<pre><font face="Courier New" size="3">Rev 20 Dec 2002<br /><br />The following is the Unofficial Space Shuttle Launch Guide. This file<br />contains information on how to get a launch or landing pass, and if you can't<br />get one, where to view the shuttle for launch, re-entry or landing. This file<br />also contains the distances to the pads from the various viewing sites,<br />Shuttle frequencies, HAM frequencies for listening to and watching NASA<br />select, hints on photographing launches, where to watch SSME test firings,<br />how to get accredited as a Press Personage, internet sites to get additional<br />NASA information, how to get the latest two line element sets, and<br />information for teachers on how to access NASA information.<br /><br />Please send changes, updates, or information you think should be in this to:<br /><br />Steven S. Pietrobon, Small World Communications, 6 First Avenue<br />Payneham South SA 5070, Australia fax +61 8 8332 3177<br />mailto:steven@sworld.com.au http://www.sworld.com.au/<br /><br />Shuttle Manifest<br />================<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/manifest.txt (Unofficial<br /> Manifest)<br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/schedule/schedule.htm (NASA KSC manifest)<br />http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/future/index.html (NASA manifest)<br /><br />Shuttle Launch Guides<br />=====================<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/guide.txt (Unofficial Guide)<br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/carpass/carpass.htm (NASA KSC guide)<br />http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/future/launch.html (NASA guide)<br />http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/html/see_launch.html (KSC Visitor Complex)<br />http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/miscinfo.html (NASA HQ Launch Guide)<br />http://home.tampabay.rr.com/k4lk/shuttxt.htm (Dana Rodakis' Launch Guide)<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/kit/ (Unofficial Press Kits)<br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/presskit/presskit.htm (NASA Press Kits)<br />http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/ (Official Press Kits)<br /><br />Shuttle Launch Records<br />======================<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/record.txt (Unofficial Record)<br />http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/missions.html (NASA KSC Record)<br /><br />Other Shuttle Information<br />=========================<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/images/ (launch images)<br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/stsstat/current.htm (launch status)<br />http://www-de.ksc.nasa.gov/de/maps/kscarea.htm (map of KSC area)<br />http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/ (NASA Shuttle Web)<br />http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/ (NASA KSC Shuttle Countdown)<br />http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/missions.html (MSFC Mission Operations)<br />http://science.msfc.nasa.gov (MSFC science)<br />http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/shuttle/ (NASA ARC Shuttle Team Online)<br />http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ (KSC Visitor Complex)<br /><br />For the latest and greatest information call the following:<br /><br />(321) 867 4636 - Recorded manifest of anticipated launch dates.<br />(321) 867 0600 - Recorded launch status during countdown.<br />(321) 867 2525 - Space shuttle launch preparations.<br />(321) 867 3900 - Space shuttle status line. Technical, lots of TLA's. Just<br /> remember, we warned you.<br />(321) 867 2468 - Cape Press Site ) thanks to Max White<br />(321) 494 5933 - USAF Public Affairs Office ) <max@maxw.demon.co.uk><br />1 800 572 4636 - Visitor Information Center information and next launch.<br />1 800 KSC INFO - Florida 1 800 number. Florida only information thanks to<br /> Richard F. Jones <rfj@alpha.sunquest.com><br /><br />ELV Manifests<br />=============<br />For Expendable Launch Vehicle Manifests check out<br /><br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/uscom-man.txt (Unoffical US Commercial)<br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/usmil-man.txt (Unoffical US Military)<br />http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/schedule/mixfleet.htm (KSC mixed fleet)<br />http://newproducts.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/ (JPL Space Calender)<br />http://www.flatoday.com/space/next/97sked.htm (Florida Today)<br />http://mocc.vandenberg.af.mil/launchsched.asp (Vandenberg 30th Space Wing)<br />http://www.patrick.af.mil/45Rans/schedule/page2a.htm (FL 45th Space Wing)<br />http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rawhide_home_page/vandenbe.htm (VAFB)<br /> (US Dept. of Transport)<br />http://yyy.tksc.nasda.go.jp/Home/Press/launch_future_e.html (NASDA, Japan)<br />http://www.arianespace.com/us/status/povi.htm (Ariane)<br /><br />Causeway Site Passes<br />====================<br />Thanks to werners@novavax.UUCP, Mark and Julie Bixby<br /><markb@spock.dis.cccd.edu>, Christopher A. Poterala <potsie@sils.umich.edu>,<br />Michael Borthwick <holden@netspace.net.au>, Ned Forrester<br /><nforrester@whoi.edu>, and others.<br /><br />You can view shuttle launches right from the base at the NASA Causeway Site<br />which is about 10 km from the launch pad.<br /><br />Causeway passes are no longer available to the general public. However, if you<br />know someone at NASA, you can be nominated by them. You will need to give the<br />names of all the people attending the launch with you, your affiliation, and<br />your mail address to your nominator. Non-US citizens also need to give your<br />citizenship, date and place of birth, and your passport number to your<br />nominator. If approved, the pass is then mailed to you.<br /><br />Only those selected will be notified by mail. The passes will then be mailed to<br />the recipient's address approximately three weeks prior to the launch. Only one<br />request per person will be honored. Only one pass will be issued per request.<br />If you will be leaving your residence before the pass will reach you, give the<br />address in Florida where you will be staying, as well as your home address.<br /><br />It is recommended that you be at one of the KSC entry gates at least two hours<br />before launch as traffic can become quite heavy. The launch pass is good for<br />that launch no matter how many times it is postponed.