We All Do What We Can Do - Shuttle Workforce Tribute

[littlefife324]

go Dan!!!!!

[MichaelTJohnston]

Wow Dan, this was awesome! I found myself crying and laughing at the same time. It was wonderful seeing all the people who made flying this beautiful ship possible. If you're about to watch this, grab some tissues. You'll need em!

[shuttletechfrank]

Great video! I worked on the Orbiters from 2002 to 2006...Endeavour, Discovery, Atlantis and Columbia. Amazing machines all, lovingly prepared and maintained by the best workers in the world! I have many great memories of my time there, and even though I left the program over 5 years ago, I still keep in contact with many friends I made while I was there. I live in North Carolina now, but I made sure I returned to the Space Coast for the final launch...the end of an era. Thanks for posting!!

[kittypie070]

It is you who have seen the Orbiter Vehicles with your own eyes, it is you who have touched them with your own hands, it is you who have read their downlinked telemetries, **it is you who have spoken to the crews** and given

all possible aid and guidance, it is you who have given your love and work to them from the least distance, where I, a civilian, could only watch from a greater distance. Please..preserve the knowlege you have.

It must exist for as long as mankind exists.

[RocRizzo]

Many thanks to all who made the Space Shuttle Program possible. You are all patriots, and deserve commendation, AFAIC. Everything that the program has done for everyone on Earth is taken for granted by many.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

[RandomRockets]

This makes me homesick for my brothers and sisters at KSC. Well done!

[TaniaLenceria]

THANK YOU!:)

[bsdude010]

That was Epic Dan. Thank you.

[dankeenan2007]

We just finished the intial FOD Walkdown and Pad A looked clean. The team is ready for the launch, and the Space Coast is bracing itself for a massive crowd to watch Endeavour's final launch this Friday. We learned recently that the soundtrack, at least a minute of it, is going to be played as a wake up call on orbit by one of the astronauts holding the sign in the pool; Mike Fincke! Great guy! Seems to me, if they can face the dangers of launch, we can face the uncertainty on Earth... Let's go!

[spacelady51]

I am crying tears of pride. Being part of the Shuttle was the best 10 years of my life. I worked in the Firing Rooms as a CMQC supporting all hazardous operations that could result in loss of life or damage to flight hardware from landing to launch. We would be tied to a headset at our desks for 12 hours a day for as many days as it took to get her into space and loved every minute of it. Our names will never be on a plaque, but we know who we are and what we did to make history happen.

[dankeenan2007]

@spacelady51 My brother Tom Keenan worked as a TPE for many years in the firing rooms. Do you know him? Through him and the other TPEs I learned about those long duration sessions on console. THANK YOU for your service to this mission and our country... And as you said, while our names may not be on any plaques, we know who we are and what we did, and in the end, it is not the scribbles on a plaque that give us a sense of pride, it is knowing we gave our all, together, when it counted. Thnx!

[beckwik]

I worked on the Shuttle program between '92 and '99, billing the cost-type contracts for the Shuttle Program. I am very proud and honored to have had a minuscule part in this monumental effort. I am still working for Boeing, and the Rockwell employees seem to be dwindling, but our camaraderie will never disappear.

[tropikeys]

When the Apollo program came to a close, we knew that it was not the end, because the Shuttle was coming. Although we do not know the details yet, we know that another program will follow the Shuttle -- someday soon. American space exploration will never end - there will just be an occasional pause to catch our breath.

[Jingles325]

What a wonderful tribute to some really amazing people! Great job on the video and song Dan..thanks so much for sharing!~

[jhanley11]

I know Bob "Hoot" Gibson and his wife. I wil pass this along to them if they haven't already seen it. I know how much they seem to appreciate all that was done by you folks!

[dankeenan2007]

I ask commenters to speak your truths, and to focus on options and solutions if discussing the dynamics and decisions within the space industry. We did our jobs, looked for problems then fixed them. We focused on what we could control, and let the rest fall where it may. This is not the place for disparaging remarks. Please speak your mind, just keep it honest and polite. An ounce of negativity feels like a pound to people going through this massive change. ALL SNIPING / NEGATIVITY will be X'd

[SCGTV199]

We would be happy to post this video on the "Save America's Space Program" Facebook page if you could e-mail us written permission. Thanks!

