On 3/12/2015 7:58 PM, Josephine Grahn wrote:
We planned on getting there an hour ahead of time, but left 15 minutes late. We were within 3 miles at 8:45, and had a parking space in the overflow by about 9:05 to 9:10. The shuttles were not doing well, so we walked to a very good spot along the road, and had a great view of the burn. Next time, I’ll give us 90 minutes before the burn….unless I see more news stories, in which case, I’d go even earlier. (Just a data point for future plans.) And it was funny, on both Siegfried’s (much ber, higher resolution