<br /><br />The KSC Visitor Complex (run by Delaware North Park Services) offers bus<br />rides from the Visitor Complex to the Causeway Site. The cost is $30 for a<br />launch transportation ticket (LTT). A viewing package ticket is $51.50 for an<br />adult and $41.50 for children aged 3 to 11.<br /><br />LTT tickets are usually available for the next two shuttle missions from the<br />KSC Visitor Complex (open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, except launch<br />days). Call the Visitor Complex at (321) 449 4444 or email kscinfo@dncinc.com<br />if you have any questions. The buses leave from the Visitor Complex and bring<br />you back there after the launch. You get to hang out at the Visitor Complex<br />before and after, so you can skip a lot of the traffic. Tickets have to be<br />bought up ahead of time at the Visitor Complex or you can order them online at<br /><br />http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/html/see_launch.html<br /><br />A view of where you will be taken can be seen at<br /><br />http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/1988/medium/KSC-88PC-1193.jpg<br /><br />Other Viewing Recommendations (frederick.mckenzie-1@pp.ksc.nasa.gov and<br />============================= others)<br />If you can't get a launch pass I suggest you come to Titusville. Go east on<br />State Road 50 from I-95, to US-1. Go north on US-1 to the "Miracle City Mall"<br />at Harrison. Park somewhere north of this spot. Anywhere north along highway<br />1, or east (as far as you can) along highway 406 (402) is good (specifically<br />Sand Point Park), just as long as you can see the VAB and don't have trees<br />blocking the view. If you can afford it, just pay the $10 to park in<br />someone's yard along the river. Also you can try Jetty Park at Port Canaveral<br />(you will be south of the launch looking north).<br /><br />You can go to the Visitor Center the day on the launch and watch from their<br />obstructed view. The only problem with this one is that they close the<br />Visitor Center 5 or 6 hours before the launch and about an hour after, so you<br />have to stay at the visitor center for at least 6 hours.<br /><br />Regardless of where you are going to see it, arrive early (at least 2 hours<br />before launch). Be prepared to get into some real heavy traffic, it will also<br />take some time to get out of the area. Bring along some food and drink,<br />umbrellas, sun glasses, sun screen, portable TV/radio, binoculars, VCR,<br />whatever.<br /><br />When watching a launch, listen to FM Station 91.5 (it is a local religious<br />station) or AM 580 out of Orlando (Thanks to Matthew DeLuca). NASA Select<br />Television is carried on Spacenet 2, transponder 5, channel 9, 69 degrees<br />West, transponder frequency is 3880 MHz, audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz,<br />polarization is horizontal.<br /><br />TV: Local stations such as channels 56, 2, 6 & 9 sometimes have live<br />coverage. They usually just interrupt the program that is in progress for the<br />final 2 minutes of prelaunch, and then a couple of minutes after launch. Same<br />for landing.<br /><br />Radio: Some local radio stations to listen to are 91.5 FM, 99.3 FM, 101.1 FM,<br />1350 AM and 580 AM.<br /><br />Hints for First-Time Launch Attendees<br />=====================================<br />This section offers hints and advice for those attending a shuttle launch for<br />the first time. Included are tips on<br /> - what launches to attend,<br /> - obtaining launch passes,<br /> - when to arrive for a launch, and<br /> - where to stay.<br /><br />For the first time shuttle launch viewer, I'd say that you should choose<br />your launch wisely. For instance, if you are travelling half way around the<br />country (or world), don't plan too heavily on seeing a launch that has just a<br />6 minute launch window. Instead, pick one that has a long 2.5 hour window if<br />possible. That increases the odds that you'll actually see it go up.<br />Secondly, if you are viewing the launch from the NASA Causeway, wait for a<br />launch from Pad A. It is significantly closer than Pad B is. Thirdly, your<br />odds at seeing a launch may be better for early morning (e.g., near sunrise)<br />launches than for launches at other times of the day or night. There are<br />several reasons for this: at sunrise at KSC, the TAL sites are still in<br />daylight; the winds are usually lighter in the morning; and the sea breeze,<br />which can bring clouds and rain showers over the space center, has not yet<br />had time to begin.<br /><br />Regardless of where you are viewing the launch from, secure your launch pass<br />as early as possible. Most, if not all, of the various types of passes are<br />definitely a finite resource, and are given out on (more or less) a first<br />come, first served basis. You should begin acquiring your launch pass or<br />passes two to three months before the launch date. Elsewhere in this guide<br />you will find information on the different types of launch viewing passes.<br />Many people choose to view a launch from the shore in Titusville, but there<br />is really no reason not to get a closer view.<br /><br />When going to view the launch, arrive on-site as early as possible. The<br />center opens for viewing site traffic about 4 hours prior to a launch, and<br />with good reason. The traffic can be quite heavy in the hours leading up to a<br />launch, and the last thing you want to do is to get to the viewing site late<br />(or not at all). Additionally, the KSC gates will close about one hour prior<br />to launch to clear the roads for emergency traffic, so if you're late, you<br />may be out of luck. Also, do not arrive at a KSC gate before they are open<br />for viewing site traffic. Although other traffic is allowed through, you will<br />be turned away by the KSC police even if you're a minute early.<br /><br />Another bit of advice for a first time launch viewer is to not focus too<br />heavily on taking lots of photographs. The event happens so quickly that<br />before you know it it's over and you may realize that you viewed the whole<br />thing with one eye closed and the other stuck in your viewfinder. I've<br />attended some launches where my primary goal was to take pictures or video,<br />and others where I just stood there and watched it go up without worrying<br />about pictures. I have to say that I enjoyed the latter much more, but the<br />tradeoff is that I had fewer pictures to take home.