[ChrisAstro30]

Makes me cry...Great tribute!

[dang1953]

This video brought me to both tears and laughter all at the same time. How do you summarize my 25+ years working on this wonderful program? I just watch this video and bathe in the warmth of the memories and friendships. We really are a family.

Yes, I feel the same.

[dankeenan2007]

@dang1953 It did the same thing to me as I made it... so many of the smiling faces looking back into the camera were pictures I took. As I edited hour after hour it would hit me that these happy faces were smiling at me... bam! ...oh man, where's the tissues!?! Major holes punched in my "man card." :)

[TileEngineer]

Every one of the 22 voices and instruments you hear in this song are Kennedy Space Center space shuttle workers except one, and he is the son of an Apollo engineer. This video wasn’t made by some anonymous production company; it was made by US, the workers who put our hands on the space shuttles every day and our hearts into them every launch.

[TileEngineer]

Some of the people you see in these photos hired in for "a summer job" 30 years ago and never left. Some were BORN 30 years ago and have never known a time when we did not launch ourselves into space on these beautiful spacecraft. It breaks my heart to see the shuttles retire, but I look forward to a time when I can have the privilege to support American manned space flight again. Thank you America!

[TimMcFisher]

This video reminds me that everything we do in space--robotic or human--is borne out of the love and labors of a large team of skilled and dedicated humans here on earth. WE are the spirit of NASA. As long as the fire burns in us, the dream stays alive. I will commit to doing what I can do to bring a new dream to reality. Thank you for the vision and encouragement to keep pressing on...

[dankeenan2007]

@TimMcFisher Thank you for writing this... you said it so perfectly. I love that you committed to doing what you can do to bring a new dream to reality... that sense of empowerment and action is what, in my most hopeful moments, was what I shot for... goal one - Honor our Family... goal two - Call to Action... call to remember what it took, and what it means, to do something great... the work to create the next "something" that benefits others now, and well into the future. Thanks Tim!

[sedge315]

I lived on the river across from the cape and was fortunate to see every manned launch up until the shuttle because of military duty and mobilizations.  I always admired those with the space program and especially those that were fortunate to go into space. God Bless the families of those who gave everything in the pursuit of the space program. It was great seeing the last launch back where I saw my first launch. My hats off to all who were part of the space program and supported in any way.

[voodookitty6669]

My father is a member of the shuttle building team... I just want to say Thank You to him and everyone else that has worked so hard through out the past 30 years to make this happen... Thanks Bear!!!!

[sgtkipper]

wonderful tribute :)

[BadKitty0718]

Thank you for taking the time to create such a wonderful video. As an ISS employee, I share with you the pride and honor in working in the "space family".

"Space... the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before." Captain James T Kirk

[dankeenan2007]

@BadKitty0718 Wasn't the tribute with his narration amazing!?! How cool is that?

[dvaud]

That was awesome - God bless the USA!

[cathyhazzard]

So.. I dont know a soul personally who worked @ KSC... but I do know I'm teary eyed watching this video, and with heavy heart feel the same pain all true Americans are feeling at tthis moment..it's sadness not anger. Its pride and spirit.. thats something we will never ever loose. I am proud of all of you and know this fact...as a fact.. .... a twist can happen and change the entire picture right back into opur hands the way it began. Keep the faith~stay proud, and KUDOS on amazing video~

[dankeenan2007]

@cathyhazzard Loved this Cathy... There is much hard work to go. We are grateful for your kind words, especially as someone outside of space operations who cared enough to write. Most people do not know how much their lives are improved by NASA. Not everyone who drinks from the well takes time to remember those who dug it... When the bucket comes up dry, "the twist happens," they suddenly do. We here will grieve, then America will grieve... and all of us will wake up to the new reality...

[DigiArc]

Read my posts again. I have not mentioned any president or any political viewpoint. I stated that this was a video tribute to workers. Not a political forum.

[DigiArc]

Again, please leave this area as a nice tribute to the Shuttle workforce. Political debate does not belong here. It is very disrespectful to these folks.

