NASA photo
The space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for liftoff Friday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, weather permitting. It will be NASA’s last shuttle mission.
When we lived in Orlando, we got to see a lot of launches, mostly from random parking lots around town.
Orlando is about 50 miles west of Kennedy, and from that distance, in broad daylight, the shuttle was like a very bright Roman candle with a thick tail of smoke that appeared over the horizon and arced across the sky. It dimmed after a few minutes then became a tiny point of light then disappeared in the heavens.
Once, though, we watched a night launch in New Smyrna Beach, about 30 miles up the coast from Kennedy.
We grabbed supper at this place on the beach and watched the countdown on the TV in the bar. T-minus 60 seconds, we walked to the beach and looked south and waited.
For a moment or two, it looked like sunrise, then the rocket appeared over the horizon. It was brighter than I imagined it would be, and I understood the tremendous power it takes to put a rocket in orbit.
The shuttle flew up the coast toward us. It was miles overhead and miles off the coast, but the flames were so bright I could easily read the numbers on my watch.
We could tell when the solid rocket boosters fell away because the light dimmed, but we could still see it heading north and up.
We lost sight of it after a few minutes, but we just stood there, staring after it, and I realized we weren’t alone. There were pockets of people all up and down the beach, but not a lot. This was probably in ’96 or ’97. Shuttle launches were routine by then. A lot of people who lived in Florida ignored space shuttles the same way they would an airplane overhead, but we still have airplanes.
Soon enough, there won’t be any more space shuttles.
What a beautiful photo.
It’s interesting to know that the launches had become routine again by the late 90s.
We lived about 20 miles south of KSC when the former Mr. Cahier was in graduate school to become a rocket scientist. We could see the launches from our front yard and, sadly, witnessed the Challenger disaster first-hand.
The mood in the entire area was stunned and somber for the longest time. The launches had become routine and that shook everyone from the routine. We’d moved back “home” by the time the shuttle flights resumed, but we knew it was a proud day for everyone there when they did.
I’m sure tomorrow will be an emotional day for everyone at NASA and the extended NASA family, including everyone who’s ever seen one of those breathtaking sights.
There’s so much churn in Florida, so many people coming and going, that a lot of people who live there probably remember the Challenger disaster from TV.
P.S. Sorry to hear the former Mr. Cahier is a rocket scientist, because that gives you one less way to dis him. “Well, he’s no rocket sci… oh, wait.”
Isn’t it amazing how much violence it takes to break free of this planet’s gravity?
I know. Watching one of those take off, you’re struck by the brute force it takes to get into space.
I’m sad to see it end, and wonder if it’s a bit foolhardy. Remember when we tried so hard to stay ahead of the Russians in the space race? Now, we’re relying solely (at least for a while) on them to do any needed space transport. Ironic.
I read somewhere today that the Russian rocket might not be able to deliver parts to the space station, should the need arise.
P.S. It’s incredibly depressing to think the country that invented the right stuff isn’t going to have a manned space program.
Would loved to have seen a launch. But not to have been riding on one!
It’s pretty awesome (and I would have ridden one, if they’d've let me).
It’s so cool that you got to witness history!! Michael is there photographing this last launch.
He’s a lucky guy, Michelle.
Oh, I would have loved to see a shuttle launch. I am sad to be witnessing the end of this era. I hope that the private sector steps up and fills in the gaps, though.
I just finshed reading “Packing for Mars” by Mary Roach. Awesome book! Every sentence was either facinating, informative or hilarious (usually a combination of the three). I highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in space travel.
I’ve heard of that book. It does sound interesting. I hope SOMEBODY steps in.
I missed the last launch by two days, wish I’d been able to catch it.
If you ever get the chance to go to KSC, absolutely do!
There’s so much history there. Also, alligators. (It turns out that the U.S. space program is based in a swamp.)