We did it! We are checking “See a rocket launch” off our bucket list. It was AWESOME!
This latest adventure began last weekend when we realized there would be a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. We’ve always wanted to see one. Then we realized it was the Falcon Heavy launching, the biggest rocket EVER! The decision was made. We left Panama City Beach a day early and made a mad dash across Florida over to the Space Coast.
We did some research the evening before the launch to figure out where to watch the launch from. We were going to leave the final decision until the next morning. Upon waking on launch day, the news reporters were at the Cape and said people were gathering already. So, at 8:00 a.m. we hit the road. We were well provisioned with water, food, lawn chairs and things to keep up busy until launch.
This is my Google Map of all the recommended places to watch the launch from. The red pin was Launch Pad 39, where Falcon Heavy was taking off from. The orange pin was the Landing Zone for the two outer boosters. We opted to view the launch from the south so we could see the launch and the boosters landing. We ended up at the green pin, which was 13.5 miles from the launch pad and 6 miles from the landing zone.
We arrived at 9:30 for a 1:30 to 4:00 launch window. Note: if you attend a launch, position yourself next to the Space Geek with a telescope set up, a radio to listen to all the communications chatter, etc. Said Geek will be a wealth of information prior to the launch. We found our Geek among the 100,000 gathered.
The red car hood and telescope in the fore ground belong to our resident Space Geek.
We made ourselves comfortable for the wait.
The Jeep with the tailgate raised for shade. Lawn chairs set up.
I wandered down to the beach just below our parking spot to see what was happening there.
This is all the people on the beach waiting, and this was early, around noon! The crowds only continued to grow right up to launch time.
Yet another bad selfie. I call this “Space Selfie”. At least it proves I was there.
We had a gentleman from South Africa wandered over to our resident Space Geek’s telescope. He showed me how to take photos with my camera and phone through the telescope!
This is the cropped image of what we saw through the telescope.
Launch time was pushed back a number of times due to Upper Level Winds (which apparently has its own twitter account. https://twitter.com/upperlevelwinds?lang=en) Finally, after a number of delays, lift off occurred at 3:45, 15 minutes before the close of the launch window.
Takeoff!
Climbing
This is what the launch looked like without the benefit of the zoom lens on my camera. We were 13.5 miles from the launch pad.
At about this point, we could start to hear the rockets rumble and roar.
And there it goes…..
This is the contrail (condensation trail) a few minutes into the launch. Yes, there were indeed some upper level winds up there based on how the contrail was distorted.
Once the Falcon Heavy was out of sight, it was time to watch for the boosters to come back down. They were harder to spot and even harder to photograph. We were 6 miles from the Landing Zone. This picture was the best I could do. The white dot at the center of the red circle is one of the boosters. This part of the launch was equally amazing. The two outer boosters descending looked like they were in a free fall. But at the last minute, the rockets fired to slow them down and allow a landing. And yes, we heard the double sonic booms (one per rocket)!!!
What an amazing day. The build up to the launch reminded me of the Solar Eclipse from last August. You be come friends with those around you, trading information. You become a community. And then you have 8 minutes of absolute wonder. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to watch a launch in person, DO IT!!!
Below is the video of the full launch for those who didn’t see it on the news.
Thanks for sharing this — how exciting!!!
It was exciting. It really was!
We once saw a space shuttle launch – from Orlando. But it wasn’t as cool as being right there! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… “I want to be YOU when I grow up!!”
Oh my! Get that last kid out of college and you guys can also do what you want! You and Chris would have really enjoyed the launch. There were plenty of fellow geeks out there.
Thanks for posting the pics and link! Wow! Totally cool.
It was a blast! (Pun intended!)
Thanks for sharing the live photos! The landing of the outer boosters was truly amazing!
Keep on blogging!
My Dad will be jealous. His friend in Florida also went. On another note, I’m sure you will be getting a call from Dad once he is down there.
I’m looking forward to it!!!