First we went to Florida... it was hot and we walked alot! The hurricane missed us so that was good.
Today NASA launched a space shuttle. The first 2 years as the last one broke apart trying to come home. I saw the first Shuttle disaster and was moved by it... other than 911 it's probably the most moving and riveting thing I can remember. I was working at IBM in Clear Lake when they launched again after that and IBM was very instrumental in helping... our facility was directly tied to NASA. There were cockpit mockups there and it was very moving seeing them go back to space. As a child my next door neighbor said he wanted to be an astronaut and I believed him for a long time. I don't know if it's because I grew up with it or near it or what but it's always been a special thing.
AS I watched today's launch I was happy to feel satisfaction again. In a way it was sweet... the Shuttle has rundundancy for everything... and when a backup failed they shut it down for a week. Well to me this is not the way it should be. I know safety safety but it was always about those real life bigger than life heros who were not afraid to sit on top of a rocket and get shot up in the air. These guys are brave beyond words and I'm sure they were like forget that silly little backup sensor thing, let's light this puppy! and in the end that is what they did! Sensor malfunction or not they went for it! HOORAY! Now that is how you do it! Good job NASA, the JPL and the JSC...now bring 'em home in one piece and let's put a wrap on this thing.
If you would like to track the shuttle... this site will help. and for a cool view click the J-Track 3d link! thanks to E for that link eons ago, I still visit it all the time.
:: 7/26/2005 11:30:52 AM