One last look at Discovery on launchpad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Image: Nancy Atkinson

“I lived and worked on the Moon. I called the Moon home for three days of my life.” — Apollo 17 Astronaut Gene Cernan

Those words from Gene Cernan have been floating around in my mind the past few days. Although my experiences the past two months were nothing like Cernan’s, I think I can kind of understand how he felt. I have now lived and worked on the Space Coast and at Kennedy Space Center. I called Florida my home for two months of my life. But now I’m heading home.

As you’re reading this you’re probably shouting, “What! Why is she leaving? There is a shuttle launch in 5 days!” Yeah, yeah, I know. But my family would like me back home, and I had to make the decision over two weeks ago to make arrangements to try and stay or come home, and at that time Discovery’s launch was looking iffy at best because of the stuck helium valve. So, I’ll watch the launch from home, but my heart will be at KSC.

But I had some amazing experiences in Florida. I saw three launches (space shuttle Endeavour, Atlas with SDO and Delta with GOES-P), and had the opportunity to do and experience more than I ever could have imagined. I was in space geek heaven.

I won’t say “goodbye” because I hope to be back, so I’ll just say “so long.”

Panoramic view of KSC launchpads. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Up close with space shuttle Discovery. Image: Nancy Atkinson

“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams ….
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth…”
—John Keats

I love that poem by John Keats, but if he had been able to see a space shuttle launch, he might have changed those last couple of lines to something like, “Every day, we labor so that humanity can soar out into the Cosmos.”

And that is what the technicians and specialists who work with the space shuttles at Kennedy Space Center do. Every day.

Last week, I had the chance to go ON launchpad 39A and see space shuttle Discovery up close, so close that I didn’t have to use full zoom on my camera to get the shot, above, of the orbiter’s cockpit area. Other journalists told me the press hadn’t been allowed that close to a shuttle on the pad for years, and so I feel particularly lucky to have had that opportunity. We weren’t told just how close the KSC PAO folks were going to take us, so as we drove closer and closer, we didn’t say a word — we just looked at each other with wide eyes and kept our mouths shut, hoping beyond hope that we’d get as far up on the pad as we did. Here are some more shots from that day:

Nancy on pad 39A with Discovery. Credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com)

The shuttles truly are things of beauty, and having the opportunity to see two of the fleet up close — I saw Endeavour from just behind the fence in February and recently being directly on the pad with Discovery, their splendor is now imprinted indelibly on my mind. These orbiters have been a part of human spaceflight for nearly 30 years, and they will never “pass into nothingness,” — their history and stories will always be a major chapter in the legacy of our travels to space.

While everyone else is taking pictures, Nancy just stares in wonder. Image: Ken Kremer

It’s almost hard to believe that there are only four, possibly five shuttle flights remaining. Here on the Space Coast there have been lots of conversations about possible extensions to the shuttle program. I used to think it was time to move on to other vehicles and other destinations, and but now I’m not so sure. I don’t know if my thinking has changed because of the current uncertainty of the future of human spaceflight with Constellation potentially being canceled, or if just seeing a launch, viewing these magnificent orbiters up close and meeting some of the people who work daily with the shuttles has actually shifted my views.

There I said it. Deep down, I really want the space shuttles to keep flying. It just seems like they have a lot more life left in them.

Discovery, with the payload for STS-131 secured in the Rotating Service Structure. Image: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com)

Thanks to Alan Walters and Ken Kremer for sharing their pictures

The shuttle stack silhouetted in shadow against the clouds during a midnight rollout on March 2, 2010. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Especially stunning was a unique silhouette shadow of the shuttle stack that formed against the clouds as the Xenon spotlights bathed the shuttle in their glare. Art Edwards, who works at the KSC PAO, told me he has witnessed over 60 shuttle rollouts and he has never seen anything like that before. And my dinky little camera (Fuji Finepix S2000) was able to capture the effect while the guys with big cameras couldn’t. Feeling just a little smug! See more pics below.

Discovery rollout shadow, March 2, 2010. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Here’s where the shadow effect first started. The wispy clouds must have been in just the right place, the right consistency and formation for this effect to work.

Another shadow effect of the shuttle stack on the clouds. Image: Nancy Atkinson

First motion from the VAB. Image: Nancy Atkinson

There weren’t many people around the KSC press site where I was standing, and I didn’t know if I was in the right spot to see the shuttle emerge from the VAB, and was worried the Flight Control Center Building might block my view. So I asked a guard who drove by where I could stand so my view wouldn’t be blocked and I wouldn’t miss first motion. He just looked at me and smiled. “You won’t be able to miss it. That baby is big!”

