I was one of the lucky ones to see a night launch at Kennedy Space Center which was Friday, November 14 at 7:55pm. I drove over from Tampa with some friends, and had a great front row seat on the bank of the Indian River across from the Space Center. After the shuttle lifted off, the whole area look like it was daytime, and you could smell the fumes from the shuttle, for it was very windy. My understanding there was a crew of 7and the Endeavour Shuttle was the STS-126 which is the 27th shuttle mission to the International Space Station. For years, STS-126 has been planned as the mission that will give the International Space Station the ability to support twice the crew currently living there. The lift off began a 15-day mission to outfit the International Space Station with equipment and supplies. The new gear will set the stage for doubling the station's crew to six from the current three. STS-126 is known as a utilization and logistics flight to the International Space Station. Endeavour is carrying a cargo module called Leonardo that has been loaded with about 14,500 pounds of equipment and supplies. The gear includes a water recycling system, new crew quarters, an exercise device and a space kitchen. Once installed and operational, the equipment will support a station resident crew of six instead of the current three. A beautiful orange full moon has emerged just over the horizon at Kennedy to provide a fitting backdrop for the launch of Endeavour. Many of the experiments taking place on the International Space Station are focused on aspects of returning astronauts to the moon. For example, the water recycling system the astronauts will install in the space station will test processes that can be improved for moon missions in the future. The moon was bright as the space shuttle lifted off, which was a perfect way to end the night.
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When in Florida, a great place to visit! www.kennedyspacecenter.com
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