YOUR MISSION now that SPACE TRAVEL is 50 years old

Go for a lift off before it’s too late!

Seven humans returned from space today when the Shuttle Discovery landed in Florida to complete another successful mission off planet earth. The accomplishments show how far the space program has come in the last five decades: Astronaut Scott Parazynski completed four more space walks to bring his total to eight.

The 50-year-old European astronaut Paolo Nespoli enjoyed his first trip to space. The HARMONY mode was delivered and installed on the International Space Station (ISS) as a gateway for future Japanese and European science labs.

The “Space Race” began with two “super power” nations pitted against each other and only men on the frontlines. In contrast, last week, shuttle Commander Pam Melroy floated with ISS Commander Peggy Whitson and ISS crewmate Yuri Malenchenko. As you are reading this, the female American commander, a Russian cosmonaut and American Astronaut Dan Tani are circling our globe every 90 minutes on ISS, going over 17,000 miles an hour on a venture of international cosmic cooperation, not competition.

FLIP SIDE OF 50
This was the first shuttle mission since the 50th birthday of Sputnik and space travel were celebrated. ( for related milestones and moves: view link )
The Russian satellite triggered a new era on October 4, 1957. Most of us grew up with Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo being amazing vehicles and voyages, not just characters in myths. From Tang and velcro to cell phones and computers, the Boomer Age has been inspired, shaped, and partly defined by the Space Age.

Now that the Space Age is on the “flip side of 50,” it’s regrouping and making some changes, like a lot of EONS members. There is a return to childhood dreams of reaching for the stars and to the glory days of its youth—in this case, the Apollo era of sending people beyond earth orbit. The new Constellation program will have missions that aim for the moon again, and later Mars. Before then though, the shuttles that have flown for much of our lives will be gone.

SPACE SHUTTLES LIFT-OFFS before it’s too Late
After almost 30 years of service, the Space Shuttle fleet is slated for retirement by 2010, to make way for the new generation of vehicles. After the current Shuttles have completed their obligations to help build the International Space Station and repair the Hubble Space telescope, there may be a gap of five years before NASA vehicles launch humans into space from US soil.

I didn’t want to miss the latest opportunity to witness a Shuttle launch before they are retired. Like thousands of others, I went to Cape Canaveral to watch STS 120 launch on October 23. A shuttle launch is one of those experiences that can make you glad to be alive in these times, and proud to be a human. Even in the press area, people cheered when almost seven million pounds of thrust lifted the rockets and astronauts off the earth safely. Once again, members of our species were leaving the planet to explore our potential.

You and I can watch Shuttle launches on television or the internet, but like other events that test human limits (the Olympics, political conventions, great concerts) being there in person is more visceral, memorable, and personal. We can experience moments that no cameras can capture.

I remember a cold night years ago when I sat on the ground with others to watch my first shuttle launch in person. The sky exploded quietly with brilliant light when the Shuttle first shot up. I then saw the powerful sound waves sway the grasses in front of me before I felt the waves undulate through me as I heard the lift-off, moments after seeing it.

The night before the latest launch, astronaut Steve Smith explained to well-wishers that because sound travels slower than light, depending on your proximity and the temperature, you might feel “the sound waves pound through your chest” after you have seen the blast-off.

The recent launch was close to noon, but the rocket flames still seared the sky and challenged the sun. And only minutes later, another reward for actually being there-
I saw a manatee play in the river nearby in the Wildlife Refuge that surrounds the launch site.

Unlike many events and milestones that offer great experiences, shuttle launches can be witnessed from public areas for free, if you can get there.

YOUR TURN

If you want to see (and hear) the Discovery, Atlantis, or Endeavor launch in person, the information below can help with the where and when and with some extra “what.” To participate in this era of our Boomer Space history first-hand, pick a launch while you still can, and create your own space mission.

WHEN:
Right now the next launches are scheduled for early December, 2007 ( Shuttle Atlantis) and Valentine’s Day, 2008 (Shuttle Endeavor ), April 24, (Discovery), August 7, 2008 (Shuttle Atlantis to go to the Hubble Space telescope), and September 18, 2008 STS 126 (Endeavor). Launch dates can slip, though, so keep checking the NASA launch site: view link ) or you can sign up to be kept notified by the Kennedy Space Center
( view link/eventSignUp.asp' rel='nofollow'>view link )

Make travel plans flexible, since launch dates can change, sometimes by months. Put the launch near the front of your itinerary so you can stick around if weather shifts the take-off by a day or two. On launch day, get to your viewing spot a few hours early, so you don’t get stuck in traffic.