<br /><br />There are many hotels to choose from in the Kennedy Space Center area:<br /><br /> Cocoa Beach<br /> --------------<br /> Best Western Cocoa Inn 321 632 1065<br /> Cape Colony Resort 321 783 2252<br /> Cocoa Beach Oceanside Inn 321 784 3126<br /> Crossways Condominium 321 784 5331<br /> Crossways Inn Resort 321 783 2221<br /> Days Inn Oceanfront 321 783 7621<br /> Discovery Beach 321 784 2550<br /> Hilton 321 799 0003 & 1 800 526 2609<br /> Holiday Inn 321 783 2271 & 1 800 HOLIDAY<br /> Howard Johnsons 321 783 9481 & 1 800 654 2000<br /> Motel 6 321 783 3103<br /> Ocean Landing 321 783 9430<br /> Ocean Suite Hotel 321 784 4343<br /> Wakulla Motel 321 783 2230<br /><br /> Merritt Island<br /> ----------------<br /> Holiday Inn Merritt Island 321 452 7711<br /><br /> Cape Canaveral<br /> ----------------<br /> Radisson Resort at the Port 321 784 0000<br /> Canaveral Towers 321 784 1130<br /> Royal Mansions Resort 321 784 8484<br /><br /> Titusville<br /> ----------------<br /> Best Western Space Shuttle 321 269 9100<br /> Days Inn 321 269 9310<br /> Holiday Inn (riverfront) 321 269 2121<br /> Howard Johnson (waterside) 321 267 7900<br /> Quality Inn 321 269 4480<br /> Ramada Inn 321 269 5510<br /><br />Reserve your room well in advance--at least 5 or 6 weeks prior to the launch<br />date. Hotel rooms have been known to fill up quite rapidly.<br /><br />Distances to Pads<br />=================<br /><br />viewing site Pad A (km) Pad B (km)<br /><br />Press Site 4.9 5.5<br />Barge Turn Basin 4.9 5.5<br />VIP/Family Site 6.2 5.3<br />Static Test Road 8.1 10.1<br />NASA Causeway (west end) 9.8 11.7<br />NASA Causeway (mid point) 10.6 12.6<br />NASA Causeway (east end) 11.4 13.6<br />KSC Visitor Center 12.1 13.0<br />closest point in Titusville 19.2 18.1<br /><br />Internet Access for Visitors to KSC (Jerry Russell, jdr@digital.net)<br />===================================<br />Any visitors to KSC that would like to have Internet access to get their<br />mail, stay in touch, are welcome to stop by our Network Control Center in<br />Cocoa, Fl. and get online free! If you have a computer with you we will give<br />you a FREE guest account for 24 hours, menu based (text) account with full<br />Internet access. We are a commercial provider here in Cocoa, but offer this<br />service to our visitors as a FREE service and encourage you to use it!<br /> FLORIDA ONLINE, 3815 N US 1, #59, Cocoa FL 32926, (321) 635 8888 voice,<br /> 635 8833 DOS BBS, 633 4710 FLORIDA ONLINE, 635 9050 fax.<br /><br />Shuttle Frequencies<br />===================<br />The Space Shuttle transmits on three frequency bands: UHF, S-Band, and<br />Ku-Band. The UHF frequencies are simple AM voice and are very easy to copy.<br />These frequencies are used for launch and landing operations, EVA operations,<br />and as an additional voice downlink when other channels are in use for the<br />current ground station has no S-Band capability.<br /><br />The frequencies in use are:<br /> 296.800 MHz : Air-to-ground, or Orbiter to suit<br /> 259.700 MHz : Air-to-ground, or suit to Orbiter<br /> 279.000 MHz : Suit-to-Orbiter, or suit-to-suit<br /> 243.000 MHz : Standard military aircraft emergency frequency<br /><br />The S-Band system is one of the primary Orbiter downlink bands. The voice<br />channels are digital slope delta modulated and are multiplexed in with the<br />rest of the Orbiter telemetry and is very difficult to copy. Much of the<br />downlink TV is on S-Band also, but is wideband FM and should be easy to copy.<br />The frequencies are:<br /><br />2287.500 MHz - Primary digital downlink<br />2250.000 MHz - Wideband FM with either main engine analog telemetry during<br /> launch, or TV during orbit operations.<br /><br />The Ku-Band system is used in conjunction with the tracking and data relay<br />satellites and is used much more heavily in Spacelab flights than in others.<br />The data rate is very high (50 Mbit/s). These transmissions are directed<br />to TDRS satellites in geostationary orbit on a frequency of 15.003 GHz.<br /><br />(Information via WA3NAN, and WA4SIR)<br /><br />Ed Sileo (edsileo@qnet.com) says that Shuttle audio can be heard on 169.4<br />MHz at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB). The transmitter site is on Lehman Ridge<br />on the east side of Edwards near the Astronautics Lab. This can be heard<br />during all flights since you never know when the shuttle may land at EAFB.<br /><br />Shuttle Audio Retransmissions<br />=============================<br />Excerpt from the Goddard Amateur Radio Club (GARC) Shuttle Retransmission<br />Fact Sheet (from Jim Blackwell, N3KWU, HRSBLACKWELL@deblur.gsfc.nasa.gov)<br /><br />Retransmission of Shuttle air-to-ground audio from the GARC (WA3NAN) may be<br />heard on the following frequencies:<br /><br /> Frequency Mode Antennas<br /> (MHz)<br /> 3.860 SSB LSB N-S/E-W Dipoles<br /> 7.185 SSB LSB N-S/E-W Dipoles<br /> 14.295 SSB USB 3-element Yagi<br /> 21.395 SSB USB 5-element Yagi<br /> 28.650 SSB USB 4-element Yagi<br /> 147.45 FM Simplex Phased vertical<br /><br />Where SSB is Single-Side-Band and LSB, USB indicate either Lower and Upper<br />Side Band. A short-wave receiver possessing a Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO)<br />is needed to receive these transmissions.<br /><br />GARC maintains a Bulletin Board System (BBS) which is accessible by way of<br />the Internet, modem and packet radio. The BBS contains areas with information<br />on the club, mail distributed by the Amateur Satellite Corporation BB<br />(AMSAT-BB) listserver, SAREX bulletins and Space Shuttle mission information.<br />During Shuttle missions, users can also access Keplerian Orbital Elements<br />(Keps) which are generated by the club based on information generated by<br />NASCOM at GSFC (these orbital elements are read over-the-air by our<br />volunteer operators). The BBS is accessible by the following means:<br /><br /> 1. Internet: telnet to wa3nan.gsfc.nasa.gov (128.183.105.17)<br /> 2. Telephone: (301) 286-4137 (up to 14.4 kbaud supported)<br /> 3. Packet Radio: WA3NAN on 145.090 MHz in DC area.<br /><br />Just follow the login instructions. Note: Full access to the BBS is limited<br />to members of the club.<br /><br />GARC also maintains a WWW Server containing a wide variety of information<br />about the club, its activities, as well as links to other Amateur Radio<br />resources. The URL address is:<br /><br />http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/www/garc-home-page.html<br /><br />Excerpt from rec.radio.amateur.misc FAQ Part 3 (modified):<br /><br />Shuttle audio is re-tranmitted by the following Amature Radio stations.