Out of this World
Trip Start
Oct 16, 2007
1
42
52
Trip End
Dec 16, 2007
Cape Canaveral,
Florida,
United States
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Last night I was just about to settle in at the leggo table with the preteens who were at the youth center for "Parent's Night Out" when a phone call came in from the General's wife. Would I like to join them at the Launch Center for the Delta II launch that evening? Minutes later I was out the door headed home to eat and grab some travel gear.
There were only three of us and we were accompanied by the general's wife and the Base PR Director. When we arrived at the MOC we were met by two young airmen who were our guides and companions for the evening. The twelve story Delta II rocket that was being launched carries the Kepler telescope and is assigned the three and a half year task of searching other solar systems for planets similar to Earth
Blast Off
. The telescope's cutting-edge light meter will stare at more than 100,000 stars to capture tiny dips in brightness as planets cross in front of them. In 3 - 4 years NASA hopes to present a planetary census to estimate how many "Earths" are circling other stars in the galaxy.Lieutenants Bob and Jason gave us more information than we could ever retain as we toured the Center and headed toward command center. General Bolton and the NASA scientists were seated in the hugh windowed launch command room where they watched the the "T" and "L" clocks, weather, and myriad information as the the time to fire up the rocket approached. We even discussed aborting missions and how it was accomplished - including those that carried live passengers. Not so good. We were told that in the event the wind was not cooperating we might not be able to go to roof to do our actual viewing. We got lucky. We went to the roof AND there it was in living breathing reality on a perfectly crystal clear night with stars surrounding us on every side.
You can see by my pictures that my new camera was not up to the task but if you wish to see what I saw please go to www.nasa.gov.mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html.
Launch
It was truly spectacular. I was unable to catch the Delta II as it separated from the first stage a minute into flight on my camera, but I saw it with my own eyes as the pieces of rocket spewed from the main body and then floated back to earth. Thanks to these satellites I am able to send you this travel blog and call you on my cell. On Wednesday a Shuttle launch is scheduled followed by one of the busiest launch months since 1991. As we were told each launch is a little different, each spacecraft uses different fuel, and each mission has it's own team. What an incredible experience.
So yes, I am enjoying my role as Base Opener at Patrick AFB which I have discovered is located right across the street from the ocean and serves as launch support for Cape Canaveral. No jets here.
Temps are perfect although climbing quickly. My black and beige wardrobe is a little out of sinc here. I've been briefed that I need to carry the requisite lime green and/or pink and change while on the plane. I am still feeling uncomfortable as I begin to remove the layers of clothing that have become part of me.
For the record, Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath was a great assignment
Work
. The Base, the staff, the kids, the work, the planes, the consultants, ....... All were the best. The staff sent me off with some typical UK treats. YUM. In addition I was awarded a challenge coin. It was such an honor to be handed the coin with the accompanying history. I had to keep myself from grabbing it and crying! I will never forget my work with the CDC's. Nor will I forget my lunches at the airfield viewing area with the "Memphis Belle" wagon serving sandwiches to all of we aircraft addicts! I also became a little too accustomed to driving on the opposing side of the road. I have had to remind myself several times to stay on "My" side since I have arrived back in the states. I also miss my short drives to the surrounding villages to dine at the local pubs.I will also remember Claudia showing up at my door dressed and ready for work at 9:30 PM at the end of her first day. She was certain she had slept 16 hours (it was actually only 4) and that it was the next day and time for work. Like I told her, "A dress rehearsal is always a good thing." Jet lag - what can I say?
I know I have missed much - a result of waiting too long and communicating too much outside of the blog. The good news is that you didn't have to hear every detail of my latest bronchial challenge
Coin
. As the British doctor said, "To determine the difference between a cold and the flu, throw a ten pound note on the floor. If you pick it up - it's a cold. If you leave it then it's a good bet it's the flu."Also the best to my favorite green grocer, the women at the Hospice Resale Shop, my bakery buddies, Jeannie and George - my jet clock is in the office!
I've already been to observe a local pod of 60 manatees! One evening last week I watched the group swim languidly under the viaduct in single file surfacing with those tiny projected noses as they exited on the other side. How exciting. Camera? Back at the room.
Comments
welcome back
again the pictures are amazing and what a wonderful opportunity.....your adventures continue to delight us.....stay safe my friend
annie
Hi Friend!
I read all you logs, but of course I HAD to respond to this one because you are at NASA...just another reason to envy you! Hope you are well, I think about you every day!
Miss you- Be well- enjoy:)
Kathy