Over the`summer of 2009, I finally got to attend a space shuttle launch (STS-127 Atlantis) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It baffles me that they have been flying since April 12, 1981 (~29 years ago) and I have never once taken the trip to Florida to see one. Even in the 20 years post high school, on my own, I never did. someone smack me please. and Now there only 5 launches left. Well i'm grateful that I got see one with my kids. I dont think they really enjoyed it now but someday they will remember it. I put my launch video on my iPhone and watch it frequently. So powerful and awe inspiring.
When I arrived at KSC, I already had a visitor center ticket so I could see the launch from ~7 miles away. Even though I had driven the better part of a day to get there, I was in no mood to sleep. I upgraded my ticket to the Up-close tour of the space center. I boarded a luxury bus that took us all over the secured inner part of the space center. This was a dream tour for a space geek like myself. Got to be up close to the VAB, shuttle landing facility, one of the crawlers that carry the shuttles to the pad. the highlight of the tour was visiting the launch pads. The bus went right up to Pad 39-B was was in the process of being converted to handle the launches of the Ares Rocket. The bus ended up on a beach viewing site situated directly between the 2 launch pads, 39-A and 39-B. Shuttle Atlantis was positioned for launch on 39-A. Got to see it from 4000 ft away. What a site that was. That is as close as the public can get to a shuttle on pad. I was being a real geek on the tour and was answering all the questions posed by the tour guide. I'm sure others were like I wish this guy would just shut up. Hey I was in my element. I would like that job, being the tour narrator. Oh did mention the alligators? all over that place. I certainly wouldn't want to try and sneak around there. Gotta love the built in security system that provides.
Seeing all the historical equipment around the various facilities was just very cool. The Saturn V center, the visitor center museums, the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Even got to walk the Catwalk that the Apollo 11 crew did to board the rocket for the first moon landing. Also got to see the Shuttle Training Aircraft making landing passes as well.
Sat in the hot sun for 4 days before finally seeing the launch. I wasn't surprised, the weather in Florida can change by the minute. The delays were actually welcomed because the family didnt arrive until the 4th launch attempt as they were vacationing elsewhere. Delays were blessing in disguise.
Based on where the visitor center is and the height of the vegetation (~20 ft), we couldnt see the shuttle until it had already left the pad. It was quite spectacular seeing it climb. Boy does it accelerate fast. Quite unprepared for that. At the distance we were it did seem smaller than i expected. I was well aware of the delayed sound from the boosters and was expecting it. Remarkable how you can hear it coming over the trees and then it hits. Very loud and you can feel your ears pop from the pressure. It sets off all the car alarms as well. FROM 7 MILES AWAY! The closet anyone can view a launch is 3 miles. I cant imagine how that feels that close. I WANT THAT EXPERIENCE. How to get it, I dont know. Im not a journalist and I dont think I can fake it with increased security these days. I need someone with an in. i have heard that you can contact congressmen to get close up passes. I hate politicians but I might be willing to suck it up for that.
All in All, a great experience I should have done earlier and often. I am going to try and make the finally Shuttle launch expected in fall 2010.
Go for it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYa know, I thought about what I said earlier, and what I really mean is that I expect to hear next fall that you were there and you saw it. Life is too short for try....MAKE it happen.
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