Kennedy Space Center : VAB Tour Ends Feb 23, 2014

I know right? The Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB will close its doors to the public soon. Feb 23, 2014 is actually a date extended to give enough time for visitors to see up-close where vehicles were assembled for launch.

The Kennedy Space Center is having a “KSC Up-Close Vehicle Assembly Building Tour” and “KSC Up-Close Mega Tour” which will be offered to the public up to Feb 23. These tours are worth for the money because one will surely enjoy the behind-the-scenes and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

NASA is preparing the VAB for the new SLS launch systems for 2017. Isn’t the news awesome? That means, Titusville and all other areas in the Space Coast will be alive again. I mean, the businesses will soon back on its happy days once again. You should know that at present, there are so many establishments in Titusville went downhill in fact, many closed its doors to their clients and customers. When NASA's Space Shuttle Program ends in 2011, thousands of the employees lost their job. You know what that means right? Domino effect.

Anyway, did you know that the Vehicle Assembly Building is the largest single-story building in the world? Yep, they assemble the gigantic shuttle in this building that's why.

See the American flag on the building? That was the largest in the world when added in 1976. I took these photos when we were on tour. The driver/tour guide was explaining the length and how wide is that flag.

I have been here for so many times but, I can't find the pictures I took of the inside. It is time to take the tour once again before it ends. Oh my goodness, that will be in less than 2 weeks. I should buy my ticket this week. Pictures? I will be posting them here soon. Watch out for it. Thanks for stopping by.

Watching the Rocket Launch: Falcon 9 GEO Transfer Mission

Last week, the Falcon 9 SES 8 communications satellite was scheduled to launch at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The mission of SES 8 is to "provide Ku-band and Ka-band direct-to-home broadcasting and network services over the Asia-Pacific region. This rocket will fly in the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks and a payload fairing." Two  seconds to lift off, the launch was aborted. The second attempt to launch was scheduled Nov 28- Thanksgiving Day. We were watching the launch at Port Saint John by the Indian River.

It was a chilly afternoon on a Thanksgiving Day. There were quiet a few people who were not Floridians and were hoping to see the launch for the first time. It was cloudy but, the weather was not the factor of the aborted launch.

There was a Wifi signal by the boat dock, thanks to Bright House, I was able to use my iPad to monitor the Space X live webcast. It was truly chilly outdoor so; we stayed inside the car the whole time.

The launch pad is straight ahead. On a clear day, the rocket launch is clearly visible from here. The best spot to watch the launch is at Kennedy Space Center in the Apollo premises.

The parking space in the boat dock is full but, not crowded. Most of all, it was okay to wait because the weather is cool.

The window for the launch was between 5:37 to 6:43 PM EST but, as you can see, it was really cloudy. There was a second attempt to launch and aborted. They re-scheduled by Monday, December 2 but, it was delayed. Today is the third attempt. I hope it will be successful this time.

We can see the rocket from our front yard but, it is nicer to see it from here. I will be taking photos for comparison. Have a great day everyone!

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch

I know it's late in sharing you this great news. I am so pre-occupied with so many things plus, my sister-in-law and her family will be spending an early Thanksgiving dinner with us, tomorrow. I know right? Oh, hubby and I can't wait and we are so excited for their visit. We almost forgot about this launch today. As I am writing this, I only have about 40 minutes left to be in the right area to watch it. I guess we will just watch it by the Indian River. We are too tired to watch it in Cape Canaveral. Anyway, this mission of the SpaceX is the first geosynchronous transfer orbit mission out of Cape Canaveral, Florida

Okay, this is Falcon 9 SES 8 communications satellite and the launch is scheduled today, November 25 at 5:37 to 6:43 PM EST at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The mission of SES 8 is to "provide Ku-band and Ka-band direct-to-home broadcasting and network services over the Asia-Pacific region. This rocket will fly in the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks and a payload fairing."

As I look at outside, it is cloudy and miserable. I don't know if this rocket will launch today.

Space X Falcon 9 Lift Off

Today, May 22 made a mark in the history in Cape Canaveral. The picture below is the successful rocket launch of the SPACE X's Falcon 9, the first private vessel heading to the International Space Station carrying food and supply for those currently in the ISS. The launch took place in Space Launch Complex-40 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. We were looking at the direction of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and listening on the radio too. The on-time lift-off occurred after a smooth countdown and we watched this beautiful rocket lift off. The picture below is where we always went to watch the shuttle lift off. This was taken in another time (April 17-Shuttle Discovery piggyback moment).We were at the boat dock along Indian River just across the Cape Canaveral area. The weather is nice. The Falcon 9 carried SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, embarking a historic flight to the ISS. This is a demonstration flight and Dragon is expected to do the on-orbit maneuvers, rendezvous capabilities and vehicle performance.Few people came here and mostly locals. The tiny building at the center of the picture below is a building in Kennedy Space Center- NASA and further right is the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.I am using my Blackberry phone and I only took two pictures. I hope this test will be a great success.