You can see from the image how tall the shuttle stack stands in comparison to the FCC. For reference, see how small the cars look that are parked by the FCC.

Closeup of Discovery during rollout. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Discovery during rollout. Image: Nancy Atkinson

We were able to stay and watch for 2 hours, and then could return at 6:30 am to be brought out the pad to watch them lock down the shuttle, and for a photo op and interview opportunity with the flow director for Discovery. I was so excited about seeing the rollout and having my images of the silhouette turn out that I had to post some of them on Universe Today as soon as I got back “home.” (See the article here, which includes images from Alan Walters and daytime images at the launchpad.) So that meant I got about an hour and a half of sleep before heading back out to KSC. Very fun, though. What a privilege to be there. The space shuttle is a beautiful machine.

I’ve received a few emails from people wondering why I haven’t written anything on my personal blog lately. And honestly, I was surprised to look and see the last post was a month ago. I usually use Saturday mornings for catching up with things I’ve been meaning to do — like post something on this blog — but this is the first Saturday in 4 weeks that I haven’t either been attending media events at Kennedy Space Center, hosting visitors here in Florida, or traveling hither and yon. More about the hither and yon part later. But since the initial goal of having this blog was to share my experiences of being on the Space Coast of Florida for two months, I had better bring things up to date, as my time here is quickly counting down. So what have I been doing the past month?

ENDEAVOUR LANDS on Feb 21, 2010:

Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility. Credit: NASA

A beautiful end to the STS-130 mission — Endeavour appeared like a phantom out of the night sky, but not before announcing her arrival with two gargantuan sonic booms. Seeing the landing live and in person was wonderfully thrilling — although I have to admit, we probably would have seen more watching it on NASA TV, as — since it was a night landing we couldn’t see it until right before touchdown — and it rolled past our location quite quickly as the shuttle is traveling well over 200 mph (320 kph) when it hits the runway. Hearing the twin sonic booms is something I’ll never forget.

MY NEW JOB???

Does NASA TV have a new commentator?

Nah. Fellow writer Ken Kremer and I just “practiced” sitting behind the dais in the KSC press auditorium, just in case they ever need any help at NASA TV, or if I ever get lucky enough to be the one launching on a rocket. Fun photo-op.

SEEING CLOSEOUT OF LEONARDO MODULE, Feb 18, 2010:

At the Space Station Processing Facility.

Another great experience was going to the Space Station Processing Facility at KSC and getting to walk the floor inside the giant clean room where the different modules and components are readied for their flight to the International Space Station. Technicians were just finishing packing the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module that is heading up to the ISS on the STS-131 mission, bringing supplies and new components for the station.

Below, one of the technicians showed us the boxes where the US food is stored on the ISS. If you can’t read the label it says: “MEATS IN POUCHES AND CANS. ZERO-G USE ONLY.” I wonder what happens if you use it in 1-G?

Payload Day in the SSPF at KSC.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT NASA TV:

In the control room at NASA TV at KSC.

Since I probably will never work on camera at NASA TV, I decided to interview the people who work behind the scenes at KSC TV. You can listen to (or read) my interviews on Universe Today. It was very fun to talk with these great folks — and I also got to talk with George Diller, who I consider the voice of launches at KSC.

GOES-P LAUNCH ON A DELTA IV ROCKET on March 4, 2010

GOES P goes UP! Image credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com)

Another launch, another launch vehicle! I was duly impressed by the thunderous launch of the Delta IV rocket carrying the GOES-P satellite to space. Launch occurred just after sundown from launch pad 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. We got to be on the NASA Causeway, only about 2 miles from the launchpad. The rocket soared and roared into a crisp and clear night sky, and could be seen for several minutes after launch, and booster separation was clearly visible to us on the ground. With more oomph than the Atlas (plus we were closer) this is a rocket you can feel!

With me was photographer Alan Walters, who is now taking pictures for Universe Today. He has a couple of different cameras, and he used his big gun, but let me use his slightly smaller camera — which is much bigger and more powerful than my Fuji Finepix (which is leaps ahead of my former camera). Alan’s shot of the launch — which I love — is above, and here’s mine below:

GOES -P launch by Nancy with Alan's camera.

Yeah, I know, I’m off center! Alan told me I have that tendency. So what does that say about me?

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-P, or GOES-P, is the latest in a series of meteorological satellites designed to watch for storm development and weather conditions on Earth as well as detect hazards with its emergency beacon support and Search and Rescue Transponder.

