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Author
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Topic: FIRST ASTRONAUT(S) SIGHTING
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Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-09-2004 01:44 PM
   
June 11, 1969--It was a big day for this young teenage boy that had just moved with his family to Florida's Space Coast--on Merritt Island--only less than a year earlier. We had heard from the local newspaper, radio and TV broadcast that a big parade was planned on this day to honor the moon-orbiting astronaut crew of Apollo 10 that had just returned from space more than two weeks ago. My Mom, twin sister, and I traveled over to Cocoa Beach in hopes to get a glimpse of the veteran astronauts that would be waving from inside a convertible downtown A1A. The crowds were enormous--thousands of well-wishers lined the highway from all areas of the street. Finally, the motorcade passed us on by as I waved to Tom Stafford, sitting closer to where I stood, with John Young in the middle, and Gene Cernan at the far left. Needless to say, I was so thrilled and excited--to actually "see" in person men that have been so close to the Moon less than a month ago!Earlier that day, thousands of KSC-Spaceport workers lined the streets of the space center's industrial area as the moon-orbiting Apollo 10 crew returned to extend their appreciation to those who made their trip possible. Waving from a convertible during the motorcade through the Industrial Area to the massive Vehicle Assembly Building of Launch Complex 39, the crew spoke before an estimated 10,000 space workers. It was a wonderful day that I have never forgotten. That was my first introduction to an astronaut sighting or close encounter, but it certainly wasn't the last! That day in June 1969 was indeed a dream for this young boy, at the time, but many other dreams that weren't even imagined
would come true in the coming years for this young wide-eyed space enthusiast, now much older, ha. Just about all the astronauts from Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo I have met, gotten autographs from, worked with and became friends (with many). What more can one ask for, huh, as the dream still lives on in my life. My only regret -- that I would never have a chance to fly in space -- and see Planet Earth as an orbiting astronaut does! |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 03-09-2004 03:55 PM
Nice story, Ken. Must have been fantastic growing up there in those years. I have fond memories of A1A. Most have to do with carousing during off hours. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-09-2004 08:35 PM
Ken:You want a realistic ride into space and views of what earth orbit, trans lunar injection, and lunar arrival look like, go over to Epcot in Disney World and take the "Mission Space" attraction ride. Incredible! |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-10-2004 01:53 PM
Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to experience the "Mission Space" simulated trip to Mars, even though I get over to Disney quite often. I'm really not that much of a thrill-ride seeker, however, I was invited to visit the attraction and take the ride and already some of the astronauts have indicated that it's a great ride! I remember when Disney's Space Mountain attraction first opened at the Magic Kingdom, the Apollo-Soyuz astronaut and cosmonaut teams were invited to visit the future-world attraction. They took the ride in 1975, before their July joint space venture that same year, and remarked something like "This is space." That was a super-fast roller-coaster-type ride, which didn't bother me too much even though I'm not crazy about high-speed coaster rides.
But certainly--from what I'm hearing, which I'm sure you'll probably agree--Space Mountain is nothing compared to the new Mars adventure at Epcot. Would you agree? |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-10-2004 02:28 PM
If pulling some G's and a sensation of going like a bat out h--l doesn't bother you, anyone can do it.Don't pay any attention to those sickness warning signs going in. You'll psych yourself up to get that way. It's too good to miss, even if you do lose it. Who cares! [This message has been edited by ejectr (edited March 11, 2004).] [This message has been edited by ejectr (edited March 11, 2004).] | |
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