Working at Kennedy Space Center
The world's premier Space Port
I have been privileged & sometimes suffered to work on the highest launch towers and the deepest tunnels under the launch pads. The firing rooms, the remote beach radar sites, the Shuttle Landing Facility, the Orbiter Processing Facilities, the iconic Vertical Assembly Building and the Mobile Launch Platform communications interface.
So I am offering up some everyday photos of the center, because everyday I am thrilled to work in a science fiction story!
Raising the curtain on the Space Shuttle Atlantis display at the Kennedy Space Center visitor center (On my Youtube channel)
Nothing ever changes at the Space Center (KSC visitor center)
Tarpon and snook at SpaceX creek!
The sound of the double SpaceX boosters landing back at the space port!
Forgive me for getting overly excited. (The clip is on my Youtube channel)
Stepping out of the Launch Pad Operations desk, the breathtaking view of the SLS/Orion. Artemis 1 that will circle the moon without a crew.
This very rare shot is from the lightning tower platform looking east at Artemis 1. You can see the matching tower platform on the left.
My co-worker was fixing a camera while I was on the 280' level of the launch tower and I telephoned to the lightning tower "Hey take my photo!"
A SpaceX booster returning to land at the cape. The sonic boom does not happen until the rocket is below the tree line, making one ask "Was that normal?"
Pull over for the charred SpaceX booster being transported to the new SpaceX refurb factory.
Page Two of "Working around KSC"
Dawn, ULA Atlas Launch from the adjoining Space Force Base!
Camping at KARS Park on KSC,
Full moon over the Banana River
Speaking of the moon, the competition to land.
(Working in a Sci-Fi story) -SpaceX won that contract.
Desk brochure by NASA
The new NASA Headquarters building and morning fog.
View from the O&C roof!
OSB-2 building, 5th floor balcony
(The location for Important people to watch launches)
The VAB is to the North with the new Artemis sign
(We are going to the moon!)
A model of SLS/Orion moon rocket in the new NASA Headquarters building. The O&C is in the background, where the are building the new Orion space ships.
NOW, look at SLS model in the photo above, then look at this photo of the SLS and the person on the test stand, bottom right of the photo, for a jaw dropping perspective of what it takes to get to the moon.
(My Photo is from the 16th floor of the VAB)
Launch pad 39A
The SLS/Orion that makes up Artemis 1, the unmanned launch around the moon.
View of Banana Creek, the VAB, the three old Space shuttle hangers and OSB-1
The Space Center Nude Beach (is that not the craziest thing you never heard of?) Sea turtle tracks in the foreground.
The park service does not enforce the clothing rule.
Easily a 1000 people strip naked every day to burn their normally unseen body parts. My opinion they could be the CFG "Cult of the fried genitals" because even in near freezing weather they are missing their clothing.
A warning sign on the Space Force Base next to KSC.
The sign is a useless attempt to keep people away from the giant alligators that live between the two bases.
My lost history tour of Kennedy Space Center
The Space Force Base next to KSC.
Sci Fi story!
SpaceX launch from the Space Force Base.
"Night into Day"
(This personal photo was sent to me)
A brief look at the SpaceX Falcon launch. Most people do not even bother to watch the launches. Imagine that?
Artist celebration of the Space Shuttle Program.
The shuttle fleet retired in 2011 and almost everyone (except the comm group, fire and security) were fired, or rather 'let go'
My sad "Fall of the House of Shuttle" page
Columns outside of the Launch Control Center
The aisle-way setting where the alien takes up residence in my sci-fi book "Woodpecker" & around the corner is where the OSHA representatives sneak off to vape.
(FYI, Both the alien and OSHA are fiction -"Maybe")
Inside partial view of VAB, A Tower near where the shuttle debris is stored. In the space shuttle days, this bay was called "Safe Haven" a space shuttle hurricane refuge.
In my upcoming book about KSC technicians I have a few stories about the creation of Safe Haven!
Little known fact about the VAB: it is by far the dirtiest building on the space center, but with incredibly fast elevators.
Sunrise KSC, on the North Banana River No motor Zone
Pad 39A, at dawn and the SpaceX Falcon and Dragon capsule before launching to the International Space Station.
This photo is not mine. It was sent to me and I assume it is a NASA photo.
under construction!!
4000? photos to pick from?
Do you need the perfect gift?
For pet lovers around the globe, "It's a Matter of Luck" is a collection of heart warming stories of horse rescues from the slaughterhouse.
Available on Amazon:
It's a Matter of Luck: Inspirational, Heartfelt Stories of Horses Given a Second Chance.
by Kim Ryba & Lina T. Lindgren
Warning: This book may cause your eyes to water in a good way. (speaking from experience after reading it)
Please give Kim and Lina a heartfelt review on Amazon!
Author Bruce Ryba at Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39B & Artemis 1. "We are going to the Moon!"
Author's discussion (that's me) on You Tube of a book review on Amazon
For the video versions of information, please check out my YouTube Channel (Turkeys, Flintknapping, dive stories etc.)
My fictional series/stories on Florida history:
Freedoms Quest (book one)
Struggle for the northern frontier and other lost tales of old Florida.
Available on Amazon
Desperate times call for bold action.
In a desperate move to retain Florida and protect the treasure-laden galleons on their dangerous return journey to Europe, the King of Spain issues a royal decree offering refuge to all English slaves who escape Florida and pick up a musket to defend the coquina walls of Saint Augustine.
In another bold gamble, the King offers refuge to the dissatisfied Indian nations of the southeast who will take up arms against the English.
Clans, traumatized by war and disease, cross the Spanish Frontier to settle the cattle-rich land and burned missions of Florida.
Follow the descendants of the conquistador Louis Castillo in remote Spanish Florida, a wild and swept by diseases, hurricanes, and northern invasions.
Book Two: Available on Amazon!
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