Launch day!
Very glad I toured the Kennedy Space Center yesterday. Today is packed! And I'm dealing with migraine postdrome, so I'm exhausted and hypersensitive. Plus it feels a million degrees Fahrenheit. So many people. And screaming kids. But some of the annoying children look adorable in their plastic space helmets and full flight suits.
At lunch, I met a WW2 veteran, who had flown a P-51 over Iwo Jima. He was also a VIP guest, and he introduced me to his half-Japanese granddaughter, of whom he seemed very proud.
They loaded us on buses to the Apollo Saturn V Center, where bleachers were set up for viewing. While I waited, I was able to explore the exhibits and walk under the most ginormous rocket ever, which took man to the fucking moon!
The man in front of me on the bleachers worked for an Inuit-owned company which helped to build some of the instruments aboard. Pretty much everyone there had a hand in working on this mission or knew someone who did. NerdPride was running high.
As we got closer to launch, we stood for the Star-Spangled Banner, and a huge cheer went up at the rockets' red glare line. I know there's quite a controversy about this anthem, particularly the third stanza, but only the first was sung, and it was quite moving.
When the countdown got to 10 seconds, we all stood and counted down with the announcer.
LIFTOFF!
Huge cheers and then on to the After Party.
Yep, you read that correctly. There was an After Party, and it was packed! I ended up bailing and going next door to eat some Florida lobster in peace and quiet.
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