The forecast was for a crisp ,clear day. That was a relief as the previous two days in Florida had been cold and rainy. We were there with another high school buddy [Steve Smith] as guests of Willie McCool.he was also a Coronado grad and was a friend of ours from back in the day. he would be the pilot on this mission, realizing a lifelong dream. The mission had been stopped twice before but this time it looked like Sts-107 was finally going to happen. We arrived VERY early in the morning at Cape Canaveral. We were given ribbons that identified us as guests of the astronauts. each astronaut
had a different color ribbon. There had been double security this launch as this mission was carrying the first Israeli astronaut. That morning was pretty cold and we stood outside and shivered a bit both because of the cold and the excitement.
Finally...we boarded the appropriate buses to take us to the guests viewing sites. When we finally get there it seems like a bit of a carnival atmosphere[ a very small carnival]. Some booths that sold some trinkets and whatnot were open as we all milled around . The sun was started to come up now and it was warming. Looked to be a very clear day.
There was speakers mounted on poles and soon we heard NASA in Houston start telling us that the crew of sts-107 was boarding Columbia. Yes...NASA had a pretty good sound system as voices were crystal clear. Instructions were given and information passed back and forth and Steve and I would excitedly point out when we heard Willie's distinct soft voice relay info back to Houston.
Then...the countdown finally started. To say there was nervous excitement at the viewing grounds was an understatement. We all understood that this was the culmination of a LOT of long hard work and dreams were also being fulfilled...all the while knowing that even though shuttle missions had almost become blase, there was still danger involved. As the countdown reached zero there was a small cheer from the group . Not unlike the ball dropping New Years even in NYC. I expected to hear a great noise when blast off started but in reality...it was eerily quiet. Great, extremely white clouds of smoke started billowing out from under Columbia. Glad it was such a crystal clear day as the color of the smoke was even more vivid. But again..was surprised how quiet. Then....you could actually see the sound waves rolling across the swampy area between us and the shuttle.
I felt it before I actually heard it and then we were engulfed in sound as Columbia was lifting off. Cannot lie...the thought that kept creeping in my mind as the shuttle was starting lift off was the Challenger disaster. Seemed nearly all of the issues we have had in space travel has occured during launch. Most of the conversation here was between Rick Husband and NASA but also the NASA announcer telling us what was happening about Columbia at the moment. The speeds he was announce was mind blowing. As Columbia was streaking into space,but still visible, I was shocked to hear the announcer say that if crew were forced to eject right then. they would land in Spain.
Not exactly sure why...but it was VERY emotional. Maybe because an old friend was behind the wheel . Full disclosure...I will cry at the drop of a hat and it seems to have become easier as I get older. I kept punching my friend Steve as we both has similar emotions watching Willie and crew streak into space. My friend Steve was telling his wife "That is Willie up there....he is the white guy". [Old inside joke. Many people would hear about Willie's track abilities in high school and assumed that a track athlete named Willie McCool would be a black guy]
Finally...Columbia was out of sight. We then boarded the bus and headed back to Canaveral. At Canaveral...they had speakers up as well and while our families looked at the exhibits and whatnot I kept listening for Willie's voice. Surreal is just not a strong enough word when it comes to listening to an old friend talking to earth from outer space.
Yes...this was quite a day. It was 15 years ago today that Columbia started her final mission.
LikeShow more reactions
Comment
had a different color ribbon. There had been double security this launch as this mission was carrying the first Israeli astronaut. That morning was pretty cold and we stood outside and shivered a bit both because of the cold and the excitement.
Finally...we boarded the appropriate buses to take us to the guests viewing sites. When we finally get there it seems like a bit of a carnival atmosphere[ a very small carnival]. Some booths that sold some trinkets and whatnot were open as we all milled around . The sun was started to come up now and it was warming. Looked to be a very clear day.
There was speakers mounted on poles and soon we heard NASA in Houston start telling us that the crew of sts-107 was boarding Columbia. Yes...NASA had a pretty good sound system as voices were crystal clear. Instructions were given and information passed back and forth and Steve and I would excitedly point out when we heard Willie's distinct soft voice relay info back to Houston.
Then...the countdown finally started. To say there was nervous excitement at the viewing grounds was an understatement. We all understood that this was the culmination of a LOT of long hard work and dreams were also being fulfilled...all the while knowing that even though shuttle missions had almost become blase, there was still danger involved. As the countdown reached zero there was a small cheer from the group . Not unlike the ball dropping New Years even in NYC. I expected to hear a great noise when blast off started but in reality...it was eerily quiet. Great, extremely white clouds of smoke started billowing out from under Columbia. Glad it was such a crystal clear day as the color of the smoke was even more vivid. But again..was surprised how quiet. Then....you could actually see the sound waves rolling across the swampy area between us and the shuttle.
I felt it before I actually heard it and then we were engulfed in sound as Columbia was lifting off. Cannot lie...the thought that kept creeping in my mind as the shuttle was starting lift off was the Challenger disaster. Seemed nearly all of the issues we have had in space travel has occured during launch. Most of the conversation here was between Rick Husband and NASA but also the NASA announcer telling us what was happening about Columbia at the moment. The speeds he was announce was mind blowing. As Columbia was streaking into space,but still visible, I was shocked to hear the announcer say that if crew were forced to eject right then. they would land in Spain.
Not exactly sure why...but it was VERY emotional. Maybe because an old friend was behind the wheel . Full disclosure...I will cry at the drop of a hat and it seems to have become easier as I get older. I kept punching my friend Steve as we both has similar emotions watching Willie and crew streak into space. My friend Steve was telling his wife "That is Willie up there....he is the white guy". [Old inside joke. Many people would hear about Willie's track abilities in high school and assumed that a track athlete named Willie McCool would be a black guy]
Finally...Columbia was out of sight. We then boarded the bus and headed back to Canaveral. At Canaveral...they had speakers up as well and while our families looked at the exhibits and whatnot I kept listening for Willie's voice. Surreal is just not a strong enough word when it comes to listening to an old friend talking to earth from outer space.
Yes...this was quite a day. It was 15 years ago today that Columbia started her final mission.
LikeShow more reactions
Comment
Last edited:
