Quite recently, after a yet another Space Shuttle launch, we were thinking about it was something out of a science fiction novel and were eager to get closer and watch it with our own eyes.

It turned out to be pretty simple, you just drive up to the booth and the tired-looking security guy will check you out with his piercing stare and let you in to your dream…

In fact, you will need more than one day, since the Florida weather may change the launch plans any minute, especially at the hurricane season.

That is why we booked our hotel for two days and hoped that would be enough to cover for the contingencies. It turned out it was not enough - on the first day there was some sun peeking through the clouds, but Flight Control canceled anyway. On the second day the low clouds and a light drizzle dashed all our hopes. The launch was delayed for two more days and first time in the US history happened on the Independence Day.

On the first day, slightly disappointed but still in high spirits, we did some recon. First - found a good patch of green with a good view and a good spot to land our tripod on. Then, we left to have a look around - Kennedy Space Center, after all, is also a great tourist attraction.

 First on our tour was Space Shuttle Explorer, full size vehicle used for testing but never flown. It was great to walk around the cabin, peek into the giant cargo hold, which is, basically, the most part of the shuttle. At the launch day there is a crowd of tourist swarming it, but it was fun anyway…

Далее мы отправись на автобусную экскурсию. В дни запуска на стартовые площадки не пускают, но нас подвезли в центр Апполон-Сатурн, где находится экпозиция, посвященная лунной программе Апполон. Можно побродить по залу управления полетами, перенесенному из Хьюстона, Техас, «побывать» на первом запуске Сатурна, унесшем космонавтов на Луну.

Next, there was a bus tour. The launch pad was off-limits due to upcoming launch, so they took us to Apollo-Saturn hangar containing, as the name implies, the lunar program museum. One can walk around the Flight Control room, moved from the Houston, Texas, and "watch" the first Saturn launch.

We actually walked under the Saturn-V rocket, it took some time - it is about 350 feet long, and took the famous picture under the giant engines. There are guest seats outside the museum, with a great view of the launch pad. It is usually closed to the public on the launch day, but the launch was canceled and we got there and took a few pictures.

After the tour, after the long box office line, we made it to the giant IMAX theater, running "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D". The impression is - like you actually walking on the Moon. We liked it so much, we went to watch the next feature - "Space Station 3D" - right away.

We wrapped up our day with a walk in the Rocket Garden, the ultimate collection of all the US space program rockets, from the Redstone, which took Alan Shepard to space, to Titan, the Germini main vehicle. We got into the Apollo lunar module - it is very tight, it is hard to imagine how they managed to actually fit into such a space…

The second rainy day was spent in the nice little town of Cocoa beach next to the Cape. We had a walk on the beach, took part in the fishing contest in the local restaurant, as a customers, since the contest catch was served right away.

After the two unremarkable working days we are on the road again and driving down the crowded freeway - it is Fourth of July… The ticket booth and that patch of the green again. And then again the anticipation, the rumors of a possible delay due to the technical glitch…

And, the final 30-min countdown. Last time the countdown was canceled on the 9th minute. Now the 9th minute passed - then 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - and, start - the earth is shaking, the roaring sound of the engines, and here it is - Discovery goes up over the trees,

 … goes up and up on the pillar of fire

 … now it is a ball of fire,

 … and now it is a little spark

 

And it disappears, leaving behind the hanging smoke trail, marking the moment we left Earth…

July, 2006