posted 08-28-2010 10:02 AM               

The sun is setting on the shuttle program, and on Jen Scheer's career as a shuttle technician.

But for the near future, the 35-year-old Merritt Island resident's focus is on sunrises.

Each morning before work at Kennedy Space Center, Scheer snaps pictures of day breaking and posts a favorite on Twitter and other sites.

The ritual has won an international following and become a book project, one that demonstrates the power of online social networking and symbolizes the promise of a fresh start after so much uncertainty about the space program.

"It's a nice way to start the day out," Scheer said after taking dozens of sunrise photos earlier this week. "It's something to look forward to."

...She recently posted a book proposal on a site called Kickstarter, which collects pledges if the project's creator meets a fundraising goal within a specified period of time.

Scheer's goal: $6,500 within 15 days. The money would help her produce electronic and hardcover versions of the coffee table-style book, and buy new photo equipment.