Space Shuttle

  The Space Shuttle began its life of flight when I was about 8-9 years old. This marvel of modern science has enamored me for most of my life. In fact, I don't think I can remember much prior to my first memories of the Shuttle. The Shuttle started flying about when the house in Big Bear finished getting built. I do have some memories of building the house that I will share some other time.  

  Sometime in the first couple of flights, we got to go see the Shuttle land at Edwards. I remember the military jets flying over the highway as we made the journey to see the landing. One screamed by so close, it was breathtaking. The drive seemed so long, but I kept an eagle eye out for the Shuttle. Somehow I had convinced myself it was going to land before we got there. Or maybe I could catch a glimpse of it flying around prior to the landing.

  This is my first memory of the Mojave desert. It was so massive. I remember not understanding what I was going to see or how far away the landing was. But the desert was full of beauty and for a moment this little boy was heading towards something little boys love to do.

  This is also one of two memories I have of my grandpa. I never really knew the guy. But this was one occasion where I can remember him playing a role. He had the pass to get us on base so we could see the landing. I can't really remember him being there. I just remember he played a part. 

  There was a huge volume of people there to watch the landing. I don't know if we had binoculars or a telescope. I just remember going around and looking in other peoples . I had so much anticipation, yet, I wasn't sure what to expect.

  Then came those sonic booms. I am sure there was an update given to the people about the Shuttle coming in. But I don't remember there being one. I just remember the booms. The booms were very strange to me. They sounded like an explosion yet there was no visible source for the noise.

  There were two escort planes that followed the shuttle in. But it was so far away. I could see the Shuttle easily. It was bright white against a dirty dry lake bed background. It seemed very surreal at the time.  I didn't yet know the complexity involved in making that wonderful machine go into space and land like a plane.

  It glided in for a picture perfect touch down. It was silky smooth. I remember wondering why it was so quiet when the jets were so noisy.

  I was trying to figure out why it didn't taxi off the runway. It just landed and parked right there. Didn't the pilots watch other planes land. They all begin to taxi to the terminal right after they land. I was dumbfounded.

  Then the whole thing fades away. The last memory I have is of the Shuttle sitting there. I don't know how long we stayed or if we watched it get towed away. 

  And now the program is over. Perhaps one day I will get to visit one in a museum. Maybe I can even get a look inside. If I get a chance to do that it would be awesome and I would jump at the opportunity.

  As I write this out, the second the the last Shuttle is flying. I hope there is a lot of fanfare when the final one (Atlantis) lands. I plan on following the final flight. It will be 135 missions with 133 successful landings.

  The generation before me got to enjoy the start of space exploration. I was hoping to be witness to another lunar landing. Perhaps with all this new camera and computer technology, faking another landing would be impossible to pull off. Hehe

  The history of space travel is still very young. I wonder what the future will hold. Will there be another exciting program to captivate the next youth? What could possibly top what has been done so far? Oh I hope that there is.

  For others the memories of the Shuttle bring them back to when the Shuttle Challenger blew up shortly after take off. The first teacher to go into space was the thing that was going to be special. Instead, millions of school kids watched the destruction live on TV at school. I wonder if they are thinking about that, now that the Shuttle is being retired.

  I am glad I don't share those same memories. The memory I have is one of great adventure. One of being in utter awe. A memory of joy. 

  It disturbs me a little to have this era close in my life. It is not a difficult thing. It just reminds me of a time when I was a child. Dreams could be obtained and even the sky wasn't the limit.