Count Down To Launch: Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Discovery Resumes Shuttle Launches
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... Lift Off!!!


Provided that no technical or weather delays present themselves today, the Space Shuttle Discovery is set to launch at 3:51 p.m. EST. As we know, 2 1/2 years ago the NASA program sustained a terrible blow when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded on approach to landing resulting in the loss of the Columbia astronauts. It has been reported that a piece of foam broke off the ship and damaged some tiles at liftoff. The control room was aware of it, but didn't know that incident had implications for Columbia's landing. And before that in 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded during launch. Lots of media attention was focused on this particular mission, because the first teacher was set to provide lessons from the shuttle to school kids on Earth. And to them I say a heartfelt, RIP, to those space explorers.

From the looks of things, NASA seems very determined to launch no matter what. And I guess they have to have that mindset since the window of opportunity for launch is very narrow. NASA said that it has implemented most of the safety recommendations. And the astronauts have stated that they are ready and eager to get the space shuttle launches back on track after the shuttle program's haitus. These people have to be strongminded and full of courage to be the first ones to go back on the heel's of the last disaster. At this point, I don't think they can call in sick for work? Nevertheless, I wish them well and pray that their mission goes safely.


My Aviation Experience



In a nut shell, I describe my feelings towards the field of aviation as mixed. On the one hand, I'm highly interested in techology and the new advancements made in the sciences. I like visiting the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I suppose my interest began when I was a kid. My older brother watched all things space related. We watched "Star Trek", "Star Wars", and other space shows. And we never missed a rocket or shuttle launch in the early years. I still can remember watching tv with my older brother and younger sister, when the first shuttle launched in 1981. That was so amazing. And later, I was truly proud when the late Dr. Ronald McNair, the late Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, and Dr. Mae Jemison inspired many black kids to become scientists, pilots, and astronauts. I'm also equally proud of the black astronauts currently in NASA's shuttle program. It definitely takes a high level of intelligence, guts, and perseverance to pursue careers such as these.

On the other hand, you couldn't coax me onto a spaceship even if you unleashed a heard of rodeo bulls on me. I'm just content with watching this space stuff from afar. You can barely get me on a plane. I flew for the first time when I was 2 months old. And I've flown several times since then. But last year's experience makes my family and friends chuckle. April of last year, I was scheduled to attend my cousin's wedding. I was scheduled to fly out 2 days before the wedding. The flight there would only be an hour. No big deal, right? Umm...Read on...

I arrived early at the airport to give me enough time to check my luggage and to make it through the security. Okay, things were going well. I casually strolled to the gate where I was scheduled to embark upon the the aircraft. Cool. I could see that the plane was there and waiting. Cool. But then, the airline representative got on the horn to announce that we would be boarding later than scheduled, because the toilet needed to be repaired. Cool. I was thinking how much of a shame it was for a previous passenger to have the runs while airborne so much so to break the toilet down. Eww... Okay, cool, I didn't expect the repairs to take long. But then, Ms. Airline Representative America got back on the horn to say that the flight would be delayed further, because people from another flight needed to make the connection to ours. Okay, cool, already. Hurry UP. Finally, an hour and half later, we passengers were allowed to board. Things seemed normal, until Mr. Captain Pilot announced to us that we would be flying into a line of thunderstorms, and that the flight attendants would be seated the whole time. ***Triple Eek*** I really started to get skurred to the 10th power, and it was quite evident as I wearily sunk down in my seat. Cap'n then announced that the tower had given us permission to push back and to prepare to take off. I closed my eyes and took a huge gulp of air to calm myself. But I knew what I just heard, so why did the plane back up and then pull forward? Then Cap'n Pilot announced that the radio wasn't working properly.

HOLD UP....WAIT A MINUTE!!!.... OH SNAP!!!...HYSTERICS IS A COMING!!!

Ms. Zee gathered up her purse and carry-on bag and got up out of her seat. There was no way in the world that I'd let them take me way, way, way up in the sky into a line of thunderstorms with a malfunctioning radio. So, I walked up to the front of the plane where the pilot, airplane engineer, and flight attendants were huddled together. I lightly tapped on a flight attendant's shoulder and informed her that Ms. Zee (which would be me...*smile*) had become very ill with morning sickeness (lie) so that I could get off that baby rat den, do you hear me? This older lady flight attendant said, "Baby, what's wrong? Don't worry; you'll be okay. The toilet has been fixed." I did and didn't hear her, because I was determined to get off. She informed me that it was too late to have my checked suitcase removed from the plane, and all I could managed to say was, "cool." I would have someone pick it up at RDU. Eventually, she had another airline worker to escort me off the plane. You should have seen my sick act. I held my stomach and walked in zigzagged lines into the airport. I felt about 1000% better immediately. *Whew*

Friends and family still kid me about that incident. But I did manage to fly out two days later, which was the day of the wedding. While I was working with an airline customer service agent to recoup my money from the previous disembarked flight, he joked with me about me being scared...**Stray thought: It would be just like me to meet/date/marry an airline pilot. It really doesn't make a difference one way or the other, because I would never fly with him. I don't care whether he said that the Baywatch babes, Hooters' girls, Rap video vixens, Soul Train dancers, Playboy bunnies, and Hustler hooches were going to be onboard his flight, because I still wouldn't get on**... My flight to RDU was smooth, and I was happy to notice that Shirley Ceasar, the gospel singer, was on board. As far as I was concerned, we needed all the help we could get. The wedding was lovely. But the flight home was on a windy day, and had me grimacing the whole way. I made it home, but that incident a few days back makes a sister think about a few things sho nuff, okay? I just hope that I can get over these fears enough to fly to a beautiful Caribbean island.

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Song of the Day:

"Love Light In Flight" by Stevie Wonder