Old Retired Guy Blog
April 15, 2010
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Florida (Page 2 of 4)The two closest places to view the launch are from the Kennedy Space Center or the NASA Causeway. Both of these locations require tickets, which sold out very quickly. We decided to watch the launch from the closest location for which tickets are not required: Space View Park in Titusville. Our motel was in Melbourne. We woke up at 2 am and drove to Titusville. When we arrived at 3 am on-street parking was scarce so we paid $10 to park in a field about 2 blocks from the park. Hundreds of people were already at the park, many in chairs, some on the ground in sleeping bags, and others standing. I thought for a moment that we had encountered a crowd of people waiting to buy the latest gadget from Apple. We zigzagged through the crowd and found a few square feet of concrete next to a garbage can, which we claimed as our territory. The launch pad was about 15 miles across the water from us and we could see the distant complex bathed in bright flood lights. Then we sat on motel towels and began the three-hour wait until the 6:21 am launch. The waning moon had risen several hours before and added an appropriately celestial glow to the mix.
Everyone was in great spirits and the myriad of languages in the air made this a real international event. As we waited we were treated to a view of the International Space Station arcing across the night sky. A nearby tent sheltered a television that carried live coverage from the launch site. We would know right away if there was any delay in the launch. As launch time neared people got off the ground, chairs were folded, and sleeping bags rolled up. The crowd oozed forward to fill the newly created space. Voices quieted as people began to pay attention to the countdown. With a few seconds to go the first flames could be seen at the base of the rocket. As the countdown hit zero the light intensified and clouds of steam and smoke billowed to each side of the launch pad. Then the sound arrived. Even though we were about 15 miles away the sound could not only be heard, it could be felt.
As the rocket rose it didn't get very high in the sky before it appeared to get lower as it headed away from the launch site and toward the horizon. Although the shuttle was soon out of site, the smoke trail that it left behind remained in the sky changing shape and color as the approaching sunrise started to light the sky. Taking photographs of an intensely bright object in the dark is quite a challenge, but, I gave it a try. For better views of my photos, click on any of the small photos above. For some really great photos, visit the NASA website.
'Florida' |
