NASA's Atlantis STS-117

Crew members on today's launch aboard the Atlantis STS-117 mission.

Successful Launch!

Future space walkers

Atlantis STS - 117, scheduled for launch this Friday

During our time in Orlando we headed out to tour NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This was an awesome time to go as they were (still are) in the process of preparing for the next shuttle launch. I have to say that this was probably my most favorite part of our whole trip (next to seeing the ocean). We went on a bus tour (being that civilians can not get past a certain point of the secured area on their own) of the entire grounds and facilities. We got to see the launch pad (with the shuttle Atlantis already on the pad being prepped for launch), the pay load clean room facility, the vehicle assembly building and much more. All I can say is WOW.



Here is a picture of the boys with the launch pad in the background.

Here is a picture of a closer look at the launch pad. If you look closely you can see an orange colored tip towards the top middle of the structure. That is the tip of the external fuel tank and the shuttle is attached to it.

This shuttle launch is one to remember for our family as one of the crew members is a former school mate and long time friend of Shaun's. He is Danny Olivas. You can see and learn more about him here http://floridatoday.com/legacy/multimedia/interactivegraphics/space/sts117crew/sts117astronauts.html . Danny and Shaun went to grade school, Jr. high, high school and college together. They graduated from Burges High and attended UTEP together in El Paso.

Anyways, the shuttle is scheduled for a 7:38 pm (eastern) launch time this Friday, the 8th of June. I hope to be able to watch it. I am not sure what that day will bring yet or what we will be doing.