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| A NASA TV cameraman makes adjustments as we await the emergence of the STS 131 crew. His ladder gave him access to the lights over his head. |
The purpose of the ladders was immediately apparent as we disembarked. As I said, I was not on the first bus, and already the predecessors had claimed best positions, with others standing on the step ladders behind them to get a view.
The problem with securing a view of the walk out is that the astronauts walk along a corridor before emerging from the building. There is only a limited space behind a waist high metal barrier - the type used around the world to keep the public back at processions and the like - that has a view down this corridor. And most of the view is blocked by a large tripod mounted NASA TV camera.
Another problem is the massive skywalk stretching across the quadrangle, linking the first floors of the two halves of the U-shaped building. This also served as a weather covering of the door through which the astronauts would emerge. If this were cantilevered from the building structure it would pose no difficulties, but no, it is supported by two massive concrete pylons of square cross-section. These are a serious impediment to viewing the walkout. The astronauts turn left (our right) behind these columns and go to the astrovan, where they momentarily pause, wave to the media (who are about four metres away), then climb into their astrovan.
Most media choose to forgo the corridor view, and position themselves in front of the astrovan. Those, who don't secure this position, have to go further along the line, particularly if they are ladderless.
With spaces filling up rapidly, I went to the left of the exit door, and secured my position by planting my camera case by the railing. From here I would be able to see part of the corridor, the emergence of the crew before they passed out of sight behind the TV camera and one of the pillars, and then again see some of them as they paused to wave to the media. From here I could see the door of the astrovan. Not an ideal spot, but nonetheless much better than some others managed to get.
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Text, images and audio Copyright to Andrew Rennnie, 2010