ROLLOUT OF DISCOVERY MARCH 4, 2010

Discovery in the palm of my hand. Image credit: Alan Walters (awaltersphoto.com)

I’m going to talk more about watching the rollout of Discovery in another post because I captured something very unique, but here’s a fun picture that Alan took of me after the shuttle reached pad 39A.

STS-131 crew at the launchpad. And I was there, too!

After the rollout, we had the chance for a photo-op and to interview the crew of the STS-131 mission, which hopefully will launch on April 5 (which unfortunately will be after I have to leave Florida.) Pictured here are: Commander Alan Poindexter, Jim Dutton, Rick Mastrachio, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Naoko Yamazaki, and Clay Anderson.

It was extremely cold and windy out behind the launchpad that morning, and if you watch the video of the event, you can see me wincing and shivering while I talked with the crew. Behind the crew you can see the flame trench where the exhaust of the the SRB’s whooshes through at ignition, and I think we all could have used a little flame that morning. Brrrr!

There’s more I could post, but this is getting long enough. Suffice to say I’ve been doing interviews, writing and podcasting almost non-stop since my arrival. Its been one of the most amazing times of my life.

And here’s the hither and yon picture:

Tucson, Arizona resort.

I took an unexpected side trip to Tucson, Arizona. Since it wasn’t warm enough in Florida, I thought I’d try Arizona! I met up with my wonderful husband to attend a conference with him, and had the opportunity to stay at a marvelous and beautiful new resort. Most fun was doing a very challenging 14-mile mountain bike ride. Had to traverse single track trails with big rocks, deep gullies, unexpected sand traps, — all the while watching out for cactus! It was exhilarating!

Another highlight of my adventures at Kennedy Space Center was participating in the joint ISS/shuttle crew news conference on February 18. I have to admit, I’ve interviewed lots of astronauts, scientists, engineers, etc. before, but my heart was absolutely pounding out of my chest when I stepped to the mic to ask my questions! Maybe its because I’ve never done an interview live for all the world to see before. But it was thrilling to talk directly to the astronauts, and even give them a couple of laughs. You can watch the video of the crew news conference above. Below is a picture of the set-up at KSC for the media to talk to the crews.

As you can see, we stood right in front of the big screen monitor to ask our questions, and with the astronauts looking directly at the camera on the ISS, it felt like they were looking right back at me — and talking to me personally. It was very fun, and another great memory of my journalistic journey to KSC.

Animation of SDO launch. Images: Nancy Atkinson

Two rocket launches in one week! It doesn’t get any better than this! The launch of the Atlas V rocket with the Solar Dynamics Observatory on Feb. 11 was incredible! (Have I used that word before here?!) Above is an animation of the images I took of the launch, and below is a video taken by another journalist that was near where I was at the Kennedy Space Center press site. The Atlas launch was not as loud and engulfing as the shuttle launch, but still it is breathtaking. Where the shuttle guns it off the pad, Atlas rises slowly and gradually picks up velocity.

What I felt most privileged about was that I was standing about 100 ft. from the SDO scientist, so could witness their excitement at seeing what was likely years of their work heading off to space. And then, I walked back to the press building alongside them, and got their initial reactions. Since I was one of the few journalists there (seemingly there were more photographers than writers) and there was no official press conference after the launch, I got quotes from them that no one else has in their articles! (w00t for exclusivity!)

There was this awesome moment during the launch, and I describe it in my Universe Today article where the rocket was soaring up into the sky and there was a sundog, or rainbow-like effect on the clouds. Then when the rocket experiences the maximum dynamic pressure in its atmospheric flight (Max-Q) it gave off a shock wave which was visible to us on the ground, and it dissipated the sundog! The best video which shows exactly what we saw is posted on Spaceweather.com, and was taken by a 13-year-old girl at the launch. (follow that link — I highly recommend it!) There’s another video that I’ve put in below that shows a different look (the sundog isn’t visible, but the shockwave is –and they replay it) and includes a shadow from the rocket that I didn’t see from the ground.

So, first video:

Second video:

SDO is going to is going be sending back hi-res video of the sun at a constant stream. The amount of data it will provide (equivalent to half a million song downloads every day!) will revolutionize our understanding of the Sun, how it affects us here on Earth, and how scientists might be able to predict solar storms.

Sunrise at Kennedy Space Center. Image: Nancy Atkinson

It was a beautiful (and early!) morning at Kennedy Space Center. I arrived at the press site at about 6:30 a.m. to watch the rollout of the Atlas V rocket which will bring the Solar Dynamics Observatory to orbit. Launch is, hopefully, tomorrow (Wed. Feb. 10) but the weather — and specifically winds — are going to be a factor. But this morning, it was gorgeous. Note the launchpad and countdown clock. See more, plus some rollout images below.

