NASA Tweetup - Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch - Day 2
Posted by Melissa Carter at 11/16/2009 1:15 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: sound of space shuttle launch NASA Atlantis Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 Dara Torres space shuttle
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: sound of space shuttle launch NASA Atlantis Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 Dara Torres space shuttle
This is a continuation of the blog "NASA Tweetup - Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch - Day 1."
Monday started at 6am, so I got an extra hour of sleep compared to the day before. We were asked to meet at a different location to get on a bus for the launch site, since no cars were allowed in many areas of the NASA property on launch day. Upon arrival we found a large air-conditioned press tent that was dedicated solely for the TweetUp.
Outside the tent was a space suit - used as a photo prop - and a tire that had once flown in space on one of the space shuttles. We were asked to sign and decorate the wheel, so I chose orange ink for my signature. Go Vols, always.
Before the launch, a series of engineers and former astronauts from NASA explained the mechanics of Atlantis, and how each detail came together to build this spectacular vehicle. Take notice in some pictures of the television behind the podium. It was broadcasting NASA TV all day, which served an appropriate backdrop of the astronauts preparing the shuttle and themselves for flight.
Then it was time to take a group photo in front of the famous countdown clock you've seen in launch pictures over the years. A member of our group had the great thought to have us all sign a poster and present it to NASA as a thank you for such an incredible weekend.
Outside the tent was a space suit - used as a photo prop - and a tire that had once flown in space on one of the space shuttles. We were asked to sign and decorate the wheel, so I chose orange ink for my signature. Go Vols, always.
Before the launch, a series of engineers and former astronauts from NASA explained the mechanics of Atlantis, and how each detail came together to build this spectacular vehicle. Take notice in some pictures of the television behind the podium. It was broadcasting NASA TV all day, which served an appropriate backdrop of the astronauts preparing the shuttle and themselves for flight.
Then it was time to take a group photo in front of the famous countdown clock you've seen in launch pictures over the years. A member of our group had the great thought to have us all sign a poster and present it to NASA as a thank you for such an incredible weekend.
Soon we were all paying attention to the television when the Atlantis astronauts began their journey to the launch pad. You see in the tent we were excited enough to wave as if they could see us, and then moved outside to see their "Astrovan" carry them past us down their final stretch to the shuttle. The building behind the silver Astrovan adorns a painted American flag the size of a basketball court. The helicopter in the air is the astronauts' escort and is a great clue to see when they are coming your way.
There was national and international media everywhere....and MTSU. I spent my Freshman year at Middle Tennessee State University and went over to say hi. The hello's turned into an interview for a documentary they were doing for Nashville Public Television, so maybe I'll be on TV in my hometown soon. Small world.
Katie Jo sent me a text that Dara Torres was in town for the launch, which of course I Tweeted as part of my job. Not long afterward she came to our tent to say hello and explain that one of her swim caps was heading into space with the astronauts! (Not that Katie Jo's scoop that I Tweeted lead to her arrival, I'm just sayin' the timing was verrrry strange.)
Then it was launch time. I headed out to our grassy viewing area about 30 minutes early to sit and take in all the scenery, pretty much keeping to myself. I wanted to drink in the experience, not knowing if I would ever return. A prayer or two said (one to Cousin Pam for giving me her kidney to keep me alive to see this) I took a quick shot of the people around me that included former and current members of the military.
New spectators were encouraged by NASA not to use their cameras and enjoy the show raw, so I didn't start snapping until Atlantis was well off the ground. But tears fell from my eyes at the beauty of the launch, which no camera can fully capture. I just had my audio recorder on and started taping, and afterward went to the bathroom and had a silent cry.
Hear the RAW AUDIO. (Remember I was not inside, even though it sounds as if walls are shaking and popping. That is the air)
See NASA VIDEO of the launch.
Hear our segment describing the experience on THE BERT SHOW the next day.
But all the accomplishments of the day would not have been possible if not for the sacrifices of those who have gone before this crew and didn't come home. During our tour Saturday, we passed by the hanger where all the pieces of Columbia were laid out after its accident. The patch of that mission was then permanently painted on the side of the building. No one spoke as we passed, and I remembered seeing her first take off in my 5th grade classroom. My hometown's name is Columbia, so I always thought I had a special connection with her from that moment in 1981 until that Saturday morning in 2003.
America was excited by space during the initial Apollo missions when we were competing with the USSR for space domination. Today, under the shadow of the International Space Station, which the U.S. and Russia are partners in, we are in a different kind of space race. Our TweetUp tent may have served a monument to that, since our purpose was to get new people interested in NASA again before it and its missions disappear. My last Tweet for the day said, "Just landed in Atlanta. Kid near me dressed as astronaut. My @NASA experience continues. #nasatweetup (via @MelissaCarter)." Maybe we are winning this race too.
Thank you, NASA, for allowing me the chance to contribute to that victory.
I got to see a Columbia launch in 1996 (my one and only shuttle launch) and it was awesome. I'm so excited for you that you got to see one (and jealous that I couldn't go). And I'm still dying to know what the mysterious object was! @tarheeltiger
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I have always been amazed by the program and remember watching the tragedy of the Challenger live on tv as a kid. Thank you for sharing your experience with a fellow space geek! dream believe do
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This is from an older space geek. I remember the first tragedy---when Gus Grissom lost his mercury space capsule to the waters of the Atlantic after splashing down at the end of only the second U.S. manned flight. (It was our second sub-orbital flight . . . before John Glenn caught us up with the Russians). I encourage your generation to keep up the strong effort to save manned space flight.
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Very well done and it was a pleasure to be seated with you on day 1 of the NASA Tweetup even though the incredible lineup of speakers & tours meant we didn't get to chat much. I still need to blog the experience but your comments about being overcome by emotions strike a very real chord with me: http://www.youtube.com/user/ageekmom#p/a/u/1/6QQOtzok0us
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Ha haa! I'd never expected a major media event would be covered by a Tweetup … but what an awesome idea! It looks like an amazing day, not only for the tweets but for the tear-worthy launch … so much different to just firing up the truck to go round the corner
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Looks like you had a real good time at this tweetup! I would really like to be able to go to a shuttle launch, but I live so far from Florida
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Awesome site for a tweet-up! Too bad I live way too far from Florida to have been able to be there. I would love to see a rocket launch, one day. I hope you organize another one someday, and I might be able to attend!
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Ah, it's a dream of mine to see a shuttle launch once in my lifetime. Too bad I missed this one. Unfortunately they don't launch stuff into space that much anymore, but hopefully there'll be more occasions for me in the future!
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Awesome site for a tweet-up! Too bad I live way too far from Florida to have been able to be there. I would love to see a rocket launch, one day. I hope you organize another one someday, and I might be able to attend!
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I wish we have any shuttle launches in Melbourne
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I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great information!!I have no idea about this NASA Tweetup until now. Thanks for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic.
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I have always been amazed by the program and I still remember watching the tragedy of the Challenger live on TV in my younger days. I would love to see a rocket launch, some day. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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