Shuttle Launch

Last month, Steve and I accompanied my brother, Bob and his wife Mary, to Florida to watch the Space Shuttle Launch on Nov 14th. He was invited by his friend - Shuttle astronaut Don Pettit, to be his guest at the launch and also at a BBQ on Cocoa Beach with the Pettit family the night before the launch. It was wonderful to meet his brave wife - Mickey, and his big family. It was a beautiful night on the beach, with the full moon rising.

The day of the launch we spent at the Kennedy Space Center, before being shuttled out to the causeway by the Banana River to view the night time launch.

Seeing this event, in person, is absolutley incredible.

STS-126 Endeavor left the launch pad at 7:55 EST on November 14. Not only does watching this huge rocket seemingly lift the Shuttle ever so slowly into the night sky take your breath away, it is the delayed shockwaves that you see and feel about 30 seconds after lift off that give you the personal touch! The sound hits you then with a tremendous roar, and on the moonlit river you can see the ripples on the water, as well as in the few light clouds in the sky.

The photos I am attaching to this post were taken by a fellow observer that was on our bus. I was looking at his photos on his camera as we road back to the KSC, and was amazed at the clarity he obtained with his shots. His name is Steven, that's all I know and he graciously emailed them to me last week. I think you will agree - they are beautiful.

A Picture Perfect Launch

Below is a 5 minute time lapse from lift off to when the Endeavor left our sight.

God Speed Endeavor.

PS .... For those interested in a more detailed accounting of this event- you can read my brother's story which he wrote for his web site. STS-126 liftoff of Endevour.

Thank you Bob and Mary, for including us on this once in a lifetime trip!