We had a hotel room in Cocoa Beach and joined the other guests on the 8th floor to watch the lift-off. No tail of fire like we'd expected, but it was pretty incredible to watch.
The next day we went to the Kennedy Space Center and spent the day. To say we were awe-struck is an understatement. We saw rockets, we saw models of space capsules, we walked on the gantry that the Apollo astronauts walked on. We went to the I-Max theatre to see a 3-D film about space and the Hubble Telescope, we saw the Space Shuttle Atlantis, we went in the shuttle simulator and felt what it's like to take off. We had the most incredible day and didn't have time to take the bus out to the launch pads--that alone is 2 1/2 hours. We will be going back, probably this Fall if they're having a daylight launch. You can view it from the viewing stands at the Space Center.
The launch we saw was an unmanned mission to resupply the International Space Center.
We learned about the present mission they're working on, the Orion missions that will begin going to Mars and sometime in the 2030's will culminate in a manned mission to Mars lasting somewhere between 2 1/2 - 3 years.
The pictures we took don't do justice to what we saw, can't wait to go back.
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| Here it is, no fire tail like we'd expected |
Incredible - what a visit. No wonder you want to go back.
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Wow, I can understand why you are so awe struck what an incredible event to view. I have been to Florida many times and have never gone across to the Space Centre, maybe on our next visit. Take care.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post today !
ReplyDeleteSo envious, so much fun and too much to see.
cheers, parsnip
Not really my field of interest but I can still imagine it to be amazing ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm love that place! My mom lives just south of there and it was my kids' favorite spot to visit. We watched some night launches from their front porch and the whole neighborhood would be outside and cheering! I'm glad you enjoyed it, too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a really fascinating trip and something completely different to experience.
ReplyDeleteMy brother was there a week ago. He said it was awesome and the highlight of their florida vacation:)
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing. So glad you had a wonderful time:)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a fantastic time. Mick, Daniel and my dad went to the Kennedy Space Centre whilst we were in Florida and they thought it was fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat experience! I had no idea the public can watch launches.
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call an amazing trip! What a great thing to do - no wonder you want to return to watch a daytime launch. Think I may have to add this to my ever-expanding bucket list.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome experience! Glad you enjoyed it. x
ReplyDeletedoing a bit of catching up on reading blogs....what a fascinating thing to go and see! xxx
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