[TwinkleSqueakie]

This is a fabulous video. I have worked at KSC for 23 years and I cannot put in words how proud of the program I am. I teared up both times I have watched the video and think I probably will every time. Thanks so much for making it for all of us.

[Pioneer1953]

This is the first video I have seen that displays the true "Spirit of KSC" as it was and is. These folks are a subset of Americans at work. They are enjoying themselves doing a job where there can be no failures and proud of their accomplishments. The smiles are real despite the shutdown of the Program and this typifies their attitude toward challenge and adversity. They will always be successful in whatever they do. Well done.

Love, Dad

[ucfdelt]

I remember seeing my first launch when I was in grade school from Orlando and count myself lucky to be part of a family that put our mark in space. The video was great and I recognized so many faces. Thank you for the tribute and the lasting memories.

[dankeenan2007]

Our agenda is a shared one; to do the best we can do to help our country and mankind. Thanks for keeping the focus on what is important right now... honoring good and dedicated people. Our friends and our "manned space family."

[SpikeMaduro]

*** EXCELLENT ***

Thank you for a wonderful presentation!

Great graphics and music.

A very touching tribute to the men and women who help make it happen.

D. McLaughlin

[DigiArc]

@SquirrelFromGradLife This video was made as a tribute to the men and women who work hard for the manned space flight program. They are not politicians or celebrities. Right, wrong, or indifferent: your disparaging political remarks are NOT appropriate on this thread. Let the folks who may likely lose their jobs in the near future have their 15 minutes. Respect the soldiers whether you like the war or not. There are plenty of other forums for those discussions.

[DarkDoz]

I grew up watching every Apollo and shuttle launch. I hold my breath on Throttle up and wrote a song for NASA Wakeup contest. I am very proud of our country and the NASA workers. Big thank you for taking great care of the Shuttles. This is a Great Video and love the songs. Good job

[cryznluvx0x0]

I want to say that you did an AMAZING job on this video and song . My mother is shown in this video a lot and she helped with the background singing . I really HATE that our government is ending this beautiful shuttles, I've been around the shuttle and kennedy space center all 18 years of my life , it very much apart of my life as all you guys who work there . I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed all these years .

[TheTexasTammy]

We know who stopped the race!  VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!

[SquirrelFromGradLife]

@TheTexasTammy So you are saying that people should never vote for a republican again because Bush effectively shut down the Constellation program?

[Budmaester]

We are winners who will never stop. Who stopped the race?

[MsAmyBug]

Such a wonderful video, brought tears to my eyes. I will so miss this....

[GolfCartSpeedyLink]

Thanks for capturing the spirit of our team for all the world to see Dan. It has been an honor and a privilage to work with such inspiring and extraordinary individuals. The efforts and sacrifices made for the benefit of America and the world should not be forgotten!

[dankeenan2007]

@GolfCartSpeedyLink I had a lot of wonderful help... i just tried to honor our family, and to not mess up a great story... they won't be forgotten... at least not for a long time. Thanks for all of your efforts and sacrifices! And the great attitude- that is the key ingredient to our success; smarts, technology, luck, were all secondary to the "will" we exerted onto this mission... Dad worked Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle. He used to read strip charts of 0's and 1's... they worked w what they had.

[Tlovaglio]

Awesome video! ~ I love that each dot represents someone that gave it their ALL!

[dankeenan2007]

@Tlovaglio That was Erin's idea! She said, "I have an idea... ", then she muttered something about "dots," and then asked to borrow my projector. The next day she came to work with her finished work... it turned out amazing didn't it?? The people at KSC and throughout the space program are such cool folks... mostly it's their attitude! CAN DO! WILL DO! WANT TO DO! Then... THEY DO IT! That is what I will miss... ALL OF YOU!!! Oh, and our beauuuuutiful birds! The pads... the bays... the VAB... :)

[txaggienaut]

I miss all my friends! Fantastic video Dan!

[dankeenan2007]

@txaggienaut I am guessing this is you my Boeing friend? Hope you and J are well! We miss you guys too. :) Keep the faith!!

[sgrablow]

Cool video, I guess I should have bribed you guys more to get in it :-p