I agree that they kept it down. That could have been very bad. It ill go, but not until it's safe.

Alan

I lived in Orlando for 8 years and I spent allot of time at KSC as a contractor and became friends with allot of people there so I got to see allot of launches from the viewing stands 3 miles from the pad, (that's as close as you can get) and there is nothing like it. What's even better are night launches. From Orlando it looks as though the sun just came up on the horizon and if it's really quiet you can actually hear it. Being out at KSC it's like there are 2 suns coming up, it's bright, really bright. We won't even talk about the ground shaking at 3 miles distance. You might be able to feel it at times. I know along route one you can during the night launches.

Yep the dbl booms can be annoying but it's good to know that they are home safely.

I would give everything I have just to see the view with my own eyes that the astronauts see if only once before I pass on


For the record the shuttle flies it's approach via computer(s). The only time the commander takes the joystick is on final approach and is some cases it's flown all the way to the ground hands off. The approach is well thought out and practiced more times than anyone can possibly can imagine. Go cruise NASA's web site and read away, lots off great info.