I would think that New Mexico would be a better place to launch rockets if only because you seem to have less rain there - launches get regularly cancelled here because of weather, and several times shuttles and rockets have had to be pulled off the launch pad and rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, which costs money and time, because of an approaching hurricane. Maybe the idea is that it's safer for a rocket to crash into the Atlantic if things don't go well, and it's certainly usually fairly easy for the Coast Guard to keep boats out of the "giant fuel tanks will fall on you" area.
I'm not anxious to go to Mars myself, although I am definitely in favor of it in principle.... but I do have a lifetime desire: I want to live to be 102, because I know where the WorldCon is going to be that year... it'll be 2069, and WorldCon will be literally out of this world: Luna City. And being as the very first thing I remember is a big big rocketship way far across the water... in July 1969... I'm GOING.
And it's not pointless. Humans are by nature explorers. We've explored most of what we can here. It's time to get off this rock before we kill each other.
See, ever since I saw Star Trek, when I was about two, I've wanted to step on another planet just like Uhura.
Maybe in pants instead of a short skirt.
I was kinda hoping for a planet outside this solar system but Mars will definitely do. And if it can't be me (and let's face it, for a lot of reasons, it won't be) I'd at least like to see somebody else go.
Awesome post, Mari. Frightening re: the 7th Grade teacher. Hopefully she's not the science teacher. *shudder*
About 15 years ago, I got to see one of the decommissioned blackbirds fly over my hometown. I think I was in awe that one of the fastest things ever built just passed overhead and I heard the boom like a minute later (felt like it anyway). Can't even imagine how cool the space shuttle launch would be.
Speaking of teachersdewlineNovember 17 2009, 22:29:11 UTC
...the state of that one's space knowledge would appall the teachers of all grades who dealt with me in school. Seconded on that hope re: science class!
I've gone to a couple of air shows where the Air Force has shown off their various planes - actually, this got annoying back in Fort Lauderdale when I lived near their take off point and had to listen to them practice for a couple of days and then take off and descend during the Air Show. Very loud, and when they broke the sound barrier it meant extensive time comforting a cat. But as cool as the Blue Angels are (and they're pretty cool) I like rockets more.
My mistake on the teacher's gender. I think I was reliving my own elementary education. I didn't have a male teacher until the 9th grade. Sounds like that guy needs a serious brushup. I think my son's second grade class has an opening for a new student...
When I saw a launch that close, the rumble was the coolest part, but watching the birds fly off out of the mangroves in a moving wave as the shockwave rolled across was pretty cool too.
Buried deep in yesterday's post is the fact that I got to see this lift off from 27,000 feet up through an airplane window as we came into Tampa for landing. :)
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Not sure I'll ever get to see a shutle launch. But if operations ever do start at Spaceport New Mexico, I am ideally located...
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I would think that New Mexico would be a better place to launch rockets if only because you seem to have less rain there - launches get regularly cancelled here because of weather, and several times shuttles and rockets have had to be pulled off the launch pad and rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, which costs money and time, because of an approaching hurricane. Maybe the idea is that it's safer for a rocket to crash into the Atlantic if things don't go well, and it's certainly usually fairly easy for the Coast Guard to keep boats out of the "giant fuel tanks will fall on you" area.
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I'm not anxious to go to Mars myself, although I am definitely in favor of it in principle.... but I do have a lifetime desire: I want to live to be 102, because I know where the WorldCon is going to be that year... it'll be 2069, and WorldCon will be literally out of this world: Luna City. And being as the very first thing I remember is a big big rocketship way far across the water... in July 1969... I'm GOING.
And it's not pointless. Humans are by nature explorers. We've explored most of what we can here. It's time to get off this rock before we kill each other.
Reply
Maybe in pants instead of a short skirt.
I was kinda hoping for a planet outside this solar system but Mars will definitely do. And if it can't be me (and let's face it, for a lot of reasons, it won't be) I'd at least like to see somebody else go.
Reply
About 15 years ago, I got to see one of the decommissioned blackbirds fly over my hometown. I think I was in awe that one of the fastest things ever built just passed overhead and I heard the boom like a minute later (felt like it anyway). Can't even imagine how cool the space shuttle launch would be.
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I've gone to a couple of air shows where the Air Force has shown off their various planes - actually, this got annoying back in Fort Lauderdale when I lived near their take off point and had to listen to them practice for a couple of days and then take off and descend during the Air Show. Very loud, and when they broke the sound barrier it meant extensive time comforting a cat. But as cool as the Blue Angels are (and they're pretty cool) I like rockets more.
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Buried deep in yesterday's post is the fact that I got to see this lift off from 27,000 feet up through an airplane window as we came into Tampa for landing. :)
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