Space shuttle night launch....

dengood1

dengood1

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....is something everyone should get to see. I live on the west coast of Florida, 110 miles directly west of Kennedy Space Center and the shuttle lit up the sky tonight, even where I live! Night launches are awesome.....my kids have never seen it go up at night and they looked like they saw Santa Claus!

Alright, alright.......I did too:D VERY cool!

061209_shuttle_hmed_615p.hlarge.jpg
 
I went to the Kennedy Space center when I was younger to watch the shuttle lift off, bunch of us were as close as you can get (think they keep you a mile away?), that sucker is loud when your right there LOL. I didn't see anything tonight, thought it would haven't mattered since one of the neighbors down the street has been lighting off massive fireworks for the last 4 hours, not sure why lol.
 
By the time I realized and ran out it had only become a pathetic white dot in the sky :(

This is what happens when they set back launches all the time and suddenly decide to actually launch for once! Everyone is caught off guard
 
woho there was a swedish guy in there first swede in space
 
totally cool! thank you for sharing that with us. in calif., you just don't see that!
 
For all of us West coasters who might feel deprived about this. Do not know who can see it, their above Santa Barbara. Next launch is scheduled for sometime Thursday.

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/


I love the smell of carnuba in the morning
 
Nothing like seeing 7+ million pounds of thrust going across the sky from across the state on a crisp, clear evening:righton:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16099441/

launch the video......sometimes I can "feel" the rumble about 10-15 minutes after the shuttle launches.
 
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I've worked at the Eastern Range for a few years now, and the very best location to watch a Shuttle launch is from the top of the Vertical Integration Building (mostly known by it's intials - VIB), but you need to know a NASA manager to get up there.

Second (IMO) is out on the NASA Causeway (between Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The public used to be able to get there with a car pass - you needed to know someone, but they were never too difficult to get (I used to get them for visiting friends/family). Unfortunately with the current security considerations, the only way to get there now is to be escorted by a NASA or Air Force employee with a Cape Canaveral badge (and there are limitations even then).

These days I guess the public's best viewing spot is at Jetty Park.

One final thought. The very best Shuttle launch to watch (especially at the Causeway) is one just before sunrise. The Shuttle lifts off in the dark, giving that blast of light and sound (feels like giving yourself a bunch of Tarzan thumps on the chest), then moves up into the daylight. If you get the chance to witness one, you won't forget it.
 
My wife and I went out side after the launch last night but we could not see anything. I think it must have been to cloudy by us. In Cape Coral we are in south west Florida but people have said they have seen the shuttle take off from here.
 
Aw man!! I didn't know they were doing a launch tonight! :( Even if it's just a tiny flame in the sky I still get excited to see it, even as far south as I am. All my life I've wanted to see a launch in person, but every single time that we've gone to Kennedy Space Center when a launch was scheduled they would always cancel it. :( I still would love to see it in person some day before I die.
 
I remember watching TV as a young boy when the President said that we were going to the moon. I remember it so well because that was something that a preteenager and his father had in common. My father never took a day off for anything but he always made time to see a space launch that was televised. I know it is not the same thing but it is something that I will always remember. Someone said that they wanted to see a launch before they die. I know that my Father thought that as well. The comment made me think of my Father who always loved a space launch. I am sure that he had a good view of the most recent launch. He has not been with us for twelve years. But it was nice to be reminded of that commonality that we had.
 
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