#spacex3

The spirit of a NASA Social

On April 14th, we were on the NASA Causeway, with a spectacular view of SpaceX-3’s launch pad before us, when the announcement came through the PA system: “Scrubbed.” 

The woman’s disembodied voice instantly deflated our group’s mood. For a second time in five weeks, we were denied the chance of seeing a rocket launch into space. A few who had braved the Florida humidity to set up their tripods and cameras reluctantly packed up their gear, while the rest of us stayed inside the air-conditioned bus. We exchanged mournful faces and frantically tweeted the latest developments as the vehicle rumbled it’s way back to the NASA Press Center. The return journey felt much longer.

Later that evening, between sips of margaritas and Mexican food, we reflected on the past few days and embraced the spirit of a NASA Social.

We were strangers, now friends, who witnessed a little bit of history and felt damn good about it. And we were primed to share our space fever with anyone who would listen.

  Photo courtesy of NASA TV

And she’s off

“3… 2… 1… And lift off of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon…”

I clutched my iPhone with both hands as SpaceX-3 began its fiery ascent.

It was April 18th  and I stood in my grocery store’s produce section not able to do much but watch my phone’s little screen. Rather than witnessing the SpaceX-3 launch in-person, I was watching it on NASA TV. Despite the disappointing viewing location, I still found my eyes filled with tears.

Happiness. Gratitude. Relief. I tried to convince myself that I cried because of these emotions. The truth is, it was about hope.

Hope for a better today, a better tomorrow. Hope that our children will grow old in a world that’s healthy and sane. Hope that we can finally focus on the things that matter.

It’s a simplistic view of something as complex as space exploration, but I’m sticking to it. Humans have a fantastic ability to make things awesome for us, or we can be our worst nightmare.

NASA gives me hope, and I’m wishing it does the same for you.

  A brief word about launches

Launches are tenuous events. If there’s one shred of doubt, just one thing that’s not right, the whole thing’s off.

NASA CRS-3 Launch by Scriptunas Images on Flickr.