NASA
Capt. Mark Kelly Inspires Sarasota Audience
U2’s “Beautiful Day” blasted on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage in Sarasota, Fla., as a video montage of Capt. Mark Kelly’s life between January 2011 and today flashed on screen. He was in town as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall Lecture Series and those of us backstage felt the […]
Continue ReadingTips for Planning a Day Trip to Kennedy Space Center
“What are the must-see highlights at Kennedy Space Center?” my brother recently asked. We visited KSC as kids and now 30-plus years later he was planning a visit with his family this summer. Although not intentional, their visit coincided with the Kennedy Space Center’s 50th anniversary (happening now!) and access to view space shuttle Atlantis […]
Continue ReadingWho Will You Meet at the Next Cocktail Reception? Maybe a Rocket Scientist.
Tonight was one of those nights I’m reminded I have a pretty groovy job. Because of my relationship with the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA; disclosure: I’m currently on the Board), I know someone who belongs to a sports car club which happened to be hosting its annual meeting in Punta Gorda, Fla., this weekend. […]
Continue ReadingVisiting Kennedy Space Center in a Post-Space Shuttle World
“…once NASA goes away…” People! NASA is NOT going away. If I had a nickle for each time I’ve heard that in the last three months, I’d be about $7.35 richer. Okay,that doesn’t seem like a lot but that’s more than 145 times! There’s this misconception running amok that just because the space shuttle program […]
Continue ReadingWordless Wednesday: Florida’s Best Galactic Attraction, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
As I gather my thoughts from last month’s visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s East Coast, enjoy these photos from the incredible day. Visiting is so inspiring and one day is not enough! Don’t forget, now through the end of October, sit in Capt. Kirk’s chair (yes, the Star Trek Capt. […]
Continue ReadingWordless Wednesday: Up Close with SpaceX Dragon Capsule
After three decades, we said goodbye to the space shuttle program last month but it’s important to remember it’s not the end of NASA or space exploration. Following Atlantis’ launch on July 8, I headed over to the Air Force Space and Missile History Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to get a look […]
Continue ReadingWordless Wednesday: Final Space Shuttle Launch, July 8, 2011
Why yes, this week’s Wordless Wednesday is all about the space shuttle launch. While you’ve probably read this post and seen the images of Atlantis making her last launch, enjoy this very amateur video taken near Space View Park in Titusville, Fla., less than 15 miles from the launch pad. Can you feel the excitement? […]
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Smelly, Sticky and Sunburn: Seeing the Final Space Shuttle Launch
Space shuttle Atlantis launched for a final time on July 8, 2011, from Florida’s Space Coast and in all my smelly, sticky and sunburn glory, I was there to witness the space shuttle program’s final chapter. No Frequent Guest Points Earned this Night Surprisingly, my rollaboard suitcase was quite comfortable when used as a pillow […]
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Random Thoughts from the Backseat About Last Space Shuttle Launch
Upon my 9:30 p.m. arrival to Space View Park in Titusville, Fla., tonight I could feel the buzzing energy for the final space shuttle launch. Tents have popped up and chairs set out with prime real estate closest to the water. The focal point is the beaming Atlantis sitting on the launch pad some 11 […]
Continue ReadingMeeting Astronaut Sam Durrance During the Astronaut Training Experience at Kennedy Space Center, Florida
You can’t have an Astronaut Training Experience without a real live astronaut. After checking in for the attraction and reading who I’d meet, I was excited to learn Sam Durrance flew on an Endeavour (the first space shuttle launch I’ve seen) mission (STS-67) with his first space shuttle mission being Columbia (STS-35). He says he’s […]
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