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Today was all about realizing a childhood dream of seeing the moon launch Saturn V Rocket. It always amazed me that pilots would sit on top of one of those, given that it contained the same explosive power as an atomic bomb, and their history of failed test rockets earlier on.
I'd also heard from a friend that their young teenage daughters got a lot out of it - and this lived up to expectations, too.
Naturally we saw lots of rockets, space stuff, suits etc. We started the day with a flight simulator that recreates a launch of the Shuttle. Reluctantly all joined me, and it was pretty good. From there we dashed to a presentation from an 'Astronaut'. Zero expectations. Blown away.
It was a quiet day so we had front row seats in a typical auditorium. A bit of pre-amble, then in walked an Astronaut looking dude (We expected a long since retired and no longer trim and athletic serviceman (As is often the way from what we've seen). This guy looked like the test pilot he was.
Retired - Yes. Shuttle commander - Yes. Been to space - sure! Deputy of NASA at one stage - for a few years, yes. Carrier jet pilot (With over 800 landings) - yes. Legend! (Jon McBride)
All this history, plus the unfolding space program, was told in such a humble way we were totally engrossed. everything he did, he was lucky to do - at no point was he the hero, it always the others for this and that reasons. He told the whole space race thing through the eyes of a real person who was in the right place at the right time (He did state, but downplayed, the effort and competition he had to go through to be selected). Quite moving and very informative, supported by an excellent slideshow form his photo album. Blew me away and had quite a deep impact on the girls - they loved him and the talk, and still couldn't get over that he was a real spaceman!
After that we went to the soon to be dismantled Shuttle Launch Pad - good to see something that we've watched so many times over the years. Great to put it in context.
On later to the giant Saturn V rocket, which lived up to expectations of being 'rather large' and complex. I had a model as a kid and seeing it in real life was a buzz. The most complex machine ever built (So they say), with the processing power of a digital camera's viewfinder!
We wound up the day after passing the sheds containing the last three Shuttles then into the car and a winding journey home. Danielle needed cake making supplies so we made a beeline for that, with the day marching on we deviated for a wee shopping trip in Target and Super Target. Insanely large shops! Pizza Hut pizza (From inside Target) then home to a late bed...again.
A rather nerdy, but suprisingly excellent day for all. Highlight was deinitely our very own spaceman!
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