WHERE:
You can fly into Orlando or Melbourne, Florida and drive to a variety of hotels close to Cape Canaveral or head directly to various viewing sites. NASA suggests several free viewing spots along local highways and causeways near the ocean, or Indian or Banana Rivers: (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view/view_shuttle.html )

Watching from the Kennedy Space Center costs money, but includes a giant screen for those with an obstructed view, and lots of entertainment and educational options, including meeting astronauts. ( view link )

Camping at Jetty Park on Cape Canaveral provides a favorite viewing location, with fishing and shuffleboard (407-699-6032). The town of Titusville offers amenities and welcomes visitors, and Cocoa Beach and its “Space Coast” offer fun surf with your turf and space. Brand-name hotels line the beachfront.

I enjoyed the balcony, kitchen and Jacuzzi tub in my suite at the Ron Jon Resort Cape Caribe ( www.ronjonresort.com ) It’s further from the action of town, but with a water slide and mini golf , the place has its own kid-centric action (for big kids who never grew up and littler kids you might have brought to share the Shuttle experience). If you book early enough, there are rooms with balconies that offer shuttle launch views. Otherwise, you are next to Jetty Park for a viewing entry that doesn’t involve camping.

Tip: Most public viewing locations have no seating, so bring folding chairs, blankets, and other comforts.

WHAT (else):

To get in the mood and mindset for the launch, the Kennedy Space Center is a great supplement. Offerings include a 3D Imax movie about the International Space Station, the “world’s largest space store,” a first-hand look at the enormous Saturn V rocket, a moon rock that you can touch, and tours to see the modules of the ISS being built.

You can even strap aboard the Shuttle Launch Experience, a $60 million dollar project that was unveiled last May, 2007. Be prepared for some tilting and rocking, and even a fleeting sense of weightlessness, or opt out to watch from another room. Having a simulated sense of the intensity of a shuttle-take off can add to watching the real thing.

The Astronaut’s Hall of Fame in Titusville will let you walk down memory lane cosmically with a large collection of personal astronaut artifacts from Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo days. If you want to test yourself to see whether being a future Space Cowboy or Cowgirl appeals to you, you can also experience multiple G forces or land a space shuttle.

Cocoa Beach has several beachfront hotels, a street named “I Dream of Jeannie,” and the Ron Jon Surf Shop, which calls itself the “world’s largest Surf shop” and carries an imaginative range of beach toys.

If you want to go even further from a Space theme for the rest of your trip, the biggest city nearby is Orlando, an entertainment magnet. In addition to major theme parks of Walt Disney World, shopping meccas, great golf courses, there’s-

* CIRCUS: A permanent bigtop in Donwtonw Disney is home for the captivating Cirque du Soleil show called “La Nouba” (named from the French phrase faire la nouba meaning “to party, live it up”) view link

* MUSEUMS: The The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum offers the “most comprehensive collection of Tiffany.” ( www.morsemuseum.org) The Orlando Art Museum, (www.OMArt.org ) ranges from ancient Meso-American sculptures to modern painting.

*GARDENS: Stroll through 50 acres of beauty at the Harry P. Leu Gardens, renowned for their camellias and themed gardens, www.leugardens.org and enjoy outdoor sculptures with gracious greens at The Polacek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. www.polasek.org

*BOAT TRIPS For half a century, people have enjoyed touring the canals and connecting lakes in Winter Park. www.scenicboattours.com

The Orlando Tour and Conventions Center links to even more options. view link

Theme Hotels on Disney property can offer unique rooms with views that include roaming live giraffes, or Disney characters and décor galore. If you desire more mainstream hotels that also offer Disney perks, (like getting Park tickets without lines, shuttle transportation, and link times on the many golf courses), check out the set of 7 hotels called “Downtown Disney” that offer comfort and sanctuary.
(www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com) They include Hilton Orlando Resort, Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Doubletree Guest Suites, , Holiday Inn, Regal Sun Resort and Royal Plaza.

MORE SPACE?
If you are missing Space at this point, you can go to Epcot and try the Mission:SPACE, a shake-you-up exhilarating (nauseating, for some) motion ride. You sit with three others, and each person is assigned a role to play like navigator or engineer.

Many hotels may also have NASA television, and you can watch “your” astronauts perform space walks from the comfort of your room. Or you can check NASA for webcasts online. Or just stare at the stars and know that the shuttle and people are up there somewhere, and you got to watch them launch.