This is the Vehicle Assembly Building, which is exactly what it sounds like: the building where space vehicles are assembled and readied for launching. It is impossible, looking at this picture, to get a sense of just how big this building is. Hell, it's difficult to really process that even when you're right next to it. So I'll just say that you can see this thing from miles and miles away, and even then, it still looks big.
Here's some shots of the inside of an old control bunker:
Look at all that wonderful old-fashioned technology! Actually, those old reel-to-reel tape recorders -- or at least, ones somewhat similar to those -- are very familiar to me, as we were still using them at NRAO much more recently than you might expect.
And here's the place where I went all, "SQUEEEE!":
That's a replica of Alan Shepard's Mercury-Redstone, on the actual spot where he launched on his historic flight as the first American in space.
More to come later!
Good shots. It looks just like I was there too.
ReplyDeleteFunny, that. :)
DeleteSome of us who are "not old yet" can remember dials and switches and stuff (even vacuum tubes). Also, I have always thought that Alan Shepard was The Man and wondered why everyone else remembers John Glenn. (Incidentally, though I am not a squealer, I probably would've risked wetting myself, had I the opportunity to go there.)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I remember vacuum tubes. :)
DeleteShepard and Glenn were both The Man. I think all of those guys get to be The Man. :)