Thursday, January 24, 2013

California Thursday - A Visit to the CA Science Ctr and Endeavour

This past Monday I had a chance to visit the California Science Center and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I was very excited to see Endeavor, too. I remember as a young girl in the 1970's going to the library and reading every book they had about Space.  One of my most vivid memories is in 1981, sitting through my 7th grade Science class and watching on TV the Space Shuttle Columbia rocket into space for the first time.


Here's a view of Endeavour as you first walk into the Pavalion.


Of course the Space Shuttle Challenger is forever etched in my memory. It was January 1986, Manchester, New Hampshire, and I was  a Senior in High School sitting in Math class waiting for the class to begin. My math teacher, Miss Mantineo was at the board, writing problems when the announcement came that the Challenger had blown up.  We lost Christa McAuffle that day, New Hampshire's hero, and first teacher in space. Even to this day, I'm easily overcome with tears when I think of it.


Brent and the Boys with Endeavour in the background.


I learned that Endeavour was one of the replacement shuttles after the Challenger blew up. A contest was held throughout America through the Elementary and Secondary schools to name the shuttle. Endeavour was chosen. Endeavour is spelled the British way, in honor of Cook's Endeavour that explored the Pacific Ocean.  There's a great picture in the Endeavour pavilion of President George H.W. Bush presenting the name plaque of Endeavour to the children of the winning schools.


Me and Boys Underneath, near the "crawler." 



Joe next to one of the rockets.


Endeavour as it travels down an LA Street, October 2012


Endeavour as it just slips by, Oct 2012


Endeavor on the Launch Pad

I also saw an IMAX 3D presentation called Hubble 3D where the space shuttle (I believe it was Atlantis) went up and fixed the Hubble in 2006. The Hubble has taken some great shots of the universe in space - one being a star nursery in the Constellation Orion's Belt. Gorgeous. If you are at the Science Ctr this is a great show to see. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the space shuttles if you have a second.

Smiles
Steph






8 comments:

  1. Wonderful post Stephanie. I was just at Exhibition Park a couple of weeks ago as well to see "World Of Cleopatra" (which was next door.)
    The space program fascinates me and I am so grateful Los Angeles gave at least one of the shuttles a good home.

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    1. Katalina,
      I would have loved to have seen the Cleopatra exhibit! I'm sorry I missed it. I was surprised to learn how involved California was in making the shuttles and with NASA and it's shame how cutbacks have taken away most of it. I'd like to see our national space program and NASA shine again.

      Smiles
      Steph

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  2. Fantastic pictures, Steph. I love your post.

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  3. Great pictures, Steph. I am very interested and curious about the space shuttles. I also remember very vividly the death of Christa McCauliff (sp?). It was very sobering and reminded me of just how fragile life is. One moment everything is fine and the next it blows up.

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    1. Very true Maggie. I think one should live life in the moment and enjoy the moment because you never know what will happen.

      Smiles
      Steph

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  4. Wonderful post, Steph! I remember the day clearly and how our daughters were taking tap and ballet classes that day. Everyone was so sad. I thought about how Christa's little girl didn't want her to go and how Christa almost didn't get her application in time to be considered for this flight but her husband had encouraged her to do it.

    Thanks for sharing such awesome pictures too!

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    1. Diane, yes, her death really affected a lot of people because she appealed to so many as a teacher, a mother, an adventurer. It really rocked NH where I'm from because Christa made us shine as a state. See - great things do come from small packages.

      smiles
      Steph

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