1
00:00:06,573 --> 00:00:08,541
So I'm thrilled to be here today

2
00:00:09,209 --> 00:00:11,945
to celebrate Travis Thompson

3
00:00:12,278 --> 00:00:14,414
and the fact that his suit

4
00:00:14,447 --> 00:00:16,649
as the lead of the closeout crew

5
00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:19,619
for the space shuttle is on display.

6
00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:27,727
The closeout crew

7
00:00:27,761 --> 00:00:30,196
has an awesome set of responsibilities.

8
00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:31,931
They assist the crew

9
00:00:32,198 --> 00:00:34,234
in getting inside the shuttle

10
00:00:34,234 --> 00:00:35,568
and getting strapped in.

11
00:00:35,969 --> 00:00:37,837
And that's complicated

12
00:00:37,837 --> 00:00:39,205
because the shuttle, of course,

13
00:00:39,406 --> 00:00:41,674
is in the vertical orientation.

14
00:00:43,977 --> 00:00:45,011
There's only seven

15
00:00:45,011 --> 00:00:46,746
people on the launch pad at time

16
00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:47,914
that aren't flying.

17
00:00:47,947 --> 00:00:49,582
We all have different duties.

18
00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,351
We get to know the astronauts,

19
00:00:51,351 --> 00:00:52,185
get to see them.

20
00:00:52,185 --> 00:00:53,019
And so, you know,

21
00:00:53,019 --> 00:00:54,421
I want to look them in the eye

22
00:00:54,421 --> 00:00:55,922
and make sure everything's going on

23
00:00:55,922 --> 00:00:57,157
good, because you are getting ready

24
00:00:57,157 --> 00:01:00,960
to leave the earth for three, two,

25
00:01:01,528 --> 00:01:03,329
one booster ignition

26
00:01:03,530 --> 00:01:05,198
and liftoff of Discovery.

27
00:01:05,432 --> 00:01:07,967
You're ready to close up a spaceship

28
00:01:08,268 --> 00:01:11,071
to go on a huge rocket ride

29
00:01:11,337 --> 00:01:12,972
and then operate in a vacuum.

30
00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:15,275
There's a deeply personal connection,

31
00:01:15,642 --> 00:01:16,643
as you realize you're

32
00:01:16,643 --> 00:01:18,311
preparing to leave the planet.

33
00:01:18,545 --> 00:01:20,680
They're the last people you see

34
00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:22,582
before that door is closed.

35
00:01:24,184 --> 00:01:27,420
This is the cap off of the crew

36
00:01:27,420 --> 00:01:29,122
module side hatch.

37
00:01:29,689 --> 00:01:31,091
This is what we would

38
00:01:31,157 --> 00:01:33,693
pressurize the cabin with and seals

39
00:01:33,693 --> 00:01:35,762
all the air inside the ship.

40
00:01:39,532 --> 00:01:41,468
The story of the closeout

41
00:01:41,468 --> 00:01:44,471
crew represents it's the pinnacle.

42
00:01:44,504 --> 00:01:46,840
I mean, it's the most challenging job

43
00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:48,007
you could aspire to.

44
00:01:48,241 --> 00:01:50,977
Travis exhibited the best characteristics

45
00:01:51,511 --> 00:01:53,880
of technical excellence,

46
00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:55,348
but also leadership.

47
00:01:55,615 --> 00:01:56,449
The closeout crew

48
00:01:56,449 --> 00:01:58,318
had to work well together,

49
00:01:58,585 --> 00:02:00,320
and you need a good leader to do that.

50
00:02:00,386 --> 00:02:02,755
He's very special, but he also represents

51
00:02:02,755 --> 00:02:04,224
all those special people

52
00:02:04,491 --> 00:02:06,493
at the Kennedy Space Center who helped

53
00:02:06,493 --> 00:02:07,894
prepare the shuttle for launch.

54
00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:17,403
I'm very proud that it's here on display.

55
00:02:17,437 --> 00:02:19,239
I want everybody to see it.

56
00:02:19,606 --> 00:02:20,840
I loved my team.

57
00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:21,541
I miss it.