Atlas V Rocket - AV-037 Launch

Yesterday, we went to Kennedy Space Center about 3:40 PM to watch the launch of Atlas V Ι SBIRS GEO 2 which was scheduled at 5:21 PM. It was our first time to watch the launch inside Kennedy Space Center because usually when there are scheduled launch, hubby and I watch it at the US 1 in Port St John by the Indian River or go to Cocoa for a closer location. I snipped the photo below from the video that I personally took.

The Atlas V rocket was launched at the Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. I was using an X36.0 zoom from my Samsung WB150F digi cam taken at the back area of Apollo Saturn V Center.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket or AV-037 launch is important carrying the U.S. military's second Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 2, for missile early-warning detection.

The photo above was taken before the launch at the back of the Apollo Saturn V area.  Tourists and locals were excited to watch the launch of the Atlas V Rocket. The bleachers are full so; some guests occupied the areas beside the bleachers.

The viewing bleachers are full when we arrived at 5:00 PM. The launch was spectacular and on time. It only took 80 seconds viewing as what the announcer said. The next launch to watch will be on May 15 at 5:39 - 5:58 PM at SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The mission of United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is to deploy the Air Force's fourth Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System.

Visiting the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center is a major tourist destination in Central Florida and just an hour drive from Orlando. It is one of ten major NASA field centers and a launch site of the United States.

Since 1968, it has been used for every NASA human space flight. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island, Florida and would you be amazed if I tell you, we live just 15 minutes away from KSC? Yes we are. All three photos below are exhibit display at the Rocket Garden area.

The first area to explore when you visit the Kennedy Space Center / KSC is the Visitor Complex, which has different exhibits, artifacts, displays and attractions on the history and future of human as well as robotic spaceflight. All bus tours of Kennedy Space Center start from this area. It offers public tours of the center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Kennedy Space Center is a big property and is a wildlife sanctuary therefore; Bald Eagles, American alligators, wild boars, Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes, Florida panthers and Florida manatees are just taking refuge in the area.

The complex also includes the separate Apollo/Saturn V Center, north of the VAB and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame (photo below), six miles west near Titusville.

Check out the tag topic below this post to see more photos of Kennedy Space Center. Thanks for stopping by. I will be seeing you in Kennedy Space Center soon right?

Space X Falcon 9/Dragon 2

Today, we went to our favorite spot to watch the launch of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. We wanted to watch it inside Kennedy Space Center or by Cape Canaveral but, we were uncertain which spot has a good view for it. We have less than 15 minutes to decide so; we went to the original plan. It was cloudy but they say its 80 percent favorable. Theres a slight possibility that thick clouds and liftoff winds could prevent launch but, it went well.