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Topic: 12/5/2001: STS-108's launch anniversary
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sts205cdr Member Posts: 649 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 12-05-2008 01:41 PM
Me and two friends hunkered down at the Surf Studio in Cocoa Beach the day before the scheduled launch on the 29th of November. I can remember us watching TV and slowly realizing the fouled docking interface was going to mean a postponement of several days. My friends stuck it out as long as they could, but eventually had to leave for home, brokenhearted. Somehow, I had had the foresight to plan for a week's delay, and was at Rusty's in Port Canaveral to witness the launch on December 5th...Minutes later, I looked over and noticed Scott Kelly standing around with a smile and a beer. That was the cherry on top, chatting with Scott while his brother Mark was rocketing into space. December 5th, 2001 - One of the best days I've ever spent. --John |
OV-105 Member Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 12-05-2008 04:35 PM
You did buy him a beer didn't you? |
sts205cdr Member Posts: 649 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 12-05-2008 04:53 PM
quote: Originally posted by OV-105: You did buy him a beer didn't you?
No, but I did send Scott and Mark both an MPLM patch when I got home. Scott had commented that he didn't have one when he saw it on my jacket (under my OV-105 patch). --John
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Ben Member Posts: 1896 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: May 2000
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posted 12-05-2008 05:16 PM
I am rather surprised to hear that Scott Kelly would be watching the launch from Rusty's and not be on site with family or VIPs. |
sts205cdr Member Posts: 649 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 12-05-2008 05:21 PM
His family was with him, but I was a bit surprised, too.--John |
Tom Member Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-06-2008 07:30 AM
John...very interesting story!Has anyone else here watched a shuttle launch (off site) alongside an astronaut? |