Monday, October 10, 2011

Floating Launch Platform Odyssey

A L O H A !


Even at this distance,
that is an interesting vessel 
approaching Honolulu Harbor









Looks like a Multi-Hull










photo courtesy of wikipedia

 " L/P Odyssey 
is a self-propelled semi-submersible
mobile spacecraft launch platform  
converted from a mobile drilling rig in 1997.

The vessel is currently used for
equatorial Pacific Ocean launches. 

In her current form, Odyssey is 436 feet (133 m) long
and about 220 feet (67 m) wide,
with an empty draft displacement of 30,000 short tons (27,000 t), and a submerged draft displacement of 50,600 short tons (45,900 t). 

The vessel has accommodations for 68 crew 
and launch system personnel, including living, dining, medical and recreation facilities.

A large, environmentally-controlled hangar
stores the rocket during transit
and then rolls it out and erects it 
prior to fueling and launch. "


Interesting visitor!
Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell/crussell@staradvertiser.com
Here you can see how it dwarfs
Honolulu's Aloha tower
@ pier 10

She departed for Southeast Asia
on Friday.

Thank YOU
for 'docking' here a while.
                                       comment?  warmly, cloudia

31 comments:

Lynn said...

That is very cool - I couldn't have imagined such a thing. You truly live in a wondrous place. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks, CC. I wondered how that platform worked and thought perhaps it was towed by a smaller boat. Glad for your timely information!

KrippledWarrior said...

Way cool, Cloudia.

FilipBlog said...

I have never seen such a platform before. Very special.

Greetings,
Filip

Windsmoke. said...

Bonza :-).

Rosaria Williams said...

The beauty of living by a port!

Heidi said...

That vessel is quite interesting and so are your pics. What a great place Hawaii is. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week!...Heidi

Anonymous said...

hugeness.

how very impressive what humankind is able to build.
please have a good tuesday you all.

DeniseinVA said...

Wow, those area great photos Cloudia. Having stood next to Honolulu's Aloha Tower, I can just imagine the size of it, incredible!

Elephant's Child said...

That looked like it belonged in a space odyessy. Thank you lots for sharing.

21 Wits said...

Quite an amazing sight to behold!

nazelet said...

This monster next appears in "Floating Platform Takes Over NYC". It looks like its about to take a step.

Carol said...

Cool. I didn't realize how interesting a harbor can be until I took a tour up and down the San Diego shoreline, a huge horseshoe shaped area. Do you ever get nervous/feel like a target?

Hilary said...

Wow.. that's one big beastie. Thanks for this.

Commander Zaius said...

mobile spacecraft launch platform

With the shuttle program cancelled I look to anything I can find to support my hope space exploration will continue.

foongpc said...

First time seeing such a thing! Thanks for sharing! : )

The Weaver of Grass said...

And I thought from a distance that she was a luxury liner.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What fun to watch it from a tiny speck in the ocean right up to it's HUGE size in dock Cloudia. Interesting facts too.

Daryl said...

What an odd thing that is ... sort made me think of that movie Transformers .. .

Marguerite said...

Great way to recycle oil rigs! :) Very cool!

Anonymous said...

Wow - that IS different!

Myrna R. said...

I learned something. Nice.

Betty Manousos said...

how interesting!

the first photo is really stunning!
but i love all of them :)

Charles Gramlich said...

That's what that is. I thought it was an oil drilling platform at first.

bobbybegood1 said...

That is cool. So how are you enjoying your new place? Inquiring minds want to know? Cheers!!

Hattie said...

OMG. It looks like an oil rig. It's so ugly.

Cloudia said...

Yes, I am loving having a view and a harbor to observe. Three Japanese ships are here after a 5 month training cruise - always visitors. When APEC is here next month, there will be HUGE security around the port and ocean!

Thanks SO much for visiting-

Kay said...

Wow! That's huge!

WebbieLady said...

aloha!

Cool photos you have in here...

Ileana said...

Love the pics! Thanks for sharing your funky, beautiful world with us. Aloha, chica!

Dina said...

This thing is incredible!

At the height of your new home you can often call "Thar she blows" about something, I imagine. How exciting!