<br /><br />Station Centre VHF 10m 15m 20m 40m 80m<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />K6MF ARC 145.585 7.165 3.840<br />W1AW ARRL 147.555 28.0675 21.0675 18.0975 14.0475 7.0475 3.5815 1.818<br />WA3NAN GSFC 147.450 28.650 21.395 14.295 7.185 3.860<br />W6VIO JPL 224.080 21.280 14.282 7.165<br />W5RRR JSC 146.640 28.495 21.350 14.280 7.227 3.850<br />AK8Y LERC 145.670 or 147.195 (alternate)<br />WB4FUR SSC 146.700<br />KA9SZX 146.880 (Video at 426.250)<br />K4GCC 146.940<br />WA4VME 145.170<br /><br />You might also try 20192 LSB which is NASA.<br /><br />All frequencies are in MHz. Use FM on VHF, USB on 10-20m, LSB on 40-80m.<br />W1AW - ARRL, Newington, CT (news bulletins, 9:45 PM and 12:45 AM EST)<br />K6MF - NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA<br />WA3NAN - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD<br />W6VIO - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA<br />W5RRR - NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, TX<br />AK8Y - NASA Lewis Research Center (LERC), Cleveland, OH<br />WB4FUR - NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC), Hancock County, MS<br />KA9SZX - Champaign-Urbana, IL<br />K4GCC - John Anderson, Titusville, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)<br />WA4VME - Melbourne, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)<br /><br />You can also go to<br /><br /><br />Shuttle.Amateur.Radio.EXperiment/Hearing.Space.Shuttle.Communications<br /><br />for a listing of repeaters in the USA that offer this service.<br /><br />Retransmissions of Shuttle audio on amature radio frequencies<br /><br />http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sarex/shutfreq.html<br /><br />State City Date Reported Frequencies (MHz)<br />----- ---------------- ------------- -------------------------<br />AL Birmingham 10/10/89 145.150 145.380<br />AL Huntsville 12/31/92 147.100 173.025<br />AR Russellville 3/24/92 439.250<br />AZ Phoenix 12/9/91 421.250 449.000<br />CA Los Angeles 1/7/90 52.640 224.940<br />CA Los Angeles 12/21/89 1241.250<br />CA Los Angeles 12/4/91 145.320 145.460 445.400<br />CA Los Angeles 12/4/91 445.425 446.575 447.000<br />CA Los Angeles 12/4/91 447.025 447.400 447.475<br />CA Los Angeles 12/4/91 448.375 448.500<br />CA Monterey Bay 7/1/91 145.585 443.300<br />CA Mount Wilson 10/18/95 224.940<br />CA Northern 3/19/90 145.530<br />CA Redondo Beach 9/23/93 145.32 W6TRW<br />CA Sacramento 4/10/91 147.195<br />CA San Diego 3/23/92 449.450 1277.25<br />CA San Francisco 4/29/91 427.250 444.775<br />CA San Joaquin Vly 5/6/89 52.22<br />CA Santa Barbara 4/21/90 1277.000<br />CO Boulder 1/5/96 145.460 (NASA select audio)<br />CO Colorado Springs 1/5/96 145.160 (NASA select audio)<br />CO Denver 1/5/96 147.225 224.980 (NASA select audio)<br />DC Washington 11/28/83 147.450 (Greenbelt, MD)<br />FL Cape Canaveral 10/11/89 146.940<br />FL Clearwater 2/15/97 145.23<br />FL Clearwater Beach 4/10/95 442.075<br />FL Daytona Beach 1/25/92 147.150<br />FL Fort Lauderdale 12/03/93 442.650<br />FL Jacksonville 4/25/90 147.12<br />FL Lakeland 7/18/92 147.375<br />FL Largo 4/24/95 51.84<br />FL Largo 4/10/95 421.25 (video & audio)<br />FL Orlando 5/8/92 147.150<br />FL Port Richey 1/2/96 443.950<br />FL Sarasota 2/15/97 442.55<br />FL St. Petersburg 1/2/96 147.285 443.625<br />FL Vero Beach 4/19/90 145.130<br />Fl North Lauderdale 12/03/93 145.750<br />GA Ashburn 5/5/89 147.285<br />GA Atlanta 12/4/91 146.655 147.345 427.250<br />GA Forsyth 6/7/90 147.915<br />IA Cedar Rapids 10/18/89 146.400 444.300<br />IL Champaign-Urbana 11/30/93 146.880<br />IL Chicago 4/19/90 145.350<br />IL Downers Grove 9/23/93 145.350<br />IL Morton Grove 12/7/93 145.350<br />IL Rolling Meadows 2/12/92 145.350<br />IN Indianapolis 3/15/92 426.250<br />ME Portland 12/16/89 146.925<br />ME York 12/16/89 224.840<br />MN Central 2/19/90 149.200<br />MN Twin Cities 3/11/89 145.150 147.120<br />MN Waseca 1/2/90 147.450 427.250<br />MO Gladstone 12/7/93 224.660<br />MO Kansas City 3/25/92 145.430 426.250<br />MO St. Louis 1/25/92 442.000<br />NJ Central 7/5/92 443.400 (PL 141.3)<br />NJ Northern 12/12/93 146.610<br />NY Albany 9/6/91 146.820<br />NY Long Island 3/30/92 448.425<br />OH Dayton 5/4/89 145.110<br />OH Greenville 3/11/90 146.790<br />OK Tulsa 2/6/92 144.340 146.940 421.250<br />PA Pittsburgh 6/25/92 145.470<br />PA Pittsburgh 9/23/93 145.650<br />SC Orangeburg 12/3/93 146.805<br />SD Watertown 1/14/92 145.550<br />TX Dallas 7/18/90 145.310 448.750<br />TX Dallas 9/13/91 146.600<br />TX Houston 6/27/92 146.640<br />WI Wausau 9/5/91 146.820 147.060 421.250<br />VA Norfolk Feb 1993 144.340 431.750 FM audio, 427.250 video<br /><br />Thanks to Dana Rodakis (dgra@qmgate.eci-esyst.com) and Gary Grahn (WA1TSS,<br />GGrahn@aol.com)<br /><br />Amateur TV Repeater of NASA Select<br />==================================<br />Chris Best (clbest@ddi.digital.net) writes:<br /><br />I belong to a local ham radio club called the Launch Information Service and<br />Amateur Television System (LISATS for short). We operate, in the Cocoa<br />Florida area, an Amateur TV Repeater where we, during shuttle missions,<br />re-broadcast NASA Select (from a satellite receiver located at the repeater<br />site). We also have a computerized bulletin board (VIDEO) at the repeater<br />site which cycles through screens of interest to hams, one being a projected<br />launch schedule (shuttle and expendable). The LISATS repeater can be viewed<br />by anyone with an outside antenna and a cable ready TV in the launch area.<br />Please checkout:<br /><br />http://ddi.digital.net/HamRadio/lisats.html<br /><br />The two primary points of contact for LISATS are myself (ham radio callsign<br />N4KCI) or Ernie Baldini (ebaldini@ddi.digital.net, K4RBD) who is the prefered<br />Amateur TV expert.<br /><br />Photographing Shuttle Launches<br />==============================<br />The following link gives detailed information on shuttle launch photography<br /><br />http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~stanj/Travel/STS-93/exposure.html<br /><br />andreas@il.us.swissbank.com has some hints for photographers:<br /><br />Get the longest lens available (e.g. rent one at Helix). I used a 300mm<br />shooting from Titusville and was still too far away to clearly see the<br />shuttle. However I could take beautiful shots of the engine's firetrail and<br />the smoke.