Uniquely Hari: NASA - Kennedy Space Center 6/8

NASA - Kennedy Space Center 6/8

NASA - Kennedy Space Center

July 2

As its three engines reverberated to life and the twin rocket boosters roared like Thor, the Space Shuttle Atlantis took off on its final voyage into space on July 8, 2011. It was headed to the International Space Station, to provide supplies, conduct experiments and further our understanding of our intriguing universe. When it returned on July 21, it marked the end of 30 years of the Space Shuttle Program.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Merrit Island in Florida is/was the sole launch facility for all the Shuttle's 135 missions since 1981. And I was fortunate in that I got to visit and see the last Shuttle docked, ready to take off, just a few days before its launch. No more will we witness the Shuttle take off, land or even see it docked. The sheer scope of such endeavours is thrilling. What would it be like to experience weightlessness I wonder, (like Dr Stephen Hawking did) - does it give you freedom from the limitations and vagaries of this human body. When not controlled by gravity and/or friction, what are the possibilities for the physics of motor movement and abilities. The mind and consciousness expand in the vastness of space. Like space itself, the possibilities stretch to infinity.

Kennedy Space Center has a Shuttle Launch Simulator. The ride tries give you as close an experience to the real Shuttle launch into orbit as possible. You enter the shuttle launch facility (modeled after the real one the astronauts use). As you wait, you hear/see astronauts talk of their own missions and experiences. After a pre-launch briefing, the crew (that's us), enter the module and are strapped in. The launch process begins, guided by a veteran astronaut, with views of the external robotic arms at work. The shuttle takes off and the pressure changes as we approach space. The roof opens up and we get views of our magnificent planet Earth.

In terms of being a "ride", the Universal Studios, Six-flags and Disney's of terra-firma, do a better job of the bumps, jolts and quick thrills. That is to say, the Shuttle Launch ride was tame, if one compares it to an amusement park ride. But one can't compare the Space Shuttle Missions to an amusement park ride. You open your mind's eye, become an astronaut and feel the experience of take off.

A bus tour took us around the facility. A great deal was not open to the public, which is both understandable (top secret work), yet frustrating - I would have loved to see and learned more. From the Observation Gantry, we got a panaramic view of the docked shuttle. It looked magnificent against the backdrop of the blue skies above and the equally blue ocean nearby. We got to see the absolutely ginormic transport vehicles with caterpillar wheels, that carry the parts to the launch facility. They need their own special road. The main NASA building, when it was built in the 1950s, was considered to be the biggest building in the world. (I guess you have to be an employee or VIP to get in there!). Merrit Island is also a wild life santuary, so we got to see an alligator, an eagle and even an eagle's nest.

The Shuttle Launch Plaza had a full size replica of the Space Shuttle. There were stairs to take you to different levels. Though it is enormous, it must be kinda cramped living quarters for the astronuts, with all their equipment and supplies on board.

There were various exhibits and shows - showcasing the past and future endeavors of NASA. The interactive Explorers Wanted show was interesting, we were right there in the mission control room on the ground.

The grandest exhibit had to be the Saturn V rocket - it was the real deal, not a replica. It is some 36 stories tall, so it was one really looo...oong exhibit hall. The Saturn V rockets launched the Apollo moon missions including Apollo 8 and Apollo 11. It had 3 stages, each a tech marvel in its own right.

The cafeteria features astronaut ice-cream - solid even at warm or room temperatures, as enjoyed by astronauts in space. Its taste was interesting, kind of like candy, yet not at the same time.

It was a super super hot day as well - the outside temperature was in the high 90s - desert like. (Would have loved a water ride in that heat :)). Kennedy Space Center is a very popular destination, judging from the waiting lines outside the visitors center. It took us some 40 minutes in the heat, to buy tickets to get inside.

The trip to NASA was both educational and awe-inspiring. Mankind truly thrives in new discoveries.