There is something about physically being at a launch.....

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

michaelmozina

Guest
I had the great fortune last week of being in Florida on business and having the opporunity to witness the Endeavour shuttle launch in person.&nbsp; There is nothing quite like being there with others to witness a launch.&nbsp; I've seen many of them on TV in video before, and I've even waited for a launch that was eventually scrubbed due to bad weather, but I finally had the opportunity to witness a shuttle launch in person, and I am thrilled.&nbsp; It was absolutely awesome and a great reminded of what humanity can achieve.&nbsp; Congradulations and thanks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> It seems to be a natural consequence of our points of view to assume that the whole of space is filled with electrons and flying electric ions of all kinds. - Kristian Birkeland </div>
 
M

MeteorWayne

Guest
Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I had the great fortune last week of being in Florida on business and having the opporunity to witness the Endeavour shuttle launch in person.&nbsp; There is nothing quite like being there with others to witness a launch.&nbsp; I've seen many of them on TV in video before, and I've even waited for a launch that was eventually scrubbed due to bad weather, but I finally had the opportunity to witness a shuttle launch in person, and I am thrilled.&nbsp; It was absolutely awesome and a great reminded of what humanity can achieve.&nbsp; Congradulations and thanks. <br />Posted by michaelmozina</DIV><br /><br />You're a lucky man. My best friend and I have made a pact to see one before the program ends. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
V

vulture4

Guest
You can see and hear it on TV, but if you're there you can feel the shaking in the air, and sometimes you can even smell it. No one really cares exactly where it's going, or what they're going to do when they get there. But it's like the old days when an ocean liner or an airship left New York and everyone cheered; one feels a sense of sharing in something both amazing and inspiring.
 
S

shuttle_guy

Guest
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>....................No one really cares exactly where it's going, or what they're going to do when they get there..............<br />Posted by vulture4</DIV></p><p>I like to think that most <strong>do care</strong>.....&nbsp;</p><p><br /><br />&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
T

trailrider

Guest
<p>It's been many, many years since I saw an actual launch...Gus Grissom aboard Liberty Bell 7 on top of a Redstone booster.&nbsp; I was working as a summer hire for the Navy on the Polaris missile, and we were about 1/2 mile away on the other side of the tree line.&nbsp; Could just see the capsule on top of the booster.&nbsp; Little ol' Redstone wasn't but 75,000 lbs thrust, IIRC, but you could feel your sternum vibrating as the engine cleared the tree line!&nbsp; Ah, those were the days...</p><p>Problem with watching a Shuttle launch (or any other "scheduled" launch) is that you could make reservations for a week, and have the launch postponed for two! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-frown.gif" border="0" alt="Frown" title="Frown" />&nbsp; Maybe, I can get to see one before they shut the program down!</p><p>Ad LEO! Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!</p>
 
S

shuttle_guy

Guest
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It's been many, many years since I saw an actual launch...Gus Grissom aboard Liberty Bell 7 on top of a Redstone booster.&nbsp; I was working as a summer hire for the Navy on the Polaris missile, and we were about 1/2 mile away on the other side of the tree line.&nbsp; Could just see the capsule on top of the booster.&nbsp; Little ol' Redstone wasn't but 75,000 lbs thrust, IIRC, but you could feel your sternum vibrating as the engine cleared the tree line!&nbsp; Ah, those were the days...Problem with watching a Shuttle launch (or any other "scheduled" launch) is that you could make reservations for a week, and have the launch postponed for two! &nbsp; Maybe, I can get to see one before they shut the program down!Ad LEO! Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra! <br />Posted by trailrider</DIV></p><p>All remaining launches except the Hubble final servicing mission go to the ISS which gives a 10 min launch window. The Hubble mission currently projected to be May 12th. That launch window is much longer, I think about 2 hours. Thus you may want to try for that launch since there would be less of chance for a weather scrub.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
B

bpcooper

Guest
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>All remaining launches except the Hubble final servicing mission go to the ISS which gives a 10 min launch window. The Hubble mission currently projected to be May 12th. That launch window is much longer, I think about 2 hours. Thus you may want to try for that launch since there would be less of chance for a weather scrub. <br /> Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>If May 12 it will be 1:11pm. It's about a 60 minute window (was 62 minutes in October). </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>
 
T

trailrider

Guest
<p>SG & Ben:</p><p>Thanks for the headsup! Might try for it...</p><p>Ad LEO! Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!</p>
 
V

vulture4

Guest
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I like to think that most do care.....&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV></p><p>Obviously _we_ care, as space enthusiasts. but I've had friends from out of town ask for launch passes, and really enjoy the experience, without being particularly interested in the details of the mission. And I'm not putting them down. We want to see space explored because it's something we find is emotionally rewarding and valuable. But most people, even those who support space, aren't that involved. Perhaps the thrill and pride they feel when they watch the Shuttle blast off is reward enough.</p>
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts