(no subject)
Jun. 6th, 2004 02:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpIt's hard to convey the scale of the hardware being moved about in preparation for launch of the Intelsat 10-02 satellite. Although I'd missed the transfer of the ascent unit onto the railcar transporter and the movement of that railcar to hall 111 (where the Proton M sits) I did support the operation during which the ascent unit was mated to the launch vehicle. The following shot is actually a "merge" of three photos I took, processed by Adobe Photoshop Elements:
In preparation for the evening at the Luna, I took along a flashlight and earplugs, neither of which came in handy, thank goodness. Our group -- led by Jim B. -- was small, small enough to allow us to sit in a booth, but in a room separate from the dance floor and bar. Apparently, every table in the "main hall" was reserved, and reservations -- particularly on weekend nights -- are de rigeur.
My assumption that we'd be in town ahead of the bus containing mostly team members from Astrium was mistaken. Our van chased the bus all the way to town, hitting sustained speeds of 110 km/hr along the way (nearly 70 mph). Jim was kind enough to pay the cover charge for the group, and after getting our forearms stamped, we filed into the main room of the Luna.
What can I say of the space? It was about how I imagined it. Dark, the better to see the whirly laser lights and reflections caused by fluorescent ultraviolet lights. A bar ran approximately along the wall of the "northwest" corner of the room. The reserved tables and booths occupied roughly the "northeast" corner. The dance floor was the "southern" half, approximately, of the place, with the entrance/exit in the "southwest" corner. And I did notice that the entrance to the joint was also the lone exit (though I'm sure there must be another egress through the kitchen).
Signs on the wall warn of a 200 ruble "fine" to be paid if you get caught smoking on the dance floor. That's about US$6 and a fairly stiff penalty for lighting up. As with any good nightclub, bouncers were in evidence.
At one point in the evening, everyone rushed out of the room we were in, and our group followed suit. It turns out that in Baikonur, the Luna nightclub features a little lap-dance performance several times per night. What I found notable is that this kind of entertainment is apparently considered suitable for co-ed crowds (guys put their girlfriends on their shoulders for a better view... or perhaps inspiration?). I didn't strain for a good view, and retired to our booth to await everyone else's return.
I started this post with a photo of what I consider to be one of humanity's highest technological achievements. For balance, I present a photo of a facility of the type I had almost forgotten existed, courtesy of the men's room at the Luna:
Someday, when there's nothing else to talk about and the kiddies are asleep, I shall have to recall one of the first times I ran across this design of toilet appliance.
In any event, our group finally quit the place around 2:15 am, getting back to the Fili around 3. I am told the bus got back around 4:30 am.
Cheers...
In preparation for the evening at the Luna, I took along a flashlight and earplugs, neither of which came in handy, thank goodness. Our group -- led by Jim B. -- was small, small enough to allow us to sit in a booth, but in a room separate from the dance floor and bar. Apparently, every table in the "main hall" was reserved, and reservations -- particularly on weekend nights -- are de rigeur.
My assumption that we'd be in town ahead of the bus containing mostly team members from Astrium was mistaken. Our van chased the bus all the way to town, hitting sustained speeds of 110 km/hr along the way (nearly 70 mph). Jim was kind enough to pay the cover charge for the group, and after getting our forearms stamped, we filed into the main room of the Luna.
What can I say of the space? It was about how I imagined it. Dark, the better to see the whirly laser lights and reflections caused by fluorescent ultraviolet lights. A bar ran approximately along the wall of the "northwest" corner of the room. The reserved tables and booths occupied roughly the "northeast" corner. The dance floor was the "southern" half, approximately, of the place, with the entrance/exit in the "southwest" corner. And I did notice that the entrance to the joint was also the lone exit (though I'm sure there must be another egress through the kitchen).
Signs on the wall warn of a 200 ruble "fine" to be paid if you get caught smoking on the dance floor. That's about US$6 and a fairly stiff penalty for lighting up. As with any good nightclub, bouncers were in evidence.
At one point in the evening, everyone rushed out of the room we were in, and our group followed suit. It turns out that in Baikonur, the Luna nightclub features a little lap-dance performance several times per night. What I found notable is that this kind of entertainment is apparently considered suitable for co-ed crowds (guys put their girlfriends on their shoulders for a better view... or perhaps inspiration?). I didn't strain for a good view, and retired to our booth to await everyone else's return.
I started this post with a photo of what I consider to be one of humanity's highest technological achievements. For balance, I present a photo of a facility of the type I had almost forgotten existed, courtesy of the men's room at the Luna:
Someday, when there's nothing else to talk about and the kiddies are asleep, I shall have to recall one of the first times I ran across this design of toilet appliance.
In any event, our group finally quit the place around 2:15 am, getting back to the Fili around 3. I am told the bus got back around 4:30 am.
Cheers...
