Tuesday, April 17, 2012

A Special Event

Today we had a special event as the space shuttle Discovery made its final flight piggybacked atop a modified Boeing 747 jet.  It flew from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to my neck of the woods, Washington, D.C.  (picture below was posted on Facebook) 
Practically everyone scanned the sky to catch a glimpse of the rare sight, as the jet looped around the entire Capital area before landing at nearby Dulles Airport.  The retired shuttle will get a new home at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.
My co-workers and I watched the 'live feed' of Discovery's landing and couldn't help but be filled with emotion as we saw it touch down for the last time.  While I watched it, I couldn't help but remember many years ago when my family was living in Germany, my class at school took a trip to watch the very first 747 take off.  It was the biggest plane at the time and I remember being in awe of its size and thinking of all the lucky passengers that were on the plane. Needless to say, I was once again in awe as I saw the 'special passenger' that same model plane carried today.    
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27 comments:

  1. BarbaraTue Apr 17, 10:18:00 PM

    Man, I can remember going on a field trip to ride the first 747s and we thought it was just huge! It even had a spiral staircase that went to the upper floor bar!

    I hate to see the space program wind down. No one seems to realize the importance of what they've done.

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  2. AnonymousTue Apr 17, 10:23:00 PM

    It is sad to see this era of space exploration come to an end. I did see a rocket launch once when we were in Melbourne, but it was the middle of the night and I was getting bit up by bugs so we didn't stay out long. I've toured the Space Center but sadly never have seen a launch.

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  3. Millie and WalterTue Apr 17, 10:40:00 PM

    I was lucky enough to see two space shuttle launches many years ago. Sorry to see them all retired.

    Cindy

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  4. ChristineTue Apr 17, 11:09:00 PM

    I would have liked to have seen that. It looks so small in the picture.

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  5. Tweedles -- that's meTue Apr 17, 11:17:00 PM

    What a site to see! We were always in awe when watching tv- in past years, as we watched anything to do with the space shuttles..
    I always thought it to be amazing to see that shuttle being piggybacked by another plane.
    Its amazing just to know an airplane can stay in the air and fly- let alone carry something as big as the shuttle.
    I am glad you all got to see it.]
    love
    tweedles

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  6. Nancy K.Tue Apr 17, 11:17:00 PM

    WOW! One of the many things that makes me absolutely marvel at the ingenuity of mankind.

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  7. TexWisGirlTue Apr 17, 11:34:00 PM

    that is really cool that you got to see it!

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  8. AngusWed Apr 18, 03:40:00 AM

    In the proper sense of the word - Awesome !

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  9. ann @ studiohydeWed Apr 18, 04:10:00 AM

    Now that's what I call Hitchin' A Ride :)

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  10. Bella Roxy & MacduiWed Apr 18, 05:39:00 AM

    incredible sight. All the relos were out witnessing the event. All very excited.

    We saw it on the news here.

    xXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  11. JillWed Apr 18, 06:26:00 AM

    How exciting for you to witness!

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  12. Scrappy Pink CornerWed Apr 18, 06:37:00 AM

    That was a really big deal yesterday and I can't believe I missed it. I remember going to the space center when I was 13 and thought it was so boring, I wanted to go to Disney World. But now that I am older I am glad my Dad made us go. Hope all the dogs are doing well.
    TFS. Ana

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  13. MeggieWed Apr 18, 06:44:00 AM

    Thanks for posting about this important event. I'm still in awe of the size of the shuttle. I don't understand how and why our Space Program is cutting back. It should be very impressive at the Smithsonian.

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  14. 2browndawgsWed Apr 18, 07:43:00 AM

    I wish I could have seen that last flight. A bittersweet day.

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  15. BassetmommaWed Apr 18, 08:10:00 AM

    What an awesome sight! I agree with 2BrownDawgs, bittersweet moment in history!

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  16. KT and EastonWed Apr 18, 09:17:00 AM

    Awesome sight indeed. I was lucky enough to see a piggy-back flight out of Edwards in CA. An interesting tour is the Everett plant the where the 747 was made. 20 minutes north of our Seattle house. I think its still the largest building in the world (volume). They're making mostly 767s and 787 Dreamliners there now.

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  17. tammy jWed Apr 18, 10:22:00 AM

    my gosh. to see it in actual flight. how lucky.
    i am even still amazed at how they re-fuel jets in mid air!
    there will always be magic and a little chill in those words...
    "to boldly go where no man
    has ever gone before!"

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  18. SueWed Apr 18, 11:56:00 AM

    That must have been quite a sight. Lots of memories!

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  19. LindaGWed Apr 18, 12:56:00 PM

    To me, it's sad to close the Space Era. Not sure what President Kennedy would say if he were still here.

    I just hope (and worry) that civilians can pick up like my son thinks they can.

    Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. ♥

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  20. JimWed Apr 18, 06:51:00 PM

    A truly awesome achievement! We have come to just accept this as second hand. Wonder what will be next?

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  21. SharonWed Apr 18, 09:34:00 PM

    That's cool Kim, I didn't see it on fb nice to glimpse of it here! Thanks!

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  22. NanaNor'sWed Apr 18, 11:09:00 PM

    Hi Kim, How incredibly exciting! I loved the photos, wish we could have witnessed it. Hope your week is going well my friend!
    Sending hugs your way.
    Noreen

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  23. CatherineThu Apr 19, 07:50:00 AM

    Cool!
    xo Catherine

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  24. Gill - That British WomanThu Apr 19, 08:22:00 AM

    It was on our news as well. I would have loved to see it close up.

    Gill

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  25. The WitchThu Apr 19, 03:40:00 PM

    Kim,
    What a fantastic day to see and actually have good pictures of the Discovery on it's last journey to it's finally resting place.
    I say fantastic because it brought us such joy but I'm also emotionally sad because it's over.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Larry OstbyThu Apr 19, 07:15:00 PM

    I hope to see an "Enterprise" in our space future. The space shuttle was a grand adventure, sorry to see it go.

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  27. KBFri Apr 20, 12:11:00 AM

    That's very cool! I didn't fully realize that the shuttle was smaller than an airplane until I saw the photo here. An amazing sight...

    My everlasting memory will be when we lost Challenger at the start of the flight.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!

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