Delta 4 Heavy

© 2010 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved


My husband has been in the rocket launch business for years. He has launched almost everything that goes into outer space and he's got hands-on experience as a member of the last all "Blue Suit" launch team. "Blue Suit" meaning all U.S. Air Force. He has launched Thors, Atlases, Deltas, etc., mated a few satellites into the Space Shuttle; basically, done it all. This particular rocket he was a back-up guy for Danny. A little technical problem prevented it from launching on Friday evening, but they got that straightened out.


© 2010 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved


For the first time, we left our backyard and went to watch the launch within six or seven miles (as the crow flies) of the actual launch pad. We were there for the first try on Friday, but to no avail. We went back on Sunday and watched as it lit up, and took a slow crawl into the sky. It went up without a hitch (as far as I know), but not quietly. The sound made some of us whoop and it just rumbled. It rumbles at our house, too, but not like this. As we watched it go up I hoped things worked properly, because I have seen enough not make it to know that it would not be a good thing if something happened.


© 2010 Linda McKinney All Rights Reserved

Nothing matches the feel of watching something that big and lumbering go into the sky. It makes one proud of being American to see that thing go up, to know that we made that happen. We have the technology to do such a thing, to make the satellites that fly on these lumbering behemoths, and the ability to do what few others can. My husband is part of that team. America's in safe hands.