Thompson

Each year the Thompson family (Barb's side) usually gathers in late August at a state park somewhere. This year we invited the clan to camp in our backyard to play pickelball and volleyball, among other things. Nate, Cailyn and Kari decided we needed a video to promote the weekend so Nate came up with the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6MzK0qLYKU

Arrive at ISS

Discovery docked at ISS. Click on video (related multimedia box) to see arrival. Information updated daily:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

If the clouds part, you may be able to see the ISS in the night sky. Find out how:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings/

As far as this mission is concerned our experience is complete. This is the last blog related to STS-119. Over and out.

Post Launch

We awoke to the blue skies and the warmth to which we have grown accustomed. Our week foray into Florida turned into more than 4 weeks. Driving north up A1A we said good bye to the palm trees, the roseate spoonbills and the pelicans which we so enjoy watching. As we passed over the causeway leaving Cocoa Beach I had the same thoughts of a year ago. Will we ever return to this very special place? It is checked off of my “bucket list”. Does that mean it is behind us?

The view from the causeway showed the empty launch pad 39A which elicited thoughts very much different from a year ago. The weeks of jockeying our schedule, bouncing from place to place, staying in contact with the Steves and, finally, resolution.

Other than the spectacle of the launch two other thoughts flooded my mind. One, the Steves. They are a family full of faith and they live out devotion to others. How fortunate we were to experience this event with them; to share the highs and lows, the fear and frustration, the joy, and the blessing.

Secondly. Space travel - the true project without borders. Seventeen countries are involved in the space station. STS-119 carries a Japanese astronaut to replace one who has been in the space station for four months. They will be housed in modules built and delivered by the Russians and they will use a robotic arm built by the Canadians. A true coalition. As the launch neared yesterday, a small group broke out in song, singing “God Bless America”. But it didn’t catch on and the chorus soon died away. Those gathered included French, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Indians and others. Somehow the song didn’t fit this time. Patriotic we are. Nationalistic we are not. Perhaps the words of John F. Kennedy were more applicable at that moment.

“We are vowed that we not see it (space) governed by a hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of peace.”

If only that were true on earth and not just in space.

The pictures:

How Barb and I looked before the launch.

What we felt like before the launch.

The Antonelli friends gathering for the view.

Our view just before the launch.

Barb and I arrived in Atlanta in time to have my birthday dinner with Ben and Penny, my first birthday with Ben since he was a senior in high school, 1994. On Tuesday we flew home. As Cailyn picked us up at the airport, the air was chilled and drippy. We could see our breath. Barb starts work tomorrow, Wednesday. We are back to reality.

We Have Liftoff

As we were gathered together at breakfast today, we were more guarded then we were Wednesday. There was still the anticipation of the launch but we all worried about the “Ground Hog Day" movie effect. I went for another long bike ride after breakfast. Barb did the last minute shopping and made one more walk to her beloved beach. By 1 p.m. we drove out to the KSC.

It is Sunday. Most of Orlando must have gravitated to the area to enjoy the weather, the beach, and the launch. Cocoa Beach is one of the best views for a launch.

KSC was much more crowded than Wednesday. By 4 p.m. we stood in line for the shuttle buses. A good sign since we didn’t make it to that point on Wednesday. We were bused to the causeway, the bridge over the Banana River that has a direct view of the launch pad, six miles away. The site was a mix of tourists who had been able to purchase the coveted tickets on line and the gathering friends of the crew’s family. We unfolded our carried in chairs and sat with Cam and Kay, Ceil and Dennis, and Cliff, friends of the Steves. Next to us sat Lisa and Eddie with their two young children. Lisa is a member of a Bible study group with Janeen, in Houston.

The countdown continued over the live feed of NASA audio. We heard what anyone would have heard that watched NASA TV. Launch control and Houston, as well as monitor points around the world checked in as the countdown progressed. The support appendages were pulled from the vehicle, the countdown entered the single digits. Pops, then a cloud engulfed the shuttle. The orange glow in the shape of a spear emerged from the cloud then the noise hit us. At 7:43 PM ( right on time), EDT, almost dreamlike, and with the vehicle emerging from the cloud into the clear blue sky it took on a large smoke trail heading into space. The audio announced separation and the two boosters dropped from the glow, forming their own droplets of light falling to the earth. We stood in awe and did not make haste to leave.

God Speed STS-119 and thanks for a great show and thanks for a great ride.

Pictures: The Causeway, thousands with tickets are 6 miles from launch.

Group gathering. Joe Acaba, former teacher in Florida. Scientist, now astronaut.

Blast off. Escape to orbit. And finally left, boosters drop.

God Speed STS-119. GOD SPEED

Prelaunch Again

While engineers and technicians work furiously at pad 39A, and while the STS-119 crew resumes training for their upcoming mission, tourists continue to inundate this area. The Best Western is full every night. Some are on spring break. Some are here with sports teams. As I sat after my bike ride, a party of young men descended on the beach. I noted that they looked like PLU types. That they were. A NCAA division 3 baseball tournament was held here this week. The young men were the baseball team from Gettysburg College, the Lutheran School there in Pennsylvania.

