Author Archives: Michael Criswell

Discovery

Apr
25
2019
by Michael Criswell | 1 Comment

Space Shuttle Discovery OV-103

Discovery

One of my main reasons for wanting to stop at The Udvar-Hazy Center was to get a glimpse of this bad boy, Space Shuttle Discovery. Although the center had a similar display before Discovery, the Enterprise. The Enterprise was built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program to perform atmospheric test flights after being launched from a modified Boeing 747. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield and was therefore not capable of spaceflight. The discovery is the real deal and really cool to see up close and personal! I got to the Center right before it opened, hoping to beat the crowds, but I did not, there were tons of kids lined up already, waiting to get in. When the gates opened I made my way back to the shuttle rather quickly and was able to get shots off before the mass of people, mission accomplished.

Discovery II

Over 27 years of service it launched and landed 39 times, gathering more spaceflights than any other spacecraft to date. The shuttle has three main components: the orbiter, a central fuel tank, and two rocket boosters. Nearly 25,000 heat resistant tiles cover the orbiter to protect it from high temperatures on re-entry. Discovery performed both research and ISS assembly missions. It also carried the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit. Discovery was the first operational shuttle to be retired. Discovery was transported to Washington Dulles International Airport on April 17, 2012, and was transferred to the Udvar-Hazy on April 19 where a welcome ceremony was held.

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Posted in Trains Planes Boats and Automobiles, Washington DC Tagged , , , , , |

Tidal Basin

Apr
23
2019
by Michael Criswell | 3 Comments

On my quick little trip to Washington DC a couple of weeks ago I had it all set up to meet online photog Jimmy Jones on Friday morning to shoot around the Tidal Basin and catch the beauty of the blooming Cherry trees at sunrise. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had plans of her own, I awoke to a steady downpour of rain Friday morning along with a temperature drop that made for miserable conditions. I still made my way down to the basin and met Jimmy.  We meandered around in the steady rain for a while trying to get a couple of shots and make something of the morning but the gray cloudy sky and a persistent downpour of rain made shooting virtually impossible and downright cold. Here is a couple from the morning I tried to salvage, the trees in bloom are a sight to see and meeting Jimmy was awesome.

FDR Memorial

We mostly hung out around the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial which is located at the Tidal Basin. The memorial, which honors the 32nd president of the United States, is composed of four “outdoor rooms” which represent each of President Roosevelt’s four terms as commander in chief.

FDR Memorial II

After about 30 minutes we both decided we had enough and there was no break in the weather in sight, so we went to plan B and had breakfast together before we both hit the road home. It is always great meeting friends in person you have known online for years. Here is a shot of Jimmy before we packed it in, please don’t mind the noise, it was a High ISO morning lol.

Jimmy Jones

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Posted in Landscape and Architecture, Washington, Washington DC Tagged , , , , , , , |