Space Shuttle Launch
Phil Jackson
I was fortunate to witness the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia at about 12:30 am on July 23, 1999.
Here's a photograph taken just after liftoff:
(c) Copyright 1999. All Rights Reserved.
I was about 6
miles away from the launchpad, where NASA takes average visitors for a
"VIP" viewing. (They have bleachers much closer for real VIP's.)
There was a large bay between us and the launch area. Fish were jumping every
few seconds like they were trying to get into orbit, too.
Here's another
photo taken a few seconds after liftoff:
(c)
Copyright 1999. All Rights Reserved.
The shuttle
seems to go up much faster than it appears on television. It lights up the
night sky and creates a thunderous sound.
It was exciting
to see the launch, and really spectacular. It's truly amazing to see a real
rocket ship take off!
Postscript:
The Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on
February 1, 2003, returning from its 28th mission, with all seven
crew members perishing. They gave their lives in humanity’s quest to explore
the universe, as did the crew of Challenger on January 28, 1986.[1]
Space exploration and economic development are vital to future prosperity here on Earth. If civilization remains confined to Earth then humanity is kept in an economy limited by the Earth’s resources. To transcend this future, mankind will need to explore and develop the natural resources of the solar system, and later the stars. A space program focused on economic development of outer space would pay for itself, many times over.
Space exploration and technology development are also the key to protecting Earth from a
"deep impact" collision that would destroy civilization. Such an impact will occur sooner or later, unless technology is developed to prevent it.