I figured I'd finally share.

So I built a satellite some time back and was sent to scenic Kazahkstan to launch it.

They offered me some extra money to escort it on the cargo plane, so I took it. We were riding on an Antonov, which is beyond huge. Check out the truck for a sense of scale.



Notice the lack of windows? The view was less than ideal from inside.

Paula demonstrates the scale of the wheels:



I was heading to the cabin at the top of the orange ladder.

Check out the luxury!

We were not allowed to use or sit at the tables:



There were at least four seat covers on these seats. This made them lumpy, not cushioned.

When do you get to the good part?

2009. 

At least it was a short flight.

Amazing that thing stays in the air.

Quote from: Monsterlover on March 07, 2016, 07:20:59 PM
Amazing that thing stays in the air.

Dave's satellite?

Quote from: Oldfisti on March 07, 2016, 07:39:29 PM

Dave's satellite?

It is amazing it stays in the air. It's a rough ride. The crew was content to ignore us. The cabin smelled of old cabbage and older Russians. They didn't care if we were standing, peeing, whatevering during flight, take off, or landing.

The ride was so rough I could not tell if we had taken off, were flying, or had landed.

The bathroom was interesting. Two toilets, facing each other. So close that when someone else joined you, you would have to interlace your legs. Cozy. Stainless. Cold. There was a back door to the rear fuselage in the bathroom. This is where the Russians went to smoke. I'm used to company in the bathroom but this was more than I cared for.

We went from San Fran to East coast Canada to refuel, and from there to Iceland. Iceland was a 12 hour layover for crew rest and for the passengers to explore.

The customs guy couldn't be found so they just....let us into the country. Remember that-it becomes important later.

We saw the many sights of Kerflavik, which is to say, not much.







Possibly the smallest hotel beds I had ever seen. The lights would not work without your room key put into a slot, I suppose to discourage energy waste. To those of us who didn't know this, figuring out the lights in the dark was interesting.

Back on the plane now.

I'm in for the ride 

Takeoff, land somewhere in Russia to fuel, take off, land in Kazahkstan.

Again, no customs people around. They just...let me in the country.


Check out the fancy hydraulics on this thing though-nose opens:





It kneels:







Ramp deploys:

Fancy indeed

This customs thing has me interested.

Did you eat at McDonald's in Keflavik? Cause you know, it might be better than in San Francisco?

I hope you get to fly back on a commercial flight.

Amazing stuff in so many ways.
I didnt know you were a rocket scientist.  A rocket scientist with a Sawsall .
I'm on board.
Those toilets add new meaning to the term "mile high club"   .

A slack-arse rocket scientist tease...

MORE STORY.... please Dave... more story....