I had the pleasure of going to the 7:44pm launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on March 15th, 2009.  This was my second launch, in fact, it was my second night launch, and it is also expected to be the last night launch of the shuttle fleet.

The entire experience was really exciting, and it was fun to see everyone pumped about the shuttle launch.  There were so many geeky people there - many of which I don't think have been outdoors in years.  There were a lot of foreign tourists, as well, and I think that many of them wish scientists back home were as smart as ours.

The tickets force you to get to KSC early (like 2pm - 6 hours early), so I had the opportunity to ride the Space Shuttle Experience ride.  It's definitely not up to Disney caliber, but it does feed you some good facts about the space program and it was better than I thought it would be.

After walking around the park and looking at the rocket area and the Astronaut Memorial, I decided to take in the Imax movie.  Unfortunately, after waiting 20 minutes we were told that we had to head to the buses if we wanted to make them in time for the launch.  It was about 5:00pm, which irked me, but I obeyed. 

The grumpy bus driver drove us to the "causeway" where the best views of the shuttle are, except for where NASA VIP's and the press are allowed to go.  There were lots of chairs and refreshments, and in fact, it appeared that we were early, so I found a seat and enjoyed my iPod for the 2 hours I had to wait.  I was following @Astronautics and @KSC_Updates on Twitter during my wait and had really good up to the minute information on the launch.  I included Astonautic's summation of events from the launch below.   

The launch occurred as scheduled, it went off without a problem (unless you are a bat lover) and it was spectacular.  It amazes me what we are capable of creating and the raw power and speed of the craft is amazing.  Soon after launch the ground rumbled and we could easily see the shuttle rotate and then curve over the Atlantic.  The twin booster rockets separated and were visible for quite some time after they were jettisoned. 

The most peculiar part was the color of the smoke from the shuttle.  The sun had set, but the upper elevations of the smoke still reflected the sun's rays.  The picture below doesn't do the magnificence of the display justice, but you get the point. 

Overall, I was deeply moved by the experience and really enjoyed the launch.  When it was over, we were carted back to the KSC and were unloaded into a gift shop area.  As a note- the KSC visitor's center is not run by the KSC or NASA, it is run by a for profit group and therefore we were bombarded with ample opportunities to buy shuttle trinkets. 

The trip home was the only poor experience of the day.  Traffic was horrendous and there was no organization.  Some people were either sleeping in their cars at the side of the road, or they died of old age waiting for the traffic to progress.  What took me 1 hour in travel time earlier in the day turned into a 5 hour ordeal at night.  Perhaps NASA can have some scientists do some queue theory on the travel patterns at the KSC.  Cest la vie. 

Where I Watched the Liftoff

Video of Launch

Thank you to Niki Wheat for the video.  Click to follow.

STS-119 Events

The following is a listing of the events courtesy of Astronautics from Twitter.

  ·  There's a collection of STS-124 pictures (credit: NASA) at the Shuttle launch schedule page: http://space.gs/shuttle

Mar 16, 2009 10:44 PM GMT

·  Some NASA officials said STS-119 was best launch visually. I prefer STS-124 http://tinyurl.com/dyje9z (expand )

Mar 16, 2009 10:40 PM GMT

·  You can keep up to date with STS-119 Discovery at http://space.gs/sts-119/ Data are subject to change as and when the mission requires.

Mar 16, 2009 10:26 PM GMT

 ·  Discovery expected to dock with the ISS tomorrow http://is.gd/nBqN

Mar 16, 2009 08:38 PM GMT

·  STS-119 launch; .jpg, 95 kB; credit: NASA/Rusty Backer, George Roberts http://is.gd/nBpW

Mar 16, 2009 08:37 PM GMT

·  03/16/09: STS-119: Discovery's crew to inspect heat shield. http://is.gd/nAzH

Mar 16, 2009 06:54 PM GMT

·  Someone asked who the senior-looking astronaut aboard Discovery is; he's Dr John Phillips, pre... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cejsyw

Mar 16, 2009 06:52 PM GMT

·  Discovery is now approaching the ISS for docking on March 17th. The timing of this mission fa... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cv44j4

Mar 16, 2009 04:25 PM GMT

·  @NASA it is illegal to transport a bat in the US without a license. http://www.batworld.org/main/main.html

Mar 16, 2009 01:44 PM GMT

·  NASA mission managers congratulated the team that successfully launched space shuttle Discover... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/csay8f

Mar 16, 2009 11:14 AM GMT

·  People are asking - so here's some info on the bat: I think that the small fruit bat which wa... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dauagr

Mar 16, 2009 02:15 AM GMT

·  03/15/09: STS-119: Discovery’s crew prepares to open cargo bay doors.: 7 p.m. CDT Sunday, March 15, 2009 M.. http://tinyurl.com/dnxan5

Mar 16, 2009 01:22 AM GMT

·  Mission Control confirms main engine cutoff - Discovery is in orbit! The spent external fuel t... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dxp9z9

Mar 16, 2009 12:24 AM GMT

·  Lift off of Space Shuttle Discovery and the crew of mission STS-119 to the International Space Station!

