NASA Social - Dryden Flight Research Center

[Matt Ottosen]

Space Shuttle Endeavour
Boeing 747-123 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

Space Shuttle and SCA arriving at Dryden Flight Research Center and Edwards Air Force Base for the last time.

[Joe Copalman]

Wasn't this also the first time Endeavour had arrived on an SCA?

[Matt Ottosen]

Wasn't this also the first time Endeavour had arrived on an SCA?

I believe so.  We actually had the opportunity to talk with one of NASA's Shuttle Managers, and she said that, other than Enterprise, this was only the second time a Shuttle had been flown into Edwards AFB.  She said the first time was during a ferry flight, and shortly after departure the SCA had engine trouble and had to return to Edwards.  I haven't checked her facts, but I do know that Columbia was at Dryden getting an avionics upgrade when I was visiting Kennedy back in 2000.  I just don't know if Columbia was flown into Edwards on an SCA for the upgrade, or if it was just left there after a mission.

[Scott Youmans]

Absolutely gorgeous Matt.  What a magnificent pair of machines.  Well done!

[Chris Kennedy]

Wasn't this also the first time Endeavour had arrived on an SCA?

I believe so.  We actually had the opportunity to talk with one of NASA's Shuttle Managers, and she said that, other than Enterprise, this was only the second time a Shuttle had been flown into Edwards AFB.  She said the first time was during a ferry flight, and shortly after departure the SCA had engine trouble and had to return to Edwards.  I haven't checked her facts, but I do know that Columbia was at Dryden getting an avionics upgrade when I was visiting Kennedy back in 2000.  I just don't know if Columbia was flown into Edwards on an SCA for the upgrade, or if it was just left there after a mission.

The ferry flight that was aborted was carrying Atlantis on April 6, 1996.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/NewsReleases/1996/96-22.html

[Matt Ottosen]

Absolutely gorgeous Matt.  What a magnificent pair of machines.  Well done!

Thanks Scott!

[Matt Ottosen]

The ferry flight that was aborted was carrying Atlantis on April 6, 1996.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/NewsReleases/1996/96-22.html

Thanks for the info.

[Matt Ottosen]

The official NASA event photos were emailed out to the participants this morning, attached are the two group photos.

[Matt Ottosen]

Space Shuttle Endeavour
Boeing 747-123 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

Space Shuttle and SCA arriving at Dryden Flight Research Center and Edwards Air Force Base for the last time.

[Matt Ottosen]

Space Shuttle Endeavour
Boeing 747-123 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

On the ramp at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.

[Matt Ottosen]

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet

The chase/photo aircraft arriving shortly after Endeavour at Edwards AFB.

[Matt Ottosen]

McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II
Weather Pathfinder for SCA/Shuttle Ferry Flights
Reduced Gravity Research Program "Vomit Comet"

Pathfinder departing Edwards Air Force Base shortly after Endeavour/SCA.

[Matt Ottosen]

Space Shuttle Endeavour
Boeing 747-123 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

[Jeff D. Welker]

^^^^ Great capture Matt. If you don't mind, let an old fat man (me) offer you a few thoughts on how to make your image even better IMO. Go to more of a pano type crop 16:9 or even 2.39:1. Get rid of most of the foreground. I like brown sage brush as much as the other guy; however, it is a distracting element. Clone out the 2,000' sign and the red/white shack - also distracting. Open up the shadows under the 747 (not the shuttle). Don't over do it, just a smidge. Lastly, add a little structure (tonal contrast) to the smoke coming off the mains. It will help emphasize this great part of your image.

Now this is nothing more than my opinion and you should take it with a liberal grain of salt. I think a different crop would bring the viewer closer to the main image and the other edits bring out some of the better elements. Feel free to ignore my suggestions as the ravings of an old fat man who is past is prime. I know Mrs. Welker would agree in spades 

[Matt Ottosen]

^^^^ Great capture Matt. If you don't mind, let an old fat man (me) offer you a few thoughts on how to make your image even better IMO. Go to more of a pano type crop 16:9 or even 2.39:1. Get rid of most of the foreground. I like brown sage brush as much as the other guy; however, it is a distracting element. Clone out the 2,000' sign and the red/white shack - also distracting. Open up the shadows under the 747 (not the shuttle). Don't over do it, just a smidge. Lastly, add a little structure (tonal contrast) to the smoke coming off the mains. It will help emphasize this great part of your image.

Now this is nothing more than my opinion and you should take it with a liberal grain of salt. I think a different crop would bring the viewer closer to the main image and the other edits bring out some of the better elements. Feel free to ignore my suggestions as the ravings of an old fat man who is past is prime. I know Mrs. Welker would agree in spades 

Thank you! Let me see what I can do, jefe.