Such Swans need to fly.
They’re big. And out of habitat. Feathers doubtlessly ruffled?
Like reluctant children dragging their feet.
Bumping into things on purpose to slow down progress.
Rough weekend for two flighty ones.
Two swans in motion.
(Image: http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk)
In the past always a bridesmaid never a bride, she was excited someone wanted her.
Flattered there was a battle for possession.
Expectations soared. The big ones called!
Hustled carefully aboard for her flight, she felt like a celebrity.
People were cheering!
The wind under her wings brought back such memories.
The victory sweep took her triumphantly across New York.
To be cherished is wonderful – rewarding.
Elegant swan pair. (Image. WIKI:Marek Szczepanek)
Then the insult.
Wings having sliced through the blue sky were to be splashed with water.
Barged.
Towed like a sack of potatoes – pushed from behind – not by earth-rattling explosions – but by a grubby tug boat.
Shoved and bumped among her petticoats.
Enterprise pushed by tug.
(Image: Dennis Jenkins/www.collectspace.com)
Did she lashed out to express her displeasure at such treatment?
She may have been just a prototype, but by her wings, she had flown.
She knew proper approaches and landings.
To the escorts of the NASA shuttle Enterprise, this trip must have reminded them of trying to shove a mad cat into a transport crate: all four feet grabbing the edges.
Petulantly, the Enterprise slugged a navigation guide for a New York railroad bridge on June 3rd.
She pretended not to notice the wooden bumpers as they neared the bridge until the last minute.
Angrily scraped her right wingtip along the bridge barrier breaking off foam chunks.
Was it, “You may be able to make me go, but I don’t have to like it”?
Enterprise. Captured.
(Image: Dennis Jenkins/www.collectspace.com)
Her chaperones, alerted by the first incident, were anxious as they approached the Cross Bay Bridge.
There was just a few feet of clearance on each side of the narrow passage.
And the vertical space was tight.
Seemingly compliant, the shuttle began passage through.
But on a sudden whim, she lifted her wings in a sudden gust of wind – and banged into the bridge abutment.
It was enough to disturb her handlers although examination revealed the damage was cosmetic.
More foam ripped away from the leading edge of a flap, but no serious damage.
But perhaps a point made?
Only a few scratches, like a starlet’s chipped nail, to get their attention.
She was a star. And deserved respect.
This watery trip was so against her nature.
Sigh.
Soon a small final flight.
A swan song.
They will carefully lifted her – like a Swan Lake prima ballerina floating in the air .
Then lower her to her final nest aboard the Intrepid Sea and Space Museum.
High above the water, she will ignore it – and pretend the motion is not from waves.
She at least has memories of flight – even if it was a gliding one.
It was flight, partly fulfilling her original purpose.
She had that memory.
Unlike that other one.
That poor delusional ugly duckling, Explorer.
That replica always striving to mimic her older siblings.
That one would always be lacking.
A flower girl for 18 years.
Simply a decorative accessory.
A lawn decoration.
Explorer heads home. (Image: http://www.abclocal.go.com)
But at least that poor step child shuttle also was offered a home.
Not to wish any ill will, but it was best for Explorer to accept what she was:
A display.
A wannabe.
Tried to counsel her.
Give her hope and a sense of purpose.
Explorer arrive JSC. (Image.www.click2houston.com)
“They wanted you.
Just ignore the complaints that you are a consolation prize. Second best.
You were designed not to explore, but to be explored.
To ignite imaginations to help us all.”
That’s what she had said.
Trying to make the best of it.
And hoping the people in Houston at Johnson Space Center would treat Explorer kindly.
Tried to sooth Explorer’s fears:
Worries about losing her identity, her heritage, and her connection with space past.
There were rumors of renaming her – always a concern of adopted children.
“Maybe it will be something wonderful – not touristy or regional.
Shuttles belong to the world, not a one place.
NASA dreams big.” Endeavor reassured Explorer.
“They call the city H-town. And think of it!
You are the one chosen to go where the real spacemen live and train!”
Endeavor hoped that would satisfy.
Explorer’s celebration at the Clear Lake dock
(Image: Robert Z. Pearlman/www.collectspace.com)
Maybe a name like Hope.
A noun and a verb.
Or perhaps Honor.
Open-ended like space itself.
“Live in the moment of the transport.”
She’d counseled Explorer.
“When the hydraulics lift you high in the air over obstacles -
When they bank you over trees and signal lights -
Savor that feeling!
