There are always a few dramatic moments in any launch. Today there was a small leak in a nitrogen attitude control system that the first stage booster uses while returning to the landing Zone. There was also a threatening anvil cloud getting close to the three mile exclusion zone surrounding the launch pad. Anvil clouds produce lightning and a lightning strike to a rocket in flight is never a good thing. Fortunately all obstacles were overcome and the Dragon capsule is already on its way to a rendezvous with the international space station.
The day got off to a very early start. I had to pick up my press credentials at 5:45 AM. No breakfast today. The restaurant wasn't even open yet when I left the hotel. After picking up my credentials I joined a group of photographers being bussed out to the launch pad to set remote cameras. I don't set remote cameras myself, but I like taking pictures near the launch site. There was an hour delay when one of the shuttle busses hit a pole in the press site parking lot, knocking one of its rear view mirrors off. The bus seemed fine, but NASA is very strict about its rules. We had to wait for a substitute bus and driver.
I returned to Titusville to get some lunch after our trip to the launch pad. I had to go to Sonny's and get some barbecue, even though the brisket gave me heartburn on my last visit. It's a good thing that I don't take many of these trips. My blood pressure and resting heart rate always go up when I travel. I never sleep well either. My life in Dallas may be boring at times, but it does keep me healthier.
After lunch I returned to the press site for some interview opportunities before the launch. I'm never very comfortable doing this sort of thing, but the magazine wanted me to try to interview some of the Axiom people. I guess the interviews went reasonably well. I may not be a real journalist, but I'm learning to act like one. I'll be able to incorporate a few quotes from my interviews into the article I'm going to write.
I had no camera problems today. I've been plagued with minor camera problems on recent launch visits, but today everything went perfectly. I think the pictures came out pretty well. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I'm finally learning to be more methodical and consistent about launch photography. Hopefully, I'll get a good night's sleep tonight before heading back to Dallas tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back here again, but I'm glad that these periodic launch visits still give me pleasure. It was a very good day today.
Casey is today's Dalmatian of the Day |
Watch of the Day |
Posts