Mar 15, 2009 11:46 PM GMT

·  Launch Director Mike Leinbach and NASA Test Director Steve Payne have completed their prelaunc... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/d7xpys

Mar 15, 2009 11:39 PM GMT

·  STS-119 crew strides out of the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center. http://post.ly/8TW

Mar 15, 2009 11:02 PM GMT

·  18:49 EDT: T-9 minutes and holding - The countdown has entered the final planned hold.

Mar 15, 2009 10:54 PM GMT

·  Astronaut Steve Lindsey is flying weather reconnaissance aircraft this evening. He flew a T-38... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cwghwt

Mar 15, 2009 10:53 PM GMT

·  The STS-119 breakfast photo: .jpg, 206 kB, credit: NASA/Jack Pfalle http://is.gd/ntjf

Mar 15, 2009 10:34 PM GMT

·  Launch teams are not working on any issues that would interfere with launch this evening. Disc... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/c98lea

Mar 15, 2009 10:19 PM GMT

·  The closeout crew has locked Discovery's hatch and is getting ready to leave Launch Pad 39A at... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ddreta

Mar 15, 2009 10:04 PM GMT

·  Now that the astronauts are strapped in and air-to-ground voice checks are complete, the Close... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cabs3a

Mar 15, 2009 10:04 PM GMT

·  Discovery at the launch pad after rollback of the Rotating Service Structure; credit:NASA/Jack Pfaller http://is.gd/ntba

Mar 15, 2009 10:02 PM GMT

·  Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters just briefed Launch Director Mike Leinbach on the weathe... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cb5xa4

Mar 15, 2009 09:36 PM GMT

·  The seven crew members of space shuttle Discovery are checking their communications gear this ... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ccywhx

Mar 15, 2009 09:14 PM GMT

·  STS-119, Pad 39A: Mission Specialist Steve Swanson has climbed into Seat 4, on the rear left s... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/c7fs39

Mar 15, 2009 09:10 PM GMT

·  STS-119: At T-minus 40 minutes and counting, the countdown is going well this afternoon and th... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dgfm62

Mar 15, 2009 08:17 PM GMT

·  Crew Departs for the Launch Pad 15:53 EDT: The STS-119 astronauts are departing Kennedy Space ... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cpop5f

Mar 15, 2009 08:05 PM GMT

·  Bat found on external tank. NASA has found a sleeping bat that is hanging onto the external ta... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dzy2go

Mar 15, 2009 08:02 PM GMT

·  STS-119: Discovery on Pad 39A. http://post.ly/8RE

Mar 15, 2009 07:52 PM GMT

·  STS-119: A "red team" has been dispatched to the launch pad to adjust a pressurization valve o... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dehych

Mar 15, 2009 07:41 PM GMT

·  15:28 EDT/19:28 UT: Right now the astronauts are at their crew quarters, which is located acro... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/crcz9s

Mar 15, 2009 07:35 PM GMT

·  Helium Pressure Issue Not an Impact to Launch - 15:26 EDT/19:26 UT: The "red team" of technici... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/d6jj2f

Mar 15, 2009 07:34 PM GMT

·  STS-119: 15:15 EDT/ 19:15 UT: The seven-member Final Inspection Team is at Launch Pad 39A righ... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/d4veft

Mar 15, 2009 07:22 PM GMT

·  STS-119: 15:06 EDT: 19:06 UT: Kennedy Space Center's Red Team Sent to the Launch Pad - The lau... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cvtw9p

Mar 15, 2009 07:17 PM GMT

·  14:30 EDT/18:30 UT: Nearly 500,000 gallons of chilled liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellants b... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/dmz35d

Mar 15, 2009 06:54 PM GMT

·  STS-119: 13:25 EDT: 17:25 UT: Tanking Complete: The three-hour process to fuel the external t... Read more at http://tinyurl.com/cxnxpe

Mar 15, 2009 06:37 PM GMT

·  Discovery ready at Pad 39 A; credit: NASA TV ; .jpg, 72 kB http://is.gd/nrQH

Mar 15, 2009 05:33 PM GMT

·  03/15/09: Countdown proceeds: Discovery fuelled and ready to launch tonight.: 12:28 EDT/16:28 UT Tank Topped Off.. http://tinyurl.com/c78357

Mar 15, 2009 05:21 PM GMT

·  Expedition 19 and Charles Simonyi prepare for launch. http://post.ly/8PQ

Mar 15, 2009 04:36 PM GMT