Echoes Among the Stars: The Original Website
Views of Space
The Thrill of the Launch
An Air Force veteran recalls the day he witnessed the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia
-- and wonders what it might be like, one day, to have an even closer view . . .
By Charles Rizzo
The sound was incredible; the shaking of the earth was immense. The sheer thrust was heart-stopping. That is the way I would describe the first time that I had a chance to watch the Columbia space shuttle go into space.
I was on vacation with a friend in Florida when I experienced the awesome power that makes space travel possible. We always wanted to see a launch -- and this was our chance. As we were touring the town that we were staying in a voice came over the radio: “The space shuttle Columbia will be launched in just under one hour . . .”
“Jim! Let’s go see that,” I said. “That would be wild to see.”
My friend Jim responded by flooring the pedal, risking a speeding ticket and our lives -- but determined to make it in time for the launch.
The ride was fast from beginning to end, as we weaved in and out of traffic, always risking the chance of getting a ticket. As we approached a spot where we thought we might have a great view of the launch, we could see the anticipation in the crowd that was lining the highway.
“Jim, pull over,” I shouted. “Hurry -- we might miss it!”
We jumped out of the car, propping ourselves up against the hood, watching like two little boys gazing into a toy store window. And then it happened! First the rumble . . . thunder roared from the
horizon -- and a small, six inch line rose from the distant water’s edge.
As the craft sped toward space, I kept thinking: someday I want to be in one of those seats, traveling to the farthest reaches of our solar system.
Someday!