It’s little like flight.”
She hoped Explorer listened.
It’s all that she’ll ever have.
Spending life in a parking lot.
Sigh.
At least there are others nearby, like the Saturn Rocket, to whisper their memories and dreams of space.
Explorer damaged at sea (Image: ABC/ktrk news)
Still with a small sense of family pride, she listened to the chatter about the replica’s homecoming.
They talked how Explorer transport hadn’t gone quite as planned.
She had cracked up a bit from the trip across the Gulf – but nothing serious. Easily patched up for the grand procession down Clear Lake.
But she flew through the narrow bridge passage.
And how the mock shuttle blushed amid the cheers and fireworks.
The final leg of the trip longer as she was a tad larger than expected. But all safely done.
Mission Control Houston: Explorer has safely arrived!
“All’s well that ends well,” Enterprise considers as she waits her own final act.
Waiting to take her final bow. Just like the other Shuttles.
Swan family. (Image: http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk)
Great white birds gracefully sinking into deep sleep.
Like Sleeping Beauties dreaming of being awakened.
Dreaming of flight.
Sleeping Beauty (Image WIKI)
A flighty mix of metaphors,
Phil,the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read More:
Enterprise:
- “Space Shuttle Enterprise damaged at sea, delivery to Intrepid delayed”. (Photos of wing damage. article, and pictures. http://www.collectspace.com)
- “Space Shuttle Enterprise Damaged at Sea as Weather Delays NYC Intrepid Trip” (VIDEO. article. http://www.space.com)
- Intrepid Air and Space Museum. Space Shuttle Enterprise arrives! Info. Photos. Explore what the museum has to offer.
Explorer replica:
- ”Space, Lemons, and Lemonade.” Outstanding eyewitness blog post and photos of Explorer’s arrival ( bridge shots and more!)
- “Shuttle replica arrives at Johnson Space Center“. VIDEO of replica going down NASA RD 1. article. photos (NBC /click2 Houston news)
- “Shuttle replica takes Sunday drive to Space Center Houston” . article. photo (Fox News)
- “Space shuttle replica docks in Houston lake docks in Houston lake, launches Shuttlebration” article and photos Explorer arrives at JSC.
- “Space shuttle Explorer replica arrives in Galveston” – VIDEO. A few repairs and a little rest before heading to JSC (ABC News)
The US Space Program, like Sleeping Beauty, waiting for a hero to waken her.
Sleeping Beauty – a fairy tale fountain in Germany
(Image: WIKI/Norbert Sdunzik
MY FAVE OF YOURS …..
I KEEP ON SAYING THAT …I KNOW ./…
BUT THIS ONE TOTALLY GETS ME XO
Thanks for chewing through to the end – it was a little long. Always appreciate you stopping by.
I LOVE SWANS ………………..
SUPER LOVELY …….
THE SYMBOLOGY OF SWANS ….
THEIR GRACE …….
I DUNNO —- THIS ONE WAS SUPER LATERAL …..
MY FAVE SO FAR XO
I HAVE A SONG THAT IS CALLED UNSEEN TIDES AND SWANS ARE ALWAYS IN MY LIFE SOMEHOW ……..
OHHHH…. YEAH – A GREAT BAND “RAISED BY SWANS ”
DO YOU KNOW THEM ?
IT’S AMAZING WHEN ONE WORD – CAN SPIN YOU INTO A FULL FEELING ……:)
AWESOME POST …..
XX
C
THe shuttles have always reminded me of swans (and a ballet in space) – but not sure if anyone else would see it. SO glad we’re on the same wave length. (Yes, know the band) THanks again
YAY FOR SAME WAVE THINKERS ….:)
Beautiful piece, my friend.
Thanks for flying by. Appreciate your kind words
That’s beautiful! I love the metaphor. The shuttle always reminded me of sort of combination of a swan/goony bird.
Shuttle are awkward duckies on land – but once launched – such style. Thanks for shuttling this way
But of course they are birds. That’s why we grieve their grounding.
As for your analogy — “trying to shove a mad cat into a transport crate: all four feet grabbing the edges” — I loved and appreciated it as only a cat owner could. And your close, about Sleeping Beauty, gives me hope as nothing else has. Thank you for that.
The shuttles’ retirement and grounding is terribly sad. They cannot just become a tourist attraction. They must not be the final chapter. So unwise. Meanwhile while dreamers dream, go Space-X!
Thanks flying the narrow passage over here!