<br /><br />Put your camera into continuous shooting mode (unless you have a VERY high<br />speed camera like a Nikon), as the whole spectacle will be over within no<br />time. I shot about 1 roll of film (36 pictures) until the shuttle was gone<br />for good while almost constantly pressing the button.<br /><br />Use a LOW speed film (ASA 50) as the light is so bright (Remember: NASA<br />launches only under good weather conditions), that even with a long tele lens<br />you still have enough light left for short exposure times (I had 1/1000 with<br />F 5.6 and a Kodachrome 64). That way making detail enlargements is also<br />easier, meaning less grainy.<br /><br />Try to AVOID a tripod, as the shuttle moves "upwards to the right" (at least<br />from Titusville with the standard 28 degree inclination). You are more<br />flexible if you use a onepod or even better one of those professional<br />harnesses, that you wear like a jacket and that support your long lens (like<br />a tripod attached to your upper body).<br /><br />During the night before the launch you can see (at least sometimes) a search<br />light illuminating the launch pad. With a tripod and a very long exposure<br />time (> 20 sec's on Kodachrome 64) you'll get nice pictures as well. Make<br />several shots with different times according to general night time<br />photography rules.<br /><br />A final hint for the early-birds: I was lucky enough to see the big and red<br />glowing sun rising exactly behind the VAB (from the US1 in Titusville). An<br />incredible view, that didn't even require a tripod.<br /><br />Jim Blackwell (hrsblackwell@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov) and Todd L. Sherman<br />(afn09444@afn.org) has these hints:<br /><br />I can also say something about photographing night launches. Basically, for<br />STS-61 and STS-67 I used 1000 ASA film and shot at 1/1000 th of a second at<br />F/8. For STS-61 I was at the VIP site at 5.3 km and used a 70-210 mm zoom at<br />the 210mm setting. For STS-67, I was at the NASA Causeway (about 10 km I<br />think) using a 500 mm f/8 lens. Got great shots in both instances. I used<br />Kodak Royal Gold (used to be Ektar) 1000 ASA film. I would also advise anyone<br />to remove any filters they may have on their lenses as they can get nasty<br />internal reflections and that a good, sturdy, well-built tripod is a must,<br />especially with the 500 mm. Even footsteps from other persons nearby can be<br />amplified by the tripod if it's not a good one. I also used a cable release<br />and a motor winder on the camera.<br /><br />Todd L. Sherman (afn09444@afn.org) has these hints on doing time exposures<br />of night launchers from afar:<br /><br />I can tell you that you should give yourself say a half hour ahead of the<br />launch to get yourself set up and ready, with camera pointing in the<br />direction the shuttle is expected to come up above the horizon. Make sure the<br />camera is on a good, sturdy (as sturdy as possible) tripod, and make sure<br />you're as far away from other people as possible because even thier walking<br />around can cause vibrations that the tripod can pick up and exaggerate.<br /><br />Set the shutter speed dial on [B]ulb and connect a length of cable release to<br />the button. When you see the first hint of glow rising, open the shutter and<br />hold it open with a cable release until the SRBs burn out, then close the<br />shutter. You now have a time exposure of the launch. What you should see upon<br />developing is a long, bright trail starting at the horizon and curving<br />upwards into the sky as the shuttle rises. You'll also get some minor<br />trailing of the stars. Make sure your position is as dark as possible with no<br />nearby city lights in the direction the camera will be looking or you will<br />get some sky "fog" which may ruin the shot. If it's partly cloudy, try taking<br />the shot anyway. You never know what might happen. There may be breaks in the<br />clouds through which the SRB contrail may show through, providing an<br />interesting shot, still.<br /><br />Don't forget to put your photo up on the web! Then tell us where to find the<br />photos in one or more of the space-related newsgroups, so that we can all<br />`ooh and aww' at them! You'll also want to tell us how you made the shot...<br />film speed, aperture setting, shutter speed, lens size, camera used, sky<br />conditions, and direction of light.<br /><br />Most-likely, from your own city's location, you won't be able to see any<br />detail of the shuttle or it's outline (especially here in Gainesville, 145 km<br />away from KSC). You'd need a telescope for that and, besides... you'll be too<br />busy concentrating on your exposure to have a look.<br /><br />If you have any filters on your camera, though...take them off for a<br />nighttime shot. These things only happen once in a long while, and you're<br />only going to get one try (unless you're gifted with a large budget and can<br />afford an arsenal of other cameras). You don't want the chance of internal<br />glare or reflections ruining your shot.<br /><br />And chain little Jimmy to a stake permanently out of your camera's field of<br />view. You don't want him jumping or standing in front of the camera and<br />ruining the shot, either.<br /><br />Expendable Vehicles<br />===================<br />These are usually launched from the southern part of the base, best viewing<br />is at Jetty Park or south along the beaches of Cape Canaveral and Cocoa<br />Beach. Not as crowded as shuttle launches, but still give yourself some time<br />to arrive early. Jetty park can fill up so plan an alternate. Again bring<br />your stuff.<br /><br />You can also watch expendable vehicle launches at the KSC Visitor Complex<br />from the LC39 Obversation Gantry on the KSC tour. Tickets go on sale<br />approximately four days before launch.<br /><br />Philip Chien (KC4YER@amsat.org) wrote:<br /><br />For the Delta launches at the Cape the press site is actually within the<br />Impact Limit Lines (about 1.5 km from the pad), but the press is considered<br />part of the launch team, so we're there under an exemption as launch<br />critical personnel. There are discussions underway to move the press site<br />to the Trident turn basin at the south end of the Cape, not that far from<br />the publicly accessible areas. About the only advantage to that site is<br />you have a straight line of sight to the Atlas, Delta, and LMLV launch pads.<br /><br />The VIP viewing site for Deltas and Atlases is located in the middle of the<br />Cape, close to the 'skid strip' about twice as far from the launch pads.