As an undergraduate student, I was a member of the college media, which allowed me access to certain press-specific events. One such event in October 2003 was a tour of the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) Hi-Bay 1 at Kennedy Space Center.

My colleague and I were escorted in a small group. We walked under a jungle of platforms and pipes to a clearing with something closely overhead. It took me three full minutes before realizing we were standing under the Space Shuttle Atlantis! Hundreds of tiles of various hues of dark gray lined the bottom of the orbiter. We walked right by Atlantis' large wheels, covered in plastic to protect the tires. Assuming the role of photographer for the story, I snapped many pictures.

We were ushered to the back of the bay where we could see a massive wall of construction. Off to the side was the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) and other unidentified pieces of hardware. We took turns climbing up a short set of stairs to see a low platform better. I was pleasantly surprised to actually see part of the side of the shuttle, with bits of the painted American flag and words.