The end of an era. I wonder what will come next for NASA. Will private “enterprise” make it obsolete? Or is there some new “endeavor” that will take it forward again?
It will certainly take something urgent to get people excited about space again – few realize how NASA’s space program have benefitted society. Another thing, where is that adventurous attitude? They managed to get the Enterprise shuttle lifted aboard the Intrepid – there’s a great shot of it passing the Statue of Liberty. Sad to see it reduced to a tourist attraction. THanks for flying by!
Hey that story even made our news! However, the way the BBC told it did not exercise my neurons and synapses quite so much!! Phil, your flights of fancy are VERY entertaining and mind- bending lol
It’s big…well, giant – that shuttle. Hard to realize the scale from pictures – which is one good thing about the shuttles being spread everywhere. The TV screens don’t do them justice – even the lift offs. Maybe by standing next to a retired shuttle – touching one – will inspire a child to discover space, science, and engineering. Who knows what will ignite dreams and start someone thinking, “what if….”
Thanks for flying by to chat!
I love the way you write your posts. Silly me – I actually thought this post was going to be about swans
That picture of the shuttle in the intersection is so cool. Not something you see every day, that’s for sure!
Ha! Life is full of surprises! There are so many great pictures of the shuttles from their trips it was hard to pick. They are just so enormous. Thanks for landing here to chat.
Great post as usual, but I’m going to be non-usual and pose a different point of view. I’m sad for the indignities suffered by the space shuttle but… making way for the new, moving aside with as much grace as possible to another role, not so glamourous but still important, relevant and accessible as never before. We’ve seen similar done well, and conversely not done or badly executed, by human celebrities. I know which I’d choose if it was me.
The shuttle do have a grace and elegance – like swans. Aloof but willing to be accept adoration. They will alway be glamorous – but hopefully seen as more than just a tourist attraction. (You have to wonder about Sponge Bob dancing around as an attraction in the visitor’s center at JSC…but if it gets kids in….)
Presentation must be considered carefully as you say-these giants are now charged with a greater role to keep the history alive, to make space travel touchable and real, and to inspire someone to think “what if…”
That is one good thing about having the shuttles so available to the public and spread out so widely-like they have done with space capsules and Saturn rockets. Even the shuttles’ travels and all the media coverage has been good.
We are waiting the “new” next phase of manned space travel. Usually you don’t sell the old horse until the next one is ready to ride. (Go Space X!)
Thanks for shuttling that astute point of view over here!
Very nice , I like it , thanks .
I’m one of those who doesn’t know how space has benefited society. Starving people all over the world, wars, and we still talk of sending people into space? Why? The answer is probably a post in itself. It all seems to me like nationalistic aspirations from years ago. First person into space. First person on the moon. So what?
The money would be better spent making sure swans aren’t choking on fishing hooks.
What a great analogy – the swan of a space shuttle. It is sad to see such a proud representative of our ‘final frontier’ taking a long winter’s nap out on the lawn. I guess this touring around the area has been the ‘swan song’ for sure.
The shuttle (despite being netted from her flock) progressed down the Hudson like the Swan Queen. Striking photos of her amid skyscrapers, and against the Statue of Liberty. Heats did flutter as she took her final flight and settled onto the deck.
Quite moving. You wish there was some quiet recording by the space ship that would constantly repeat “It’s not just a tourist attraction. It’s not just a tourist attraction…”
You can only hope some child will see that and start the dream anew.
Thanks for saluting the shuttle and stopping by
like a swan is perfect! That alone should life her spirits!! xox
A rare breed! Thanks
The resident space/astronomy expert over at Weather Underground says there’s no question that Explorer will be the one to “live” into the future. His contention is that Houston’s emotional connection to the program and even this little “mockup” will ensure that it isn’t mocked, but continues to be appreciated. I think he’s right.
Yeah, I heard him. I do believe it’s important that the shuttle be out among average people – the space program is so removed from ordinary life. That interest and enthusiasm needs to be re-ignited…nothing like the real thing – which Houston already has.
(And NASA needs to get a smart marketing campaign what the benefits to the ordinary person are)
Usually it’s wise to keep the old horse moving until the new one is ready to ride, though.
Thanks for shuttling over!
I love this post. My favourite of yours so far. Beautiful.
Thanks. Glad you stopped by to visit.
I love the beautiful comparison between the shuttle and a swan; it’s perfect.
Both are so awkward on land – but in their natural element – just beautiful. Thanks for flying by!