Russ and Jen

NASA's Flight Facility was selected to launch a satellite to the moon for the first time in its history. Scheduled for 11:27 pm, I really thought we'd simply watch it on TV, or maybe go outside and see if we could spot it.

As the launch time got closer and closer, though, it seemed that we shouldn't let the opportunity pass, since it was only about three hours away. 

So after launch on Friday, we decided to go to Ocean City, MD and watch from the inlet parking lot there. Once we were on the road, the attraction just was too strong and we decided we would go all the way down to the Chicoteague HIgh School and take the shuttle bus to one of the prime viewing areas. We really had no idea what to expect and didn't know how close we'd be able to get, but we knew now we were going for it.

Well, it all worked perfectly. The weather was clear, we had no trouble getting to the high school, and the local volunteers who were handling the shuttle buses were like pros, given their experience during the Chincoteague pony crossings every summer.

The sky was clear and at 11:27, the sky lit up. What a spectacular sight. It is a little surreal to watch the rocket climbing into the night sky, with the rocket exhaust making it look like an enormous comet, in silence. Then, after about a minute, the sound hits and the experience is even more incredible.

We got home about 4 am and spent Saturday recovering, but it was a an adventure we will not forget.