Discovery Launch- May 1999 Cape Canaveral

A Lifetime Thrill

There are no adequate words to describe the thrill and excitement of being right up front at the Discovery launch last week. We arrived at Kennedy Space Center Wed. afternoon and checked in to get our information packets and bus passes. We were just in time for a special NASA Guest tour.


I have toured Kennedy before, but this was for the launch. We were taken out to a pad next to Discovery. This time it was an up close and a very awesome sight.


Early Thurs we headed back to Kennedy, boarded the bus to go out to the viewing stands, and prepare for the countdown. Watching the activities around us was fun. We were in prime seats, siting amid NASA employees, 3.2 miles from Discovery. The huge countdown clock informed us of the minutes before blast off. It went into a normal hold pattern at 20 minutes, then again at 9.


The stands were filled to overflowing as the eastern horizon began its slow dawn awakening. Slits of morning light embraced the launch pad, as the sun inched its way above the earth. Rising adjacent to Discovery, its slashing rays of orange lit up the sky, heralding a new dawn and a new space adventure.


“Ladies and gentlemen! Please stand for the National Anthem,” a voice announced over the speakers. I felt the rising anticipation surging around me. Voices became subdued and then hushed as the countdown approached 10.


Silence permeated the air at 9, 8 then in unison the crowd gazed at Discovery, at first mouthing the numbers, then joining in the countdown. 7--our eyes are focused on Discovery, 6--our bodies tense, 5--we are in awe, 4--we call out, 3--the roar drowns out our voices.


The countdown is over, the shuttle lifts off, and it is now that I cannot find words to describe the sense of awe, of pride, of amazement, of pure wonder and emotion that I experienced. It was truly beyond description.


Written, June 1, 1999 - Treasure Island, FL