Sunrise and the Moon. Image: Nancy Atkinson

See the crescent Moon in the upper right.

Pre-dawn at KSC. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Fog coming off the water, with the countdown clock (actually it is now counting UP, with mission-elapsed time), an empty launchpad (shuttle is gone!) and flagpole. No wind at all; and with all sorts of birds calling, made for a calming, Zen-like experience.

Atlas V with SDO emerges from the processing building. Image: Nancy Atkinson

My first view of the Atlas V rocket, with the SDO satellite in the fairing. SDO will be studying our dynamic sun, and sending back a continual stream of HD data 24/7.

Camilla watches the rollout, too. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Yes, more Camilla. She’s the rubber chicken mascot of SDO, and she’s wearing her spacesuit. She doesn’t get to go along on the flight, but she still likes to wear a spacesuit, just in case.

SDO ready to go. Image: Nancy Atkinson

Here’s the Atlas V secure at the launchpad. The drive of about 1,800 ft. took about 30 minutes, so no land speed records were set today. But during launch, it should move pretty fast!

Me at the SDO press conference. Image: Rich Yaeger

Here I am at the press conference for SDO which took place after the rollout. Fellow journalist Rich Yaeger took this image. Thanks Rich!

I’m really looking forward to seeing the Atlas V give SDO a kick the pants with a successful launch tomorrow…. or the next day, depending on the weather. The Atlas doesn’t have as strict launch restraints as the shuttle does, and winds are the usual suspect for creating havoc with launches. But as one of the guys from United Launch Alliance told me today, they have an hour window, and if they can find four minutes of winds below 20 knots (there are predicted to be gusts between 22 and 30 knots) they can launch tomorrow.

The launch of space shuttle Endeavour early this morning was just absolutely amazing. I tried to express what the experience was like on my post on Universe Today, but quickly ran out of superlatives. People can tell you that a shuttle launch is going to be loud and that a night launch will be amazingly bright, but nothing can prepare you for what the experience is really like.

And video and pictures really don’t capture what the experience is like, either. However, there are a couple of videos of the launch which are really great! Above, a group of Space Tweeps were here for the launch and @NoisyAstronomer, a.k.a. Nicolle Gugliucci (who I met on Sunday!) took this awesome video from the Causeway. It captures the excitement of the launch when you witness it with friends!

Below is a video that was taken from almost right where I was standing, and it kind of captures the brightness of booster ignition and the crackling and popping of the rockets burning, but when you’re there, the brightness, noise and sound waves just absolutely overwhelm you. You don’t only hear and see a space shuttle launch, you *feel* it! I heard an astronaut (who is on this shuttle mission) describe it as “it seems the air just isn’t big enough for the sound.” That sums it up pretty well.

So what’s next? No rest for the sleep deprived. Early Tuesday morning I head back to KSC to watch the rollout to the launchpad of the Atlas 5 rocket that is carrying the Solar Dynamics Observatory. I’m hoping to see my new BFF Camilla the rubber chicken tomorrow morning, too.

It seems fitting that for my first launch, I saw Endeavour blast off. Endeavour was the name of the 1/3-actual-sized inflatable space shuttle that I carted around to schools when I worked at the Science Museum of Minnesota. As I related yesterday to a a budding young astronaut yesterday who was interviewing people about how and why they were involved with space, my experience at the museum was really why I started writing. One of the activities for the “Space Discovery” program I lead was to teach children about the International Space Station and show them how they could see the ISS in the night sky from their own backyards. I sent home a letter to parents, explaining how they could help their child see the ISS. Several different times, when the parents would come to school the day we set up the space shuttle in the school gym, parents would come up and say how great it was to see the ISS, especially since they didn’t even know that there was a space station in orbit! That made me want to get the word out on all the wonderful things going on in space exploration, and so I started writing.

And now, here I am, able to have this amazing experience at Kennedy Space Center because I’m now a full-time journalist.

I’m having the time of my life. This is so. much. fun!

It’s round 2 for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-130 mission since last night’s launch was scrubbed. It’s now 2 a.m. at the press site at Kennedy Space Center, and things are not hopping quite as much as round 1 — several journalists only allowed one day for the launch and there seems to be less VIPS wandering around. We saw the crew walk out of crew quarters — again — and with the smaller group of journalists and photographers, they were able to offer some banter back and forth with us. Commander George Zamka said he thought today would be the day. Again, the concerns for launch focus on the weather. Right now, the clouds are too low to allow launch, but the weather officers are optimistic that the clouds will break up.

But its been another fun day, as I met up with some fellow Space Tweeps and Camilla the rubber chicken showed up in her spacesuit.

Space Tweep founder and shuttle technician Jen Scheer (@flyingjenny) and me.

I had the great fortune to meet up at a Tweet up! Fellow space Twitterers met for food and drink this afternoon. Above is Jen Scheer, a.k.a. @flyingjenny, who founded the Space Tweep Society, a Twitter based organization that “promotes enthusiasm for all things space and to unite those inside the space industry with those who are outside looking in.” Jen is also a shuttle technician, and I wrote an article yesterday in which I talked with Jen about the looming layoffs that will occur when the shuttle program is ended later this year or early 2011; in addition the proposed cancellation of the Constellation program also does not bode well for the workforce at KSC. You can read the article on Universe Today.

Here’s more of the Tweet Up folks. We laughed how just a few years ago, everyone’s advice was not to ever interact with people you ran into online. But Twitter has changed all that, bringing together people from all over, joined by a common interest in space exploration. I’m sure this type of community is found in other areas of interest shared by people on Twitter.

Camilla is go for launch.

Camilla the rubber chicken and official unofficial mascot of the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission made another appearance at the press site; this time she donned her specially made spacesuit in hopes of bringing good luck to the crew of Endeavour for launch tonight. (OK, yes it is morning, but its dark out so to me, its night.)

Camilla sits in the big shuttle model that sits in the press room. Below is a close-up. Her outfits are hand-knitted.

Another model in the press room is one of the Cupola for the space station that will be brought up on this mission. The Cupola has seven windows which will provide unprecedented views of Earth and space for the astronauts on the ISS. It also is an area for a robotic workstation and a treadmill. We had a little fun tonight taking some pics of what the astronauts might see one day while looking out the window. Planet Nancy?

David Waters, Miles O'Brien and Leroy Chiao of SpaceflightNow.com

Back to more “serious” journalism, here’s the SpaceflightNow.com crew doing their live pre-launch show. As you can probably tell from their attire, it is a bit chilly tonight. Last night when I stopped by to chat with the trio, there was talk that they might need long underwear if we had to come back another night to try a second time for launch. I’ve listened off and on to their show tonight, and haven’t heard mention of said underwear, but they certainly look warmer than they did last night!

The SpaceflightNow.com’s live broadcast offers more in-depth coverage than network and cable news channels and more commentary than NASA TV. Watch them at SpaceflightNow.com. Highly recommended.

So, still lots going on, and we’ll wait and see what happens with the weather.

The STS-130 crew before heading out to the launchpad. Image: Nancy Atkinson

UPDATE: You’ve likely heard, but the launch was scrubbed just 9 minutes before scheduled liftoff due to low clouds. But enjoy the pictures of my all-nighter in the KSC press area. But here’s what I posted from the KSC press room at about 2:00 a.m.:

We’re at T- 2 hours and counting. The press corp just returned from the crew walkout, which was very fun to see in person. Lots of cheering for the crew of STS-130. It’s a cold and windy night here at KSC — I’m seeing Twitter messages that people here to watch the launch are cold out there, but are having too much fun to care. Same here. I wouldn’t care if it was snowing; although there wouldn’t be a launch tonight if it was.

We’re watching the crew ingress the shuttle (via NASA TV). If you read my last post here, I talked about how quiet it was at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday. Yesterday and today was a complete change, and tonight things are bustling with activity. Here’s a shot of the press room right now:

And here’s one of me (taken by my photographer, Rick) working diligently at my computer (must…type…faster…):

And I’ve met a few notables tonight:

Miles O'Brien and me.

Miles O’Brien, former CNN anchor and space reporter extraordinaire.

And Camilla, the official unofficial mascot of the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission, which will be launching in a couple of days (hopefully.) Very excited to meet and hold Camilla, as she is one of my Facebook friends! Camilla is looking quite dapper in her warm sweater, while I am looking bleary (it was 2 a.m.) and windblown. Windblown was a fashion statement saying, “I was outside braving the cold and wind, dagnappit!”

Camilla and Nancy

Here’s what it looks like outside with all the TV trucks: (NASA image)

I just went outside to take pictures of the launchpad at night, but they didn’t turn out very good. Here’s one:

Endeavour at night, hopefully launch night. Image: Nancy Atkinson

More fun stuff to come, I’m sure!

And if you didn’t see the video I posted on Universe Today of the RSS rollback, here it is. Watch space shuttle Endeavour appear before your eyes as the Rotating Service Structure (which protects the shuttle from weather and has to be moved before launch) is rotated away from the orbiter: