Here's a few more observations on the Space Shuttle launch last night.
We viewed the launch from the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex along with several thousand other enthusiasts. This is the closest that a visitor can view a launch, and it is still six miles away from the actual launching pad. During the wait, all the exhibits at the KSCVC are open so we took in a 3D IMAX film of US and Russian launches and the creation of the International Space Station. It was great! We also strolled the rocket garden of previous booster rockets and spacecraft as well as other displays.
We viewed the launch from the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex along with several thousand other enthusiasts. This is the closest that a visitor can view a launch, and it is still six miles away from the actual launching pad. During the wait, all the exhibits at the KSCVC are open so we took in a 3D IMAX film of US and Russian launches and the creation of the International Space Station. It was great! We also strolled the rocket garden of previous booster rockets and spacecraft as well as other displays.
The Rocket GardenAs the countdown proceeded on a big outdoor screen, we could see the pre-launch steps as they led closer to the launch time of 2:28 a.m. As the last few critical sequences passed, people would expectantly applaud as it became obvious that the mission was a "go", myself among them.
Keep in mind that I was a 10 year old kid when the "space age" began. To actually see a real spaceship blast off into orbit - this was going to be incredible! It didn't disappoint.
We could see the live image on the TV screen as the massive rocket engines ignited, literally turning night into day. It was several seconds before the sound of those engines reached us. By that time, the shuttle had cleared the tree line and we could see Endeavour rising straight up at an ever increasing speed, followed by a huge vapour trail. If anything, the light from the huge tail of fire increased. There was a cloud layer at, I'm guessing, 6 - 8,000 feet that reflected the light downwards and outwards. As the shuttle passed through this cloud layer, the light intensity dropped, but it was still lighting up the clouds from above. Unfortuately, that was the last we could see of the shuttle, as the layer was pretty solid. As the light faded, so did the sound, which was more like a deep crackling booming than a constant roll.
Keep in mind that I was a 10 year old kid when the "space age" began. To actually see a real spaceship blast off into orbit - this was going to be incredible! It didn't disappoint.
We could see the live image on the TV screen as the massive rocket engines ignited, literally turning night into day. It was several seconds before the sound of those engines reached us. By that time, the shuttle had cleared the tree line and we could see Endeavour rising straight up at an ever increasing speed, followed by a huge vapour trail. If anything, the light from the huge tail of fire increased. There was a cloud layer at, I'm guessing, 6 - 8,000 feet that reflected the light downwards and outwards. As the shuttle passed through this cloud layer, the light intensity dropped, but it was still lighting up the clouds from above. Unfortuately, that was the last we could see of the shuttle, as the layer was pretty solid. As the light faded, so did the sound, which was more like a deep crackling booming than a constant roll.
Endeavour as it leaves the launch pad.
Passing through the cloud layer as only the vapour trail remains.What an awesome experience! It took us three hours in mostly bumper to bumper traffic to get home, but I'd do it again in a second. Just to contemplate the complexities of such an accomplishment; to appreciate that our great grandparents could never have imagined such a feat, and to have actually witnessed it still fills me with awe and wonder.
2 comments:
CBC News carried quite a bit about the launch... mainly because of "Dexter" the new pair of hands sent up to complement the Canadarm(?). Must have been quite a sight.
db
Wish I could have been there to witness that spectacular event. Like you said, just think of how far we've come in the last 50 years in terms of space exploration. Only a handful of people can say they've witnessed such a significant milestone in scientific history and you guys were two of them!
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