September 26, 2009

PHOTO HUNT: TWISTED

Living on Florida's Space Coast for nearly 20-years has given us the opportunity to view many shuttle launches from KSC and many rocket launches from Cape Canaveral AFS. There were times we were up-close-and-personal, at the KSC Banana River VIP site. Other times we've watched from the beach, from the Indian River, or the dock at our home on Sykes Creek when we lived there. We've seen them at sunrise and sunset, in heat and in cold, daytime and the dark of night. They never fail to amaze. Those of us who live on the Space Coast know the excitement of the space program, NASA and KSC. But we also know it's value, contributions and importance, and hope that NASA will receive sufficient government funding to continue its scientific exploration of our universe.
Above, left: About a year ago, we took my Mom, then 95 years old, to a friends high rise condo on the river -- she saw her first ever shuttle launch. The sight of the TWISTED smoke plume is beautiful as the shuttle leaves earth, the sounds are powerful, depending on wind direction there may be smells of fuel or exhaust, the ground will shudder below your feet.
Above, right: It's always fun to spend a day at KSC with my grand daughter. Top: she is TWISTED inside an old space capsule from the moon launch days, the capsules were small and cramped in those days, allowing no movement and the astronaut would be in some TWISTED position for the entire flight. Bottom: simulated weightlessness, just like the astronauts, and you can TWIST and turn at will.

22 comments:

  1. That is really cool that simulated weightlessness!

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  2. You are so lucky to have all of those experiences with the space program! Great post on the theme.

    Everyone was asking about Maggy yesterday.

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  3. Beautiful photos! We would love to see a launch of any kind. My husband and I grew up during the space program in the 1960's and we are still fascinated by it (and disappointed that the U.S. government decided not to go back to the moon!)

    We hope NASA continues to receive funding too - we think it's very important.

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  4. Thats a very special thing to se I think. I especialy love the idea of trying out the weightless floating. How very different your mum must have found the world with seeing that happen. A very special event. Hugs GJ x

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  5. Ah the Kennedy Space Centre must be so wortth a visit. If I ever get to Florida I will be paying an extended visit there. I was 6 when Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon. Space exploration has fascinated me ever since

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  6. What wonderful experiences ~ and great pics.

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  7. Wow....love the twisted contrail cloud vapor!!

    My TWISTED is posted....a magazine cover with a Halloween Twist to it. Come on over---
    You'll find my Photo Hunt entry HERE

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  8. How neat to be able to be there! Looks like fun.
    Cindy

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  9. Just magnificent for both the old and the young!!! Love your photos.

    Woos, the OP Pack

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  10. COOL! Momma says she remembers the first mens walking on the moon. But it was about 47,000 years ago.....(she's old ya know)

    jane

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  11. We're purring that the space program gets funding too. It's such an important program.

    We love the photos at the Space Center. Mom wanted to go there this weekend for the Free for Brevard Residents special, but we didn't let her.

    Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

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  12. Great pics! I didn't realise the shuttle left trails like that.

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  13. Wow! That must be something to see! Mom says she'd love to see a shuttle launch!

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  14. Oh man that weightless capsule looks like SO much fun!!! Wow!

    Great photos.

    I hope you get the chance to see My Photo Hunt for today! Have a great weekend.

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  15. It is interesting how twisted be interpreted both as motion and as a shape. Nice interpretations.

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  16. We would love to see a shuttle take off. Our Dad saw a night lift off years ago. We like your twisted pictures!

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  17. Cool! I have never seen a space shuttle launch. Love your shots!

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