My friend Jerry and I had the opportunity to watch the second-to-last Space Shuttle launch, as well as get a behind-the-scenes tour of the shuttle facilities.

Here's a shot of Endeavour on the pad ready to be launched the following day, taken during our tour around the Cape:

Besides the launch pad visit, we also got a tour of the main engine servicing facility and a stop at the Vehicle Assembly Building and Shuttle Landing Facility.  We had a few hours to roam around the visitor center as well as the Saturn V center.

We were fortunate enough to share this experience with the United Technologies/Rocketdyne team responsible for designing and maintaining the shuttle main engines.  Another person who joined us for the visit and a few meals was a shuttle astronaut:

We were brought to the Banana Creek viewing site - where the astronauts' families view the launches.  We had an unobstructed view of the shuttle about 3.8 miles away.  Even Obama came to town to watch the launch - we saw his helicopter caravan on the way in.

Unfortunately, the launch was scrubbed due to a technical malfunction! Sigh.  It was successfully launched a couple weeks later, on 5/16/2011.

Picture gallery here!

Last modified: 05/11/2012