Watching the launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning almost brought tears to my eyes. I cheered as the jets fired up and the shuttle, untethered from its moorings was propelled into space. I thought of the ingenuity, courage and vision it took to develop the program and maintain it for thirty years. And I was thankful.
As Atlantis blasted into space at speeds of up to 19,000 miles per hour, I recalled the first walk on the moon that Astronaut Neil Armstrong described as “a small step for man, a giant step for mankind.”
I recalled the time back in June, 1983, when I saw the Enterprise, the first Space Shuttle Orbiter, after it landed at Uplands Airport in Ottawa. It was exciting to see Enterprise up close.
I’ve watched many launches over the years and I remember exactly where I was on that January morning when the Challenger exploded.
Unfortunately, it’s only when accidents happen that we stop to think of the amount of work and skill each launch takes and the inherent danger that exists in space exploration. Even through these tragedies and the unfortunate loss of lives, NASA’s scientists and engineers were gaining the experience necessary to make the program the success that it’s been.
I stopped watching after that. So, today, as I watched, I said a small prayer of thanks when Atlantis took off safely.
Several years ago, I saw the Aurora 7, one of the earlier shuttles, at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. I was shocked at how small it is inside. So small, I wondered how comfortable the astronauts were when they were riding in it.
When I think if it now, I feel badly for every time I’ve complained about the seat space on airlines.
But even with the size, I would have given a vital body part to be able to see the Earth from so high up. It would have been the ultimate travel experience. I hope that day will come during my lifetime.
It might seem as if the shuttle program has been of little benefits to us. On the contrary, space technology has been used in among other things, medicines and biotechnology to improve our health, and in communications.
I don’t understand why the program as we know it today is being shelved but I look forward to whatever new door opens us and hope that it’ll bring more of us closer to going into space.
So goodbye, Atlantis. I wish you a safe return to home base.
Giirrrrll, when I saw that title of your post, my first thought was ‘All this traveling Marcia’s doing, she’s going to the moon now.’ LoL! Seriously…
Now, my sister is a conspiracy theorist and she swears Neil Armstrong was nowhere near that moon. Now, I personally don’ care but I would be very interested if you went. LoL!
Though seriously, we always want the best outcomes and tragedies are just that. And it’s an unforgettable part that always stays with you. On another note, do you think we’re going to these other planets so that we can live there? I’m serious, because an art teacher I had years ago stated that if you watch what’s happening in Hollywood movies, especially sci-fi, these are things that ultimately materialize. Look at The Jetsons cartoon. Are some things not that way now?
Oh, I so wish they do! It’d be a blast to go to outer space.
Hahahaha, but I wish I could have been in that space craft. I keep thinking how beautiful Earth would look from there.
I never heard that particular one but I have heard people say it’s a hoax.
I do believe that that’s one of our main reasons for going and a good way to keep an eye on what’s going on on Earth. I also believe that these shows are sensitizing us for the future.
Space… the ultimate travel destination. I never looked at it like that, but it is if you think about it. I do hope they invent something allowing easy space travel, that’d be really neat.
It’s hard to believe it’s over 40 years since we first put a man on the moon
Time sure flies, Tony. I can’t believe that I was alive then!
I can’t believe we’re almost at mid-July already.