Day Five

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Today we had lunch with Astronaut John Blaha, viewed the Morrell Operations Center, checked out the 45th Weather Squadron’s equipment and Meteorological Operations, and toured the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Museum. It’s been a very informative day, for sure.

First we visited the Maj. Gen. Morrell Operations Center. Air Force Master Sgt. Greg Jones and 2nd Lt. Greg Allen showed us around the two Launch Command Centers (LCC’s) and showed us the most prominent seats, describing the jobs these people did. For instance, a range control officer (RCO) informs the range operations commander (ROC) on whether or not a minor failure will hold up a launch; the ROC then turns around and advises the Launch Decision Authority (LDA), which in this case is Base Commander Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton, on whether or not to proceed with the launch. Master Sgt. Jones then showed us the radar and described the actions taken hours before a launch by Air Force Traffic Controllers and Coast Guard Cutters to clear the airspace and potential debris fields in the ocean at the time of the launch.

Next we visited the 45th Weather Squadron’s facilities: their weather room and the Meteorological Operations Facility that could be explained as the Weather Balloon Launch Station. Master Sgt. Ralph Parker showed us around the Weather Room, as he explained the weather monitoring systems, displays, and limits for a launch.

1. 2. 3.

[1] Meteorological Operations Supervisor Dave Chapman. [2] Cadets Quintero and Petro prepare to release the weather balloon. [3] The Space Launch Complex 34, site of the Apollo 1 disaster.

After the Weather Room, we got on the bus and rode a few miles down the road to the Meteorological Operations Facility. We were in luck: the meteorological team was about to launch two weather balloons and kindly allowed a few randomly selected cadets to assist them during release. Following release, we went inside the monitoring building and watched real-time data come streaming in, giving humidity, temperature and location. The weather team could take that data and compute the pressure, altitude, and danger factor. Also at the Team’s disposal was a Field Mill that measures the lightning strike potential. Soon after we arrived, a Phase 1 lightning strike advisory was put in effect. Sure enough, a few minutes later, we saw lightning start striking in the distance.

Since we had a half hour until the weather would reach us, we got to see the Space Launch Complex (SLC) 34, site of the Apollo 1 disaster. During an exercise on the pad, three astronauts died in a tragic fire that ravaged the capsule.

Just in time to escape the rain, we got back on the bus and headed to lunch at the Kennedy Space Center with former astronaut Colonel John Blaha (also an Astronaut Hall of Famer) joining a sizeable audience. It was a blast. Col Blaha delivered a wholehearted and expressive speech on life in space, and we learned a lot. For instance, I didn’t know that an astronaut could be upside down in the Space Station and eat completely normally, with the exception that the food would float instead of fall to the floor. After the luncheon, we waited until the crowds had thinned and took a group shot with him. While we were getting arranged for the picture, we deluged him in questions that he answered cheerfully, keeping all of us laughing. “He was very enthusiastic and explained things clearly. He had a great sense of humor, a love for flying, and a passion for the Air Force. Overall, a great guy,” said Cadet Senior Airman James Fisher.

After meeting retired Col. Blaha, we got back on the bus to drive to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which we toured. Inductees included all of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts. Only a few shuttle astronauts are inducted yearly, based on their contributions to the space program. The museum included a display of the astronaut’s childhood and collegiate achievements. It was interesting to find out so much about such famous yet little-known figures. Also available were many simulators of weightlessness, which the cadets enjoyed.

Finally we sat down to dinner. In the wake of a fast-paced, high-intensity touring day, the break was quite welcome. We enjoyed meatloaf, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, fried fish, rice, cooked carrots, and more. We are grateful for the superb service and quality of food we get at the base dining hall.

The daily test preceded the evening presentation. Lt. Col. DePalo talked to us about the future of the Manned Space Flight Program. The replacement for the Space Shuttle is called Constellation. Often compared with the Apollo Program on steroids, Constellation employs two separate parts: the astronaut capsule (Ares I) and the heavy cargo transport (Ares V). The capsule will land in the ocean, as did the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, but will be much bigger, more sophisticated and reliable. If all goes according to plan, we should be on the moon again in little more than a decade.