<br />It also has the disadvantage of obstructions in the way, primarily trees.<br /><br />Landing Information<br />===================<br />Unfortunately the KSC landing strip cannot accommodate a "viewing public"<br />because it is situated on wetlands, however gt3597a@prism.gatech.edu<br />suggests:<br /><br />If you do happen to try and view the landing at KSC, do not despair when you<br />realize actually how far away US 1 is from the runway. Even a moderately<br />powered set of field glasses will provide good views of the Orbiter as is<br />decelerates into the KSC area. That twin sonic boom is very unique and, for<br />me, was well worth the drive by itself. You will actually be able to see the<br />Orbiter as it comes into the KSC area and turns on the heading alignment<br />circle better than during the final approach.<br /><br />Don Diego (don.diego@nosurf.com) and others also suggest:<br /><br />The best viewing site for the Shuttle landings is the Shuttle Landing<br />Facility (SLF) Mid-Point. There are bleachers available about 140-180 metres<br />from the runway. What a great spot. Not only is it the best possible viewing<br />site, you get to hob knob with astronauts and VIP's. VIP invitations now sent<br />out by NASA headquarters are for launches or landings (see following section on<br />VIP passes). Other passes from NASA may also invite you to the landing if you<br />are a shuttle worker or involved with the payload. Unless you have very good<br />connections, the general public cannot have access to the SLF.<br /><br />As with the launch facilities NASA Select audio is provided on site as are<br />restroom facilities and vending areas run by NASA.<br /><br />For a realistic spot there's really only one choice. On US1 in Titusville<br />across the Indian River from KSC. Hope it's not early in the morning,<br />otherwise, you're going to be facing directly into the sunrise. I've tried on<br />several occasions to try to catch a glimpse of the orbiter coming in as I was<br />in Cocoa Beach or the city of Cape Canaveral but you're just too far away.<br /><br />Whether you get lucky enough to get on KSC or have to settle for the US1 site<br />you're in for a real treat. A landing is every bit as exciting as a launch.<br />During a launch it's Boom, Zoom and in two minutes it's gone. But with a<br />landing you have time to soak it all in. The key is picking it up visually as<br />soon as possible. The thing to remember is at 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) the<br />orbiter can be seen directly over the landing sight. Look straight up and<br />watch for the puffs of smoke coming from the Reaction Control System (RCS)<br />jets. Once you pick those up you should have no difficulty following it<br />around the HAC and all the way down. Contrary to popular belief the thing<br />doesn't land silently. When you've got an object that big and bulky cutting<br />through the air at that velocity you get a wind rushing noise that has to be<br />unique.<br /><br />US1 in Titusville can be accessed from SR50 from Orlando or I-95 from the<br />North or South. Local radio stations that have the best NASA coverage for any<br />NASA related event are WMMB AM 1240 or 99.3 FM. Prior to any operation events<br />can be followed locally on TV channels 2, 6 or 9. Or pick up a copy of the<br />local newspaper The Florida Today. Some hotels in the area also carry NASA<br />Select.<br /><br />Kim Keller <kekeller@mindspring.com> writes:<br /><br />It is amazing that a vehicle as large as the orbiter would be hard to see<br />landing, but it is! Here are some tips. The orbiter approaches KSC from<br />either the northwest or the west, depending on the orbital inclination. As it<br />enters the vicinity of KSC, its altitude is somewhere between 12 to 15 km. It<br />will look like an airliner at high altitude, if you are fortunate enough to<br />catch sight of it before it enters the heading alignment circle. Sometimes,<br />you may catch sight of short contrails as the aft RCS thrusters are used to<br />assist the rudder in steering the vehicle. They are the best clue to catching<br />sight of the vehicle at high altitude, but they are unreliable; you may or<br />may not see them. I start looking in earnest for the vehicle when I hear the<br />PAO announcer say the vehicle is approaching Titusville. At that point it's<br />helpful to know which direction the orbiter is approaching from. Generally,<br />if it's returning from a high inclination orbit, it'll approach from the<br />northwest. If it was a low inclination orbit, look to the west. As it flies<br />over the runway, it's still at high altitude, and will begin a turn around<br />the heading alignment circle. The direction of the turn depends on the runway<br />direction the orbiter will use. The turn takes it out over the Atlantic.<br /><br />KSC has one runway, referred to by two numbers: 15 and 33. These are<br />abbreviations for compass headings of 150 and 330. 150 runs from northwest<br />to southeast, 33 is just the opposite. The PAO announcer will have announced<br />much earlier which runway will be used. This will determine where the best<br />place to view the landing would be. If runway 15 will be used, your options<br />are limited. You will need to be in Titusville to see the final approach.<br />There is a park on the edge of the Indian River at Route 407 which gives the<br />best view of the area of the runway, but you won't see the runway itself. It<br />is about 8 km from the park. When the orbiter touches down you will lose<br />sight of it, except perhaps for a view of the tail. It depends on how high<br />the trees have grown!<br /><br />If runway 33 is in use, you have more options. The best place to view is from<br />the parkway near the KSC Industrial Area. You can take some excellent<br />pictures from this spot. This is just past the KSC Visitor Center. If you are<br />in this area, the orbiter will pass from right to left. As it approaches, you<br />will be able to hear it. The airflow over the structure and the sound of the<br />APUs combine to make it sound like a powered jet. You will also see one of<br />the Shuttle Training Aircraft flying loose formation off to one side. It will<br />disappear from view to the north as it reaches the runway threshold. Other<br />viewing spots for a 33 landing are the Beeline Expressway between Merritt<br />Island and Cape Canaveral, or along the Indian River at Titusville.