Another Beautiful Night Launch!

(Photo courtesy of NASA)

YAY! They finally made it up and it was awesome to see a night launch so close to the Cape!

We braved the crowds and decided to try Space View Park which is about 15 miles from the launch pad, right across the Indian River. Since we weren't able to arrive until 10:30, the best spots at the water's edge were already taken but we found a fairly good place that was comfortable. We struck up a conversation with a very nice couple from New York whose son works at the Kennedy Space Center as a software engineer. He was just 3 miles from the launch pad and called to give them updates. The mom is a third grade school teacher and they were both very excited to see their first night launch.

Discovery was first supposed to launch early Tuesday morning around 1:26 am. As one of our first getaways together in more months than I can remember, Evan and I drove down to Jetty Park campground in Port Canaveral with a travel trailer Monday afternoon hoping to see it but the bad weather caused NASA to scrub that attempt. "No Worries", we thought, since we'd booked for two nights and the second attempt was slated for Wednesday morning around 1 am. But alas, at 8 pm just as I was about to load up on some much needed caffeine, we caught a radio report that the launch was scrubbed again due to a possible faulty fuel valve. We were a bit disappointed but grateful that the safety checks were working. I'm really glad that the Friday night launch was successful as it allowed a lot of kids to attend who otherwise may not have if it had been on a school night as originally planned.

Here are various links you might like:

Orlando Sentinel video and article

Video of Space Shuttle Discovery launch.

NASA's page with all sorts of shuttle, ISS and mission information (video links on the right hand side of their page).

(Chilling as we await the launch)

If you are ever in the Orlando area, shoot on over to the Kennedy Space Center. It's a short drive and a fun place. Be sure to see the IMAX films (get there 15 minutes before show time or you may not get in. We missed out on one because we didn't get there early enough). We did see the second film in 3-D about the International Space Station. It was very cool and gives you an idea of what living in space is like. We also liked the Shuttle Launch Experience but be WARNED!.......lots of shaking and jarring (although not side to side). Check out the tours as well. The park is not large compared to the Orlando attractions, obviously, but it's totally worth a visit. Our ticket was good for a second admission within six days (not the same day) so we did the tours one day and the rest on the next.

We couldn't believe how many other languages we heard being spoken by visitors - it was great!