more interested in the former, weather allowing. If I find out the arrival/runway info, I'll post here. A quick search of the local spotting group tells me the best spots are mostly the public parking garage decks.


TrojanHorse
Mar 20, 12, 4:57 am
http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/discovery/

touch down @IAD on 4/17, ceremony on 4/19 (Tue/Thu)

I'd honestly be more interested in the former, weather allowing. If I find out the arrival/runway info, I'll post here. A quick search of the local spotting group tells me the best spots are mostly the public parking garage decks.

Since I work right by IAD I'd be interested in watching the landing on the 17th if we can figure out the details

Now I just read this "Discovery will depart NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, in the early morning of Tuesday, April 17.[/I]" so I'm curious how early is EARLY?

TWAB747nomore
Mar 20, 12, 9:36 am
Yup I wouldn't miss this event

should be exciting:p


TWAB747nomore
Mar 20, 12, 9:37 am
Since I work right by IAD I'd be interested in watching the landing on the 17th if we can figure out the details

Now I just read this "Discovery will depart NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, in the early morning of Tuesday, April 17.[/I]" so I'm curious how early is EARLY?

The shuttle will do a flyby of the Mall and Air and Space downtown before heading out to dulles to land on Tues

TrojanHorse
Mar 21, 12, 6:32 am
The shuttle will do a flyby of the Mall and Air and Space downtown before heading out to dulles to land on Tues

I work in one of the office buildings right next to the IAD Hyatt. I wonder if I will be able to see from one of the higher level offices facing IAD? Say 7th or 8th floor? My office faces away from the airport but I can get into one that will face IAD.

BostonFlyer1624
Mar 21, 12, 3:51 pm
I won't be able to make it, but for anyone who can, I highly suggest going.

Alpha Golf
Mar 22, 12, 10:26 am
I'm hoping to, but if they actually do the overflight I'll watch from downtown.

Flying Bat
Mar 22, 12, 11:30 am
The touchdown would be a great event, I hope to be around for that.

lpatron
Mar 23, 12, 1:37 pm
Very jealous that you get to see the shuttle! Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry applied for one of them but didn't make the cut. :(

If you end up going please post pictures of the landing!

N830MH
Mar 23, 12, 11:34 pm
Very jealous that you get to see the shuttle! Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry applied for one of them but didn't make the cut. :(

If you end up going please post pictures of the landing!

Yes, please do. I would love to see it. I would like to see the picture.

MileageAddict
Mar 25, 12, 1:31 pm
As I work close by IAD, I think this event is worthy of skipping out of work for a few hours. ^

I have a feeling a few of my coworkers will go too. Now that I think about it, I bet there will be hundreds if not thousands of people planespotting that morning.

MileageAddict
Mar 28, 12, 9:42 am
From http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/12309storage/:

Departure of Discovery aboard the 747 is targeted for April 17 at 7 a.m. EDT on a three-hour, 40-minute non-stop ferryflight to the Dulles International Airport adjacent to the Smithsonian museum.

That means it should arrive around 10:40 am.

TrojanHorse
Mar 28, 12, 11:43 am
The timing is great for me. I'll block my calendar.

TWAB747nomore
Mar 28, 12, 5:15 pm
sounds good i will have to decide on my location.....

though a lot hinges on the planned runway at IAD .......

headinclouds
Apr 10, 12, 10:11 am
sounds good i will have to decide on my location.....

though a lot hinges on the planned runway at IAD .......
According to the Smithsonian web site, http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/discovery/activity-detail.cfm?id=3783 the actual landing may not be visible.:(

TWAB747nomore
Apr 10, 12, 10:28 am
According to the Smithsonian web site, http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/discovery/activity-detail.cfm?id=3783 the actual landing may not be visible.:(

in what sense will it not be visable?/:confused:

oh

I guess i will have to post my pics of the touchdown if i get one



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