Endeavor

My love affair with the United States space program and the great expanse beyond began early on in life.

Growing up, I always wanted to be an astronaut.  I would proudly tell anyone who asked what I would want to be when I grew up that I would be one of the first astronauts to cultivate the moon.

Early on in high school, after adamantly stating that I would be an astronaut, I rode my first roller coaster causing me to rapidly change career paths.  If I could not be an astronaut, I would teach the future space explorers.

When my friends in college caught wind of my previous aspirations, I received a Styrofoam moon with faux flowers stuck in it for my birthday.

On my birthday several years ago, my father and I made a rushed trip up to NAS Carswell to view the Discovery shuttle as it was on its route back to Cape Canaveral.

Last year, my family and I made a journey across the state to view a live launch when word that the last launches using the current fleet were coming to an end.  It was a very emotional, inspiring day.

As I prepare for work this morning, I sit in front of my computer to watch the final launch of Endeavor and I find myself crying yet again.  It is true human curiosity, bravery, and unity that brings these missions to reality.  There are truly no words to express the well of emotion that is experienced through this launch.

All I can say is that I can't believe that this program, as we know it, is coming to an end.  Only one more launch remaining.




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I have always been fascinated by the great beyond.  At one time, I could name and distinguish all the constellations visible in the Washington night sky.  I knew when the meteor showers were without looking up the information and I could tell you the planets visible. Up until the twelfth grade and my first terrifying roller coaster ride in the cold December winds,  I wanted to be an astronaut.  I even took classes in highschool (hydroponics) so that I could be one of the first astronauts to help colonize the moon.  My choice of careers changed right after the first harrowing drop on that cold day in Six Flags. Even though my career pursuits have shifted, I am still drawn to the outer space.  My homepage is actually the Astronomy Picture of the Day.  I am a frequent visitor to the NASA homepage.  And on various nights through the month, I’ll take a blanket, some tea, and my iPod out to the driveway to peer up at the night sky through the city hazy and lights. Last September the weather was horrible in Cape Canaveral so the Discovery (STS-128) had to land at Edwards AFB and then trek across the United States making a fuel stop in Carswell JRB in Fort Worth.  My father and I were there to witness it taking back off into the sky on top of a modified 747 mere yards from the runway.

Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center

  After that day, I was determined to make it out to a shuttle launch.  On May 13th my trek began.  May 14th I found myself in Orlando, Florida with my father, sister and step-mother.  Four hours and only 41 miles later, we pulled into Cocoa Beach to work our way up to the Cape Canaveral.  It was straight out of a movie.  At 2:19 everyone on the crowded beach stood up and faced north.  Cameras were prepared.  Radios were tuned to the correct frequency.  And then… There was a roar as this trail of flames lifts straight up.  The beach bursts out into applause.  The sap I am started to cry but continued to snap pictures as quickly as I could.  Binoculars were passed between the family as we all strained to see the shuttle at the head of the fire in the sky. 

Atlantis just prior to roll

 A minute or so into the launch, the loud roar stopped.  Seconds ticked by, the crowd held their breath, and then the roar returned full force to the sound of more applause.  Atlantis had made it through one of the crucial points in the sequence.  Our eyes strained to stay with the shuttle until it was out of sight.  We watched until the contrail stopped signaling the rocket boosters breaking away to fall towards the Atlantic Ocean.  We watched until it was as bright or faint as Mercury would be at dawn.  As Atlantis was just beginning its final adventure, ours was wrapping up. Four hours later, no rest stops to speak of, a change of clothes and a squat in the bushes later we arrived at Orlando leaving behind a wonderful, memorable adventure. For (unofficial) updates on the mission be sure to check out The Flame Trench.  For more official updates on the mission, check out NASA‘s page.  And for (unofficial) information on the Shuttle era, check out Wikipedia‘s entry.