I have “use it or lose it” which must go within the next few weeks, so in spite of being off much of 2009 already, I’ll be taking another week. With a few free Southwest passes in the drawer and cold weather still dominating Connecticut we’re heading for a short cruise.
This was one of those what’s available decisions. We needed something that matched up on dates, available flights and price. We didn’t want to spend a lot.
We’ll be leaving from Jacksonville, FL and cruising to the Bahamas… as the shuttle takes off!
Date: Feb. 22 *
Mission: STS-119
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center – Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: TBD
Description: Space shuttle Discovery launching on assembly flight 15A, will deliver the fourth starboard truss segment to the International Space Station.
These flights to the ISS head northeast at launch. Most of the non-ISS flights headed south of east. I’m not sure how close we’ll be, but I’m hoping the cruise line keeps us close enough to watch. When you’re launching a roman candle the size of a large office building you don’t have to be right on top of it to get a glimpse.
My parents moved to the “Space Coast” 3 months after Challenger, and stayed there for 15 years. Their proximity to Cape Canaveral was the only good thing about going to visit them. Any kind of rocket launch was always cool, but the shuttle launches were special. We’d turn on the local news and as soon as the shuttle hit ignition, we’d go outside. By the time we got out to the front lawn it would be visible over the palm trees across the street.
The night launches were the most spectacular. We’d go down to the beach for those. The entire ocean would be lit up, it seemed practically until the shuttle hit orbit.
I really hope the launch stays on schedule and your cruise ship is positioned so you get a good look. It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget. (Too bad your cruise isn’t sailing from Port Canaveral, or you’d be guaranteed a front row seat!)