Space Shuttle Atlantis, Launch Day, Mission STS-132
Space Shuttle Atlantis, fueled and ready for its last voyage, May 14, 2010
Today was one of those days that are almost beyond description. I have been dreaming of going to a shuttle launch for five years at least. I was in Miami last year and missed one by just a few days. Since then I have been trying with some earnest to see a launch. As you may or may not know, the shuttle program is coming to an end after just two more launches. The program has been very successful over the last 30 years, but the fleet of shuttles is aging and the program is drawing to its inevitable conclusion. With that in mind, I decided a couple of months ago to attend this launch of the Shuttle Atlantis on its last voyage into space.
Atlantis, moments after lift-off, May 14, 2010
Atlantis, Moments after lift-off, May 14, 2010, HDR
I have written in previous posts that I almost always couchsurf when I travel. I love having a local person to stay with that knows the ropes and really understands where they live and what makes it special. The accommodations for this trip was a wonderful person in Cape Canaveral named Kim. We arrived at her place yesterday and within in a couple of minutes we were treated to the most wonderful surprise we could imagine. Kim, our excellent couchsurfing host is an engineer for a company that is contracted by NASA. She is an employee of the space center and as such has great access to the launch. She took us out to get pictures last night and then took us to the causeway today for the main event. (The causeway was the same spot that I had spent four hours trying to get tickets for.) It was a wonderful day and it was very exciting to watch the Atlantis take-off. Being with Kim was like having backstage passes to the best concert ever. She was a wonderful host and it was an unbelievable day. I took a lot of pictures, and these are my favorites so far……..
The launch was really spectacular. The shuttle lept off the pad in a blaze of fire and smoke and a few minutes later the roar of the engines hit me in the middle of the chest and did not quit hitting. The shuttle rose quickly into the sky. It was easy to follow it until the separation of the solid rocket boosters and then it became a glowing dot in the sky that slowly disappeared, leaving an appreciative crowd (and Mark Miner) with a memory to last a lifetime. Thanks, Kim for being so gracious and showing us such an incredible time.
Mark
Simply incredible….
WISHED I HAD BEEN THERE, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
THANKS FOR SHARING
A SHARON
Hi Mark,
It’s Tina from Coconuts on the Beach…. I wanted to thank you again for sharing your photos me! They are incredible!!!! You sure do have a way about you that leaves a lasting impression on a person. It’s obvious that you have a good heart. After reviewing your blog, I now have an understanding of couchsurfing. What a great concept! I hope you enjoy your stay here in FL. Keep in touch.
Take Care!
OK- So I’m finally looking at your blog! I’m glad that you’ve had a great time in Miami ~ I know what you mean about the night life! Definately Crazy!!
These pictures are Awesome! The experience I’m sure was breath taking! Glad you shared!
Wish we were back in St. Thomas! That was an AWESOME week…Weather, company etc….Just great!
Hey…How do you always wind up in the right place at the right time…Lucky dog…impressive pictures…I hear they have great still lifes in Rhode Island to photograph..lol
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Watching the shuttle launch was up there with the most exciting experiences of my life. Combining watching the launch with some fun photography made it much more spectacular. It is exciting trying to get “THE” photo.
Mark
Mark,
The whole thing is so awesome, to think you were there, so close.
You get people excited in a lot of fields where we wouldn’t be,
because of your unlimited valuable interests. Thanks for being
who you are, and true to yourself, and the rest of us. May you
always have your zest for life.
Gloria