Xref: utzoo sci.space:23938 sci.space.shuttle:6235 sci.astro:9316 rec.aviation:28952
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!jarthur!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!skipper!shafer
From: shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,sci.astro,rec.aviation
Subject: Seeing the Shuttle Land
Message-ID: <SHAFER.90Sep18125543@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov>
Date: 18 Sep 90 19:55:43 GMT
Sender: shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov
Distribution: sci,rec
Organization: NASA Dryden, Edwards, Cal.
Lines: 54


I know that this is a little late, but I've just found out that the
PAO office has Hillside Viewing Area passes.

There are two ways to see the Columbia landing at Edwards AFB, listed
in order of restrictiveness of access.

     1.  The public viewing area on the lakebed.  Take Hwy 14 to Avenue
         F and follow the signs.  This area is opened about 2 days
         before the scheduled touchdown.  The viewing area is an
         unimproved area so don't expect many amenities.  I think that
         there are sanitary facilities and that food and drinks can be
         purchased.  It's suggested that you bring food and water
         Nothing is required for access to this area.  (I've never been
         to this area, so I can't speak from personal knowledge.) 

     2.  The hillside viewing area.  This is on the hillside, just
         above Ames-Dryden, and requires a special pass.  This pass is
         good for one vehicle, with any number of passengers.  You
         can't enter the Ames-Dryden complex but you can walk down the
         hill to the cafeteria and the giftshop, etc.  More amenities,
         including radio transmissions from the Shuttle and JSC.  Some
         of us believe that this area has the BEST view of the landing.
         
To obtain a hillside pass, write to:

     NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility
     Attn:  Ms. Cei Kratz, 
     Public Affairs Office
     P.O. Box 273
     Edwards, CA  92523-5000
     
Do this early, because there is a limited amount of space.  If you get
these and then discover that you can't attend, please try to pass them
on to someone else who can use them.  Incidently, there is _no_ charge.

Come see the Shuttle land--it's great.

Wear warm clothes!

This time of year, the low is about 60 deg F, at 0600, and the high is
in the 90s.  Forget the myth that the desert is always hot, it's cool
to cold when the sun's down.  If it's much warmer, it's because the
wind is blowing.

Hillside Guests will be sitting up on metal bleachers.  The portions
of their anatomy in contact with the bleachers (feet and seat) may get
_real_ cold.

--
Mary Shafer  shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov  ames!skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer
           NASA Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA
                     Of course I don't speak for NASA
 "A MiG at your six is better than no MiG at all"--Unknown US fighter pilot