NASA TAKES CONTROL AT THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE
2001-04-16T14:07:05The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has appointed Jim Harrington, a retired Launch Director, to represent the agency at “Thunder Over Louisville 2001: A Festival Odyssey” on Saturday, April 21.
Requests for NASA’s involvement began in the summer of 2000 to have the agency involved in the Airshow and fireworks spectacle, given the theme of this year’s event. Attempts to secure the Space Shuttle for a fly-by appearance in the nation’s 5th-largest Airshow did not materialize due to the Shuttle’s busy launch schedule in April.
Harrington, who joined NASA in 1966 as a Test Director during the Apollo Program-launched Apollo’s 6, 9, 12 and 15, will activate the Launch Control Panel from the Thunder Command Center atop the Galt House Hotel. The two “Thundernators” – hand transplant recipients Matthew Scott and Jerry Fisher – will await a signal from the retired NASA Launch Director to ignite the show.
Harrington helped ready the Space Shuttle for its initial flight and was in charge of its landing operation at Edwards Air Force Base when John Young landed the craft. He was appointed the first Flow Director for the Challenger and was later appointed Director of Shuttle Operations. In 1996, Harrington’s team was responsible for launching eight Shuttle missions on time, on the original schedule.
Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, will begin at 3 PM on Saturday, April 21, with the Airshow and Foodfest. The fireworks begin at 9:30 PM. Thunder is sponsored by Blue Chip Broadcasting, Caesars Indiana, Ford and UPS.
