A trip to NASA in Florida.
One of my biggest regrets in life is not going to the Kennedy Space Centre to see a Shuttle launch. I’m old enough to remember the Apollo missions and the Skylab missions. I watched from the UK in awe as Columbia lifted off from Pad 39A and swore I would visit to see a launch. I did get to Kennedy for tours when I was in my 20’s but never made it over to watch a launch.
Like most of the planet I have watched the recent Artemis mission in absolute admiration, it seems to have sparked that interest again, so plans are being made to visit and see a launch, hopefully in late 2028.
Just under three years ago I was lucky to have some spare time to visit the Kennedy Space Centre. It had changed quite considerably in the 30 odd years since my last visit. This time the Shuttle wasn’t the NASA workhorse, sadly it was retired but on display. My first mission was to get transport to the Saturn V hall, located near the Assembly Building. Disappointingly, no trip to the launchpad this time, but it was great to see the massive rocket under cover and preserved. A chance to view this behemoth up close. Also a chance to walk on the sky bridge that was used for those manned missions. Literally touching history.
Having seen the Shuttle Enterprise in New York I knew the scale but I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see at Kennedy. Shuttle Atlantis flew the last mission and was placed on display at KSC. You enter into a giant hall underneath the Solid Rocket boosters and external fuel tank, then shown a film about the Shuttle, specifically that last mission. No spoliers but the way they revealed Atlantis was quite spectacular and extremely emotional. Doors open and there she is, straight in front of you. What a sight! It literally took my breath away and my eyes were rather moist.
My pictures really don’t do it justice, so I’ve got to go back. Next time though, it’ll be for an Artemis launch.
