My mom lives in Melbourne, Florida which is approximately 30 miles south of Cape Canerval, where the Kennedy Space Center is located. My stepfather George and I decided due to the strong sun it would be best to leave the baby at home with grandma and mommy. Upon the advice of some of the local folks we decided to try and sneak a peak from Titusville which is north of the launch site. We left at 11:00 AM for the 2:00 PM scheduled launch. We ran into a traffic jam after 2 miles on Interstate 95. Luckily, it was due to construction! We arrived at a spot that looks accross the bay at the launch site. This is just as it leaves the pad.
To the right in this photo shows the assembly building. I was looking through a video camera (B&W!!) so it was not the view I expected.
Probably the "neatest" picture we took. Realize that I do not utilize "neat" or "cool" in my vocabulary all that often. This was a neat experience.
Here is where it pulls away from the pad
Here it is going to space. The shuttle actually arcs out across the ocean and if you watch it from inland there is a pronounced smoke trail at about a 45 degree angle as it heads east over the ocean. Because of our location it appeared to go straight up. E.J. was clapping and yelling when it finally went off. He is wearing out the video rewatching it. I hope he never forgets the experience. I surely will not.
Here Are two "Official" NASA photo's of the above launch. Based on our visit to the Kennedy Space Center - all of these photographs are taken by computer as no one is allowed within seven miles of the launch pad.
Here are "Official" photographs from the night launch of "Atlantis" on May 15. You can access every launch of a shuttle through the above link.
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