Today is the day! We packed up RV-103, closed out the condo, and proceeded to our “launch pad” for the shakedown mission of Discovery. We traveled from our home in the Clearwater/Tampa Bay area to the Port Canaveral Campground in Cape Canaveral FL. There we got to use our first club discount. The Passport America membership got us a 50% discount for our stay.
The purpose of the trip to Cape Canaveral was a chance to say goodbye to some of my family and friends from work and show off the RV. We spent the next day entertaining guests and having a relaxing day.
The Ares I-X was on the launch pad at KSC for its inaugural launch scheduled for the 26th. The weather was poor with low clouds and rain and they had to postpone the launch 24 hrs. Both days I went down to the beach to watch the launch, but the weather did not clear well enough to meet launch safety requirements until the 28th. By that time we were already on our shakedown mission and missed the launch. I am pleased to report that all the naysayers saying the rocket couldn’t fly were soundly proven wrong with the success of Ares I-X. Well done United Space Alliance and NASA!
- Go Ares I-X!!! Taken 10-22-09
Next up, launch of RV-103!