We continue to watch for NASA updates each morning. To keep us from watching other reports, Visa bills, car rental fees, hotel charges, etc., we try to concentrate on the gifts of our environs. After my run in with manatees yesterday, Barb, Phil, Virginia, Shauna, and Jessica (Virginia’s relatives from Moses Lake) encouraged me to drive them out to the pond.

I was relieved that I was able to repeat the trip in the car. However, the manatees were not lying by the bank as they were yesterday. Barb, not wanting to give up, sought the aid of a neighbor. Lewis and his wife jumped to our aid. “They are over in the corner. See them there.” The pig-like snouts were visible. “I wish you would have been here earlier. They were very active and there was a pod of dolphins here too.”

Lewis, a few years younger than us, grew up in Key Largo. An engineer by trade, he moved to Cocoa Beach to subcontract for NASA. “Don’t miss the launch,” he related. “There is nothing like it. Your first percussion is the exploding hold down bolts. After that, the boosters kick in. Noise and waves of power overcome you. Powerful.”

Thanks, Lewis. Just one more expert letting us know we must ride this out. Barb and I, carrying out our own personal domestic economic stimulus project, with no hesitation.

Pictures: Mother manatee and her young. Phil, Virginia, Shauna and Jessica.

Between Scrub and ...

After 23 of us met for dinner last night, 9 of us met for the hotel’s free continental breakfast this a.m. We sat and talked until 10:30, then congregated in front of the TV in the lobby. The NASA news conference committed to a launch on Sunday, or Monday, or Tuesday, or…

Mike Mullane’s book, Riding Rockets, “the outrageous tales of a space shuttle astronaut” refers to NASA as meaning, “Never A Straight Answer”. (Thanks for the recommendation, Rosey) Although we have had many interpretations, delays and redirections over the last month, I can identify with all of the above. Space flight is not a perfect science and “failure is not an option”, thus delays and redirection are part of the business. I guess I see that as strength, not a weakness.

We are staying. Some of the group went home today. All of us went our own way. Phil, Virginia, and family, including Janeen and the kids, went to Orlando’s Disney World. Barb walked the beach, read on the beach, and did laundry. I, for the 5th time, rented a bike. In retrospect, I could have bought one in Georgia, strapped it to the car, and saved a bunch of money. However, like NASA, you look back to see where you have been but you look at today’s situation to determine your future.

I rode for 3 hours today. Traffic is heavy on the main roads of the cape so I started out south. Located there are the communities that were constructed when NASA was first developed. The 1960’s housing (post Sputnik) is situated between the tourist Atlantic beach and the Banana River. The narrow streets meander through quiet neighborhoods, interspersed with canals and inlets. At one time I stopped to access my water bottle at a spot between a house on my right which bordered the Banana River, and a pond on my left. As I tipped my bottle I heard a gurgling sound. I turned to the pond to see 4 giant manatees lounging near the bank. Didn’t have a camera.

I also stopped at a 1950’s style cluster of ocean side cottages that were south of the tourist area. The one story flat roof structures with single paned wooden framed windows with 43 coats of paint, grass, beds of flowers, and narrow sidewalks that led to the sea would be a pleasing setting if we ever return here sans the RV. The 70 ish lady manager talked on and on about her time here. “Forty three years since I moved down here from Michigan. Every time there is a launch scrub, phone calls from relatives and engineers ask if we have openings. We seldom do this time of year. It is the busy season. I love it here. However, in August, I miss Michigan.”

I guess there would be worse places to be hold up in February/March. Michigan, this time of year would be probably confining. It is not confining here. In fact, at every stop on my bike ventures I ask, “Why were we given the gift of being here?”

Post Scrub Plans

Like Bill Bennett and John Daly at the craps table, Barb and I continue to roll the dice, hoping to hit the big one. We are staying on. We’ve rescheduled our plane tickets and extended the rental car agreement. The launch is now “set” for Sunday or Monday. This is a surprise to us since NASA earlier explained that if the launch did not occur before March 14, it would be delayed till April. Now that has changed.

Some of our party left for home today. Commitments at home, expenses in rearranging travel plans, hotels and cars caused them to pull up stakes. Barb and I are fortunate that we have some flexibility.

Barb was scheduled to start teaching on Monday, the 16th, for a colleague going out on maternity leave. She has received ongoing support from her former school to “go the distance”. Thus, we shall, maybe. Of course, I am in no hurry to go home. I, as Barb goes back to work, take on the role of househusband, a position I don’t mind delaying.

We met for dinner tonight, sharing stories and plans. Janeen and the boys joined us, a special time with a special group. Discovery stood on its pad just 10 miles away. Hopefully, next week, Discovery will be a sparkling orb, connected to the space station, traversing the night sky.