The Shuttle in a Different Light
The space shuttle glows in photographs taken by one of its own technicians.
- By The Editors
- AirSpaceMag.com, July 13, 2009
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Comments (22)
Great Shots! I was reminded of a long standing question I have. What is the process for moving the shuttle from the crawler to the actual launch pad? I don't remember seeing this anywhere and am curious.
Posted by Edmund Spenser on July 14,2009 | 04:44 PM
Edmund,
The Space Shuttle 'system' (Orbiter, Solid Rocket Boosters and External Tank) is 'stacked' onto the mobile launch platform (MLP) in the vehicle assembly building (VAB). Then the crawler picks up the MLP and carries the whole thing to the pad.
Larry Tanner
Posted by Larry Tanner on July 15,2009 | 03:02 PM
Great pictures, Larry! And thanks for scheduling the launch of Endeavour right before our dinner with the astronauts this evening!
Posted by George Martin on July 15,2009 | 01:13 AM
This is a special picture. I love the clouds and the lighting. Gorgeous!
Posted by Anthony Schmitt on July 16,2009 | 07:34 PM
Thank you George,
What a magical past couple of days. All the planets alighning. ...and my "baby" safely in orbit. (Pending ascent debris strikes. Cross you fingers)!
If someone would have told this Ohio boy that I would have these experiences five years ago, I would have called him insane!
Thanks to everyone for your heart felt support!
Now, let us all give in to our basic human instinct, and curiosity for exploration. As with Apollo, this can only benefit all mankind...
Want to see how I install a tile on an orbiter?
Discovery Channel Canada shows you how!
Go here: http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-planet/may-2009/daily-planet-may-06-2009/#clip169368
It's a couple minutes in. It's worth it!
To infinity and... even further! ;)
Larry D. Tanner
Posted by on July 16,2009 | 07:48 PM
Larry:
I am a photographer from Ocala. I do quite a bit of HDR. Subject matter is everything. Boy have you got subject matter! If security allows I hope you will be able to document the end of an era in HDR. I am sure there are many opportunities at the cape. I was fortunate enought to visit the KSC when it was totally open to the public right before the shuttle program started back in the 70's. I have some great shots from that time. Especially of the crawler -- when it was NEW! The tourists at that time were given practically unlimited access to everywhere. We had lunch in the lunchroom with the staff. Those were better days.
Al
Posted by Al Sanowskis on July 16,2009 | 08:41 PM
These are phenomenally detailed shots for those who invest the time in selecting the high resolution picture and then magnify it. (Windows users do that by clicking on the magnifying glass cursor) The pictures are more representative of the tremendous dynamic range of the human eye. I had a sense that I was standing right next to the object being photographed. Thanks!
Posted by Dr. Gene Nelson on July 16,2009 | 09:33 PM
The vision offered by HDR imagery really expands the range of perception. I would like to hear from someone in command of the technique about what subjects or interpretations the HDR method is best suited to; or conversely, what situations that it adds little value to, or cases where it possibly even detracts from the photographer's message.
Posted by Guven Witteveen on July 17,2009 | 07:48 AM
Beautiful pictures.
Great to see enthusiasm for the shuttle program reflected in these pictures. We see the space program and all of its wonders through the photographers eyes...so rare...
Posted by diana kiesling on July 17,2009 | 02:57 PM
Larry: Just found time to search out your pictures after the dinner and ceremoney yesterday. These are awesome and the first time I have really seen a high value HDR image. Like another comment I hope you can continue doing this as the program closes out. Great talking with you at dinner and the ceremoney, only wish that I had asked for your email address. I sent my Endeavour/747 postcard shot from "Paul's" to Karl so ask him for it, I know it's your baby. A big thank you for sharing these with everyone. Greg
Posted by Greg Miller on July 17,2009 | 04:14 PM
Great shot Larry. I am so proud of you.
Love your sis
Posted by Nancy (your sister) on July 20,2009 | 02:52 PM
Awesome pictures, your experience working with the Shuttle truly provide you a great eye for capturing great moments rarely photograghed by others.
Take care,
Michael Boyes
Posted by Michael Boyes on July 21,2009 | 05:44 PM
How beautiful Atlantis is!
She's a jewel...
Posted by Kittypie070 on July 27,2009 | 05:23 AM
Nice images, but to me the HDR is way over-done - it just looks so fake and unnatural.
Posted by Aaron on August 29,2009 | 04:11 AM
Larry does take some awesome pictures and I'm really glad that he's able to document the orbiter processing with these new techniques. I do, however take issue with the way he describes the orbiters. I've worked at KSC 25 years and have never heard an employee describe them the way he did. Space Shuttle orbiters are not “beat up and banged up and patched together”, and he's very aware of that. I do not understand why he would describe them that way. They do tend to look a bit dirty, but that's from launching, flying and landing 30 plus times each. Each orbiter is carefully and meticulously inspected and repaired after each mission. They are not "patched together". Each orbiter undergoes an incredible amount of care and scrutiny before it flys again, his description of the orbiters is not accurate at all. He makes it sound as if the orbiters are just haphazardly thrown together and patched up after each misson and launched again, which is just not the case.
Posted by Ron Reed on May 25,2010 | 07:51 AM
Larry,
This doesn't surprise me one bit, coming from you!!
Very cool pics.
Thanks for sharing, and shoot me a line sometime....
DJ
Posted by Dennis Janney on July 16,2010 | 12:56 PM
I'm interested in purchasing a photograph Larry Tanner took of the space shuttle discovery STS-133 taken at night as it was rolled out on the crawler.
Any help would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks Mark EDITORS' REPLY: Hi Mark. Larry is no longer with United Space Alliance, but if you contact the company's HR dept., maybe they can pass along a message to him.
Posted by mark schill on September 16,2011 | 12:15 PM