Discussion on:

My trip to see the final Discovery space shuttle launch

And, unfortunately, it looks like I won't get a chance. When I was stationed at Edwards AFB, I got the chance to see a few launches from Vandenberg AFB. Those were neat.

I was also able to be at the STS-1, 2, 4, and 5 landings at Edwards. Not nearly as awesome, I think, as a launch, but moving in their own way, STS-1 in particular.

Thanks for sharing this Justin! It's really good info - I like these entertaining articles from TechRepublic very much. I was living in Cocoa during the first shuttle launch and watched from the beach behind Ron Jon's surf Shack (it was a shack back then) and the vibe on the beach was Huge - everyone shouting GO! GO! GO! I took 4 rolls of 110 film snapping pics of the smoke trail - all deteriorated by now and certainly not exciting when I show them to people, but it was a major highlight in my life (and I've had a LOT).

Including the events surrounding the launch really resonated with me. I too am a fan, and really want to go one of the final 2 launches. I was watching the launch at home, fascinated as always but a little sad recognizing that I'd never get to attend a Discovery launch, and that the program's days are coming to an end. Thanks too for including the little details and suggestions. That will be immensely helpful if I get the chance to take my wife and 5 year old and 3 month old to one of the final launches.

I can see why everyone wanted a picture of him in his space suit - too cute! Thanks so much for sharing with us.

Thank you for the lovely write-up on the trip.
It gave me adequate information to prepare for the trip
-Selva

Hey, thanks for sharing... My sister had sent a picture she had kicking around of me in my youth for Christmas. When I hit your Rocket Garden post, I had to turn and look at the picture... 1979, and me with my old '68 International Scout infront of the same Rocket Garden, neat. I guess I'll never get to see a shuttle launch, but I did get to see one of their smaller rockets launch once in the evening. As the rocket rose in the distance, it's exhaust nozzle was facing us. It looked just like a man made star accending into the heavens...

Thanks Justin, your piece couldn't be more timely for me. I've had my heart set on seeing a launch for a very long time and am making the trip from Australia for it. I've already cancelled 3 times now with rescheduled missions and I was starting to think it wasn't going to be possible, but I'm in the lottery for 134 and will be travelling in any case.

I think your recounting captured many of the reasons I want to be there, and I'm sure many of your other readers too. While I know it could still get scrubbed I think I've done everything I can to see one from the other side of the world (almost exactly).

Thanks again for sharing, and the handy tips.

Colin

(PS: 30 years ago, I was that kid in the space suit, and I don't think I ever took it off either!)

I Live in Michigan and saved for months to take the road trip with my 8 yo son Tyler. We missed the launch in November, but we had the most memorable time of our lives. Reading your article, then seeing the video of your son, man, I felt that to my core. Thank you for sharing your trip of a life time with us, I'm still wiping off the tears from my face!