A few more pics can be found on my Flickr Photostream .
19. Houston, We Have a Problem
These famous words must be illustrated through your creation. Not too much rules for this one, just make sure you can tie it in with the phrase.
On January 28,1986, STS-51-L "Challenger" was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It marked the 25th ever mission in the Space Shuttle program for NASA. 73 seconds into the launch, an O-Ring Seal broke and caused STS-51-L to explode in mid-air. The explosion killed only a few of the 7 astronauts on board, but the ones who survived died from the impact into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Challenger disaster will always be remembered. I chose to commemorate this moc to all of those who lost their lives on that faithful day, they will never be forgotten.
Just before the launch, thousands of spectators watch to see the Space Shuttle Challenger go into space and visit the ISS.
STS-51-L sits atop the launch pad, ready for takeoff.
The crowd stares in amazement as another Shuttle fight launches, the earth-shaking force is unbelievable to some.
Challenger takes off; it's successful launch is a sign of relief to NASA Personnel.
The Shuttle commences its roll, and starts to head for the outer atmosphere.
It now angles up as it makes more of an ascent. CAPCOM Richard Covey informed the crew that they were "Go at throttle up", and Commander Dick Scobee confirmed the call. His response, "Roger, go at throttle up," was the last communication from Challenger on the air-to-ground loop.
On live TV and seen from spectators and amatuer videographers, Space Shuttle Challenger exploded due to a faulty O-Ring.
Among the 7 crew members was the first civilian ever to be taken into space. Christa McAuliffe of Concord, New Hampshire, was a school teacher who was participating in the "Teacher In Space Project" from NASA. Her students watched the launch live in school, only to see the horror.
The crew members off STS-51-L will never be forgotten.
Greg Jarvis
Christa McAuliffe
Ronald McNair
Ellison Onizuka
Judith Resnik
Michael J. Smith
Dick Scobee
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Extra pics of the build.
Launch Pad overview. This was made to situate the Mini Shuttle I built.
Another shot of the launch pad.
I also built a forced perspective part of the moc, which includes the Countdown Clock and foliage/river seperating the launch pad from the spectator areas several miles away.
I did add spectators to the moc just to make it a bit more realistic, they work very well.
The river, that separates most of the safe viewing area from the launch pad. I wish it could be bigger, but a forced perspective moc doesn't need to have a small ocean.
The other end of the larger dio, with foliage and the micro launch pad.
Overview of the Shuttle itself. I really like this design, pretty accurate for its size.
Just the Shuttle. Sorry if the picture is a bit blurry; my camera didn’t distinguish the black/white of the shuttle on any of my normal backgrounds.
Side shot of the shuttle. Again, sorry for blurriness.
The External Fuel Tank and SRB’s (Solid Rocket Boosters).
FOURTH WALL: Well this was a fun build! Not having the time to post it over the weekend isn't that bad, but with the end drawing closer I need every possible minute. One more entry to go, I just hope my team can keep getting some good scores.
Comments, high scores, and constructive criticism are appreciated! KP out!
Thank you everyone for the kind comments, and to the judges for the great (decent) scores. This was a hard build for me, as I really care about all of the NASA programs, but these tradgedies will always live on. Remember the fallen from Challenger, do not forget Columbia either!
Auch ... That was a hard one ... I recall seeing this live on TV back in the days ... Dont get me wrong, but this made as sad as when i saw 911 2nd plane hitting WTC1 .... Great MOC for a tribute to the fallen ! :)
This is one of those memories that I'll have forever. I was in school and they pulled us all into one of the classrooms to show the news footage. Nice tribute and a good little moc. The FP usage brought it up from a three. Score of 4. ~ Chris.
