You may have noticed the name of my blog is inspired by the space coast of Florida where I live -- home to the space shuttle for the past 30 years. So please endulge me in some non-stamping information. Now this Friday, July 8 at 11:26 am EDT it will be time for the final shuttle launch when shuttle Atlantis and her crew of four astronauts lift off. The photo above was taken by my husband Bill when the crew arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on this beautiful Independence Day. The Atlantis astronauts at the shuttle runway are, from left to right, commander Christopher Ferguson, pilot Douglas Hurley, Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim.
It is a very bittersweet time in our area with this magnificent program coming to an end. I've had several questions about coming here to watch this historic launch and I wanted to share some links I often email to people when they ask. Just click here -- and then scroll down until you see the "best places to watch a launch" section with a map of some sites. And here is one more -- click here for a site that focuses on the photographs you can expect to shoot from each location. The areas along US highway 1 in Titusville are the best public viewing spots -- and it will be very crowded this time!
And to check in on the latest launch news, click here for my husband's CBS News space site.
Godspeed Atlantis!
I remember the first lift off I saw in June/July 1960. My dad was in the AF and we had just driven to Patrick Air Force Base. My Aunt and I were in a laundermart (sp?) and we felt this deep rumble and shake. We ran outside and this little elderly lady said, "Well there goes another million dollar firecracker." We live at PAFB for about five years and watched every launch we could. I especially loved the night time launches. I wish we were going to be here for this launch, sadly we head for home soon.
Marsha W
Posted by: marsha | July 05, 2011 at 10:39 AM
A very nice post about the shuttle program and info on watching this last launch. I have been watching lift-offs since the 1960's and every one is as exciting as the first one. It is indeed sad to see the shuttle program end.
Posted by: Beth | July 05, 2011 at 04:09 PM