<br /><br />Shuttle Re-entry Flyovers<br />=========================<br />For an example of a shuttle entry plasma trail photo go to<br /><br />http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/shuttle/images/<br /><br />Todd L. Sherman (afn09444@afn.org) has these suggestions about viewing and<br />photographing shuttle re-entry flyovers:<br /><br />You'll first need to go to the "Sightings" section of the NASA Shuttle Web<br />site ("http://shuttle .nasa.gov/") a day or two before actual landing and<br />look at the sightings list. The top part will be for viewing the shuttle over<br />your own city while on orbit. Keep scrolling on down and you'll come to the<br />REENTRY sightings list. This list will list many cities along the incoming<br />flight path and offers appearance and disappearance azimuths, maximum<br />heights, approximate times post-max-alt that the sonic boom should be heard,<br />etc. (I'm trying to convince them to post, from now on, data for the<br />ALTERNATE landing opportunites as well. Up till now, they've been posting<br />only for op #1, which is nearly always waved off and, never updated once that<br />happens.)<br /><br />I've tried to catch the shuttle as it flies over Gainesville but have always<br />been clouded out whenever it happens and I've got a camera in hand. Thus, I<br />can't offer any working experience there, either...shutter speeds, apertures,<br />film brands and speeds. Sorry. This part is a mystery I never see covered,<br />and it would be nice if someone who HAS tried it before would offer his or<br />her own experiences for others like me.<br /><br />Edwards Landing Passes<br />======================<br />For a landing pass at Edwards, Mary Shafer (shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov)<br />says: (Steve Handler (cityfarm@aol.com) advises us: The Public Affairs Office<br />at Dryden Flight Research Center says that there are no landings scheduled in<br />1995 for Edwards and thus they are not giving out any landing passes at this<br />time. They also indicated that the ability to see landings at Edwards is via<br />the courtesy of the Air Force.)<br /><br />There are three ways to see the Shuttle landing at Edwards AFB, listed in<br />order of restrictiveness of access and availability.<br /><br />1. The East Shore area on the lakebed. Take Hwy. 14 to Avenue F and follow<br />the signs or take Hwy. 58 to 20 Mule Team Road and follow those signs. This<br />area is opened about 2 days before the scheduled touchdown. The viewing area<br />is an unimproved area so don't expect many amenities. I think that there are<br />sanitary facilities and that food and drinks can be purchased. It's<br />suggested that you bring food and water. Nothing is required for access to<br />this area. If any viewing is allowed this site will be open. The only times<br />they don't open it is for the DoD's classified missions.<br /><br /> Burns Fisher (fisher@skylab.enet.dec.com) says the view you get depends<br />on exactly what course the shuttle comes in on. If the shuttle lands on the<br />ascending node of its orbit you only see the shuttle coming straight in and<br />landing in front of you...but not too close. For a descending node landing<br />the view is much more spectacular as you see the shuttle turning and passing<br />right above you (described by Burns as "a *gorgeous* sight!").<br /><br />2. The hillside viewing area. This is on the hillside, just above<br />Ames-Dryden, and requires a special pass. This pass is good for one vehicle,<br />with any number of passengers. You can't enter the Ames-Dryden complex but<br />you can walk down the hill to the cafeteria and the gift shop, etc. More<br />amenities, including radio transmissions from the Shuttle and JSC. Some of<br />us believe that this area has the BEST view of the landing. I believe that<br />the Hillside, like the East Shore, is open for all unclassified missions.<br />These passes can be obtained by writing, as detailed below. Ames-Dryden<br />employees can also obtain them.<br /><br />3. Official guest. Access to the Ames-Dryden complex. You get to watch the<br />landing from the ramp, which is right on the lakebed. (The Shuttle lands<br />some distance away, depending on which runway it uses.) The crew speaks to<br />the crowd just before they return to JSC. There are special aircraft<br />displays (including the SR-71, F-15, F-18, X-29, etc.) in the hangars. The<br />radio transmissions are broadcast. This method is only predicted for a few<br />missions this year. Opening the Facility is fairly labor-intensive and very<br />disruptive, so we won't do it for every possible mission.<br /><br />You can write, as detailed below, to obtain these badges and parking permits.<br />To obtain a hillside pass or official guest badges, write to:<br /><br />NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility<br />Public Affairs Office<br />P.O. Box 273<br />Edwards CA 92523-5000<br /><br />Do this early, because there is a limited amount of space. If you get these<br />and then discover that you can't attend, please try to pass them on to<br />someone else who can use them. Incidentally, there is _no_ charge for any of<br />these.<br /><br />Come see the Shuttle land--it's great. Wear warm clothes!<br /><br />If the Shuttle lands in the morning, it will be cool to downright cold.<br />Forget the myth that the desert is always hot, it may be in the low 60s even<br />in the summer at sunrise. It's frequently freezing in the winter. If it's<br />much warmer, it's because the wind is blowing.<br /><br />However, if you're an Official Guest and will be hanging around until the<br />Astronaut Departure Ceremony, it may be warm by then. Wear layers.<br /><br />Especially, wear warm footwear. Official Guests will be standing around on<br />the cold, cold ramp and all your body heat will seep out of your feet into<br />the concrete heat sink. Running shoes work well. Hillside Guests will be<br />sitting up on metal bleachers. The portions of their anatomy in contact with<br />the bleachers (feet and seat) may get _real_ cold.<br /><br />Here is a list of Freqs for the White Sands Missile Range<br /><br />Military Police: 36.100 141.250<br />Laser Operations: 173.5625<br />Drone Operations: 164.500 172.400<br />Cooling: 168.000<br />Maint: 34.490<br />Missile Tracking: 412.875<br />Range Control: Channel 1 36.510<br /> Channel 2 34.850<br />Telemetry: 38.450, 38.710, 38.950, 40.100, 41.450<br />Photography: 30.090, 41.430, 139.440<br />NASA operations: 34.310, 164.100, 169.075, 169.400<br /><br />SSME Test Firings (thanks to David.M.Seidel@jpl.nasa.gov)<br />=================<br />The Stennis Space Center in Mississippi does Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME)<br />test firings, which, if I understand correctly, can be viewed by the public.<br />Try their public affairs office for details. The Marshall Space Flight Center<br />in Huntsville, Alabama also has an SSME test facility where you may be able<br />to view the firings.<br /><br />Press Site Passes<br />=================<br />If you are a legitimate, working member of the media, or have close connections<br />with someone in the media or NASA, you can be an official Press/Media<br />representative. This allows you much closer viewing, and material from NASA on<br />the mission. If you cannot be verified as a legitimate media person, your<br />request for accreditation will not be honoured. The Press Site is just east of<br />the "Dome" at LC-39 near the VAB. The shuttle while on the pad is obscured from<br />view by the launch towers.<br /><br />Requests for accreditation should be mailed/faxed to the accreditation<br />secretary two to three weeks prior to launch. The request must be from a<br />credible media source and it must be on company letterhead stating the<br />requester(s) full names, social security number, affiliation and purpose<br />(i.e. John B. Quick, 111-22-3333, Time Magazine, photographer). The letter<br />must be signed by the requester's supervisor/editor/or person in charge. All<br />calls concerning accreditation should be given to Leslie. These requests can<br />be faxed to (321) 867 2692. After you are accredited, you can call the Media<br />tour info number, (321) 867 7819 for Photo ops, remote camera setups, etc.<br /><br />Public Affairs Office<br />Attention: Accreditation<br />M/S PA-MSB<br />Kennedy Space Center FL 32899<br /><br />Call (321) 867 2468 a couple of weeks after submitting the letter to make<br />sure that your name is on the list as an accredited press type person.<br /><br />VIP Passes (Julie Clements and others)<br />==========<br />Astronauts families and other VIP's are situated at the VIP site 1.5 km<br />north-east of the VAB and away from the press. The site is only 5.3 km from<br />Launch Pad B, and 6.2 km from Launch Pad A. It offers great viewing of a launch<br />and is near the site for the new Apollo exhibit site which encloses a Saturn V.<br />You can see the backside of Pad B and therefore don't see the initial ignition<br />very well. Any overflow from the VIP stands are sent to the Static Test Road<br />site (which is considered to be a VIP site).<br /><br />The day before launch, all VIP guests, including crew guests, must check in<br />at the KSC Visitor Center prior to launch day and pick up their launch<br />credentials. The personalised bus tours are no longer offered.<br /><br />The day of the launch, you're transported to the VIP launch stands via bus<br />from the parking lot of the KSC Visitor Center. Adjacent to the Saturn V<br />Center are the crew guest bleachers for astronaut families and friends. These<br />bleachers are accessable by going through the Saturn V Center or outdoor<br />entrances to the north and south. To the south of the Saturn V Center are a<br />separate set of bleachers for guests of NASA administration. Each person is<br />given a coloured button which indicates which stands they are allowed in.<br /><br />Children are now allowed at the VIP site, so photographers will have to deal<br />with tripods being tripped over and sound recordists plead with parents to<br />have their kids stop kicking the chain link fence. <br /><br />The crew guest area is heavily controlled by the site managers to ensure that<br />only the people who belong there can gain access to it. Even the busses that<br />take the crew guests (aka Extended Family) park away from the VIP busses, the<br />crew guest busses entering the site from the north and parking at the north<br />end of the Saturn V center. The immediate family of the crew are given the<br />option to view the launch from a more secure area, the LCC roof.<br /><br />About ten minutes after the launch the buses return and take the VIPs back to<br />the KSC Visitor Center. From there, VIPs must contend with the traffic<br />themselves, which is filled with all the people coming from the Causeway and<br />Static Test Road sites.<br /><br />VIP passes are very difficult to get, but may be obtained if you personally<br />know someone who can officially nominate you. Nominators include your Congress<br />representative, NASA officials, and astronauts and experimenters for a given<br />mission. If you are not a family member or friend of a nominator you should<br />expect your nomination not to be honoured by NASA. International visitors<br />wanting a VIP pass need first contact their embassy in the US.<br /><br />You will need to give the names of all the people attending the launch with<br />you, your affiliation, and your mail address to your nominator. Non-US citizens<br />also need to give your citizenship, date and place of birth, and your passport<br />number to your nominator. If approved, the pass is then mailed to you.<br /><br />Request your pass or passes at least 3 months in advance. Asking for a VIP pass<br />even a month in advance is just about hopeless. NASA puts together the VIP<br />guest list for a launch way in advance. Actually, you are not requesting a VIP<br />pass, you're requesting a VIP invitation. All VIPs are invited guests of NASA.<br />So, the process is that you ask to be invited, then they invite you, you accept<br />via RSVP card, then they send you the necessary instructions. If you are<br />invited by NASA HQ, a vehicle pass for the KSC Visitor Center is included in<br />the invitation itself.<br /><br />When you contact your nominator, be very specific. State the STS number and the<br />target launch or landing date for the launch or landing you want to see.<br />Whether or not your request is approved by NASA HQ is, in part, a function of<br />how many VIP invitations have already been issued. If the Banana Creek site is<br />full, you may be sent to the Static Test Road site instead.<br /><br />VIP passes are on a per-person basis, meaning that you'll need a pass for<br />each person in your group.<br /><br />To get an idea of what it is like to be a VIP at a night shuttle launch see<br /><br />http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~stanj/Travel/STS-93/index.html<br /><br />Barge Turn Basin Passes (KSC Visitor Center News for 16 February 1996)<br />=======================<br />These passes are no longer available.<br /><br />This is a