On Sun, 31 May 2020 01:14:07 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:

wrote:
On Sat, 30 May 2020 16:26:15 -0400,
wrote:

On Sat, 30 May 2020 16:05:35 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:



...was spectacular.

This "new" era of the USA's space program is
mind-boggling for those of us who remember
Alan Shepard's first suborbital flight
in "Freedom 7" 59 years ago.

Even more unique is that America's private
industry has taken over the role of designing
and building this next generation spacecraft.

Still blows my mind that they can land the
first stage back on a small, floating barge
to be re-used.

Congrats to SpaceX, NASA and to Elon Musk,
a true technical visionary.

Should also mention that there are at least
three other private companies developing
spacecraft and rockets for future use.

===

Absolutely right, a spectacular achievement and all concerned should
be very proud.

I'm looking forward to their next night launch since we've discovered
that we can see them from here, starting a minute or two after lift
off. We can easily see main engine cutoff and second stage ignition.

I went out to look but a cloud bank along I-75 blocked my view. We
used to get a great look at the shuttle launches if the weather
cooperated.


Best launch I ever witnessed was a Vandenburg launch. We were in Yosemite
at the Ranger campfire and near sunset. Looking west out of the valley
the rocket staged exactly opposite the entrance. Looked like the 2nd
stage firing was miles wide.


I was in that little parking lot where folks hang on US Rt 1 right
across from the space center for STS-6 (One of the Columbia missions
that didn't blow up). It was the same week I met my wife. A had also
gone to St Patty's day at Church Street in mousetown and cruised
through Daytona. All around a great trip to Florida.

A shuttle up close is quite the show.