Posted by
AmeriDan on Saturday, October 07, 2006 2:06:57 AM
I think the Democrats would do a fine job as the majority party... and if you believe that, I've got a Space Shuttle I'll sell you. Only kidding about selling my shuttle, and the fine job line (can you say train wreck?). But I do own two shares of valuable stock in the Space Shuttle Atlantis. First one as a taxpayer, and the second was earned the hard way. I had to help it reach orbit.
I never flipped a switch or turned a dial, or even got to push a lousy button. Vacation advice: NASA frowns on tourists trying that, I assure you they will issue a strongly worded take down. Trust me. I did do my part at the launch though.
A little background: I try to go to Florida once a year if I can manage it. But from '99 till '01, I made sure to go each summer. I planned my vacation time around the shuttle launches. A hard plan destined for failure unless you stick with it for years. First year-scrubbed due to a system failure. Second year- bad weather. What's a guy gotta do to see a shuttle launch? Get lucky, which millions of tourist did, when they just happened to be in the area at that time.
Or keep going back during the time when there's an open vacation slot, and a launch scheduled. Tricky stuff in my line of work.
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For me, third time was the charm. So strap in and I'll take you to a shuttle launch. Atlantis, you are go for liftoff.
It's five thirty in the morning, still dark, and you're hung over. Well, at least I was. Keep in mind that I was on vacation, and the night before I had been recklessly "overserved" in a Cocoa Beach bar. Those darn Florida bartenders! At any rate, we and several thousands of our friends line the banks of the Indian River. Their not our friends yet, but we're about to develop a certain kinship with them.
We wait. I expect it to be quick. Two or three seconds tops. An oversized bottle rocket streaking into the air, and gone before you even know what happened. No problem, I have my video camera.
The rockets and engines fire. Mercy me, that's alot of fire. I press record because I have to get the perfect video shot.
Time stands still.
Hey, where's the oversized bottle rocket? Then we realize... it's not a bottle rocket. It is a hugh heavy beast. Tons and tons of the most advanced materials, with more tons of payload in it's cargo bay. Also, hundreds of pounds of flesh and bone. Some of the most intelligent and fearless people on earth are in that huge machine that's fighting to get off the ground.
Atlantis starts to lift off. I let go of the camera without even noticing. No time for such foolish things now. There's a life and death struggle going on before our eye's. I'm ashamed to admit, but my first thought is... she's not gonna make it. But Atlantis hangs in there.
"come on baby", "yes, yes do it", "you can do it", "get up there".
No, I haven't gone back to describing the night before the launch. It's what I'm saying now. It's what you're saying. All our new friends are saying it too. We aren't cheering it on, because this is no sporting event. This is an epic battle between Humans and gravity. We are willing that heavy beast into the air. No loud voices. Just whispers and thoughts. And will power. And clenched hands.
Atlantis climbs, fighting hard for every inch of lift. The seconds I expected turn into minutes and hours and eternities, and still she climbs.
Until she sheds her boosters and fuel tank. Then Atlantis goes from a heavy, bulky beast who has no place in the air... to a spaceship soaring away. No bottle rocket can match that.
With only a vapor trail left to provide proof of what we've just seen and done... there are smiles all around! Even a few tears of joy and relief. We did it! We got the Shuttle Up!
Only during the drive back do we realize our mission is not complete. We have to get her home. She's "our' shuttle now. I wasn't able to be there for the landing, but I kept up with them. Had to "will" them back to earth.
Atlantis made it back.
Unfortunately; not long after that, and in the worst possible way, I was reminded of that feeling I had to get them home. Never thought of it before I helped Atlantis into orbit. It was always a done deal. They made it there, they'll make it back. But I felt the need after helping Atlantis lift off. I know that need.
This post is dedicated to the people on the riverbank for Columbia's last launch. They never got the chance to bring her home. Their mission will never be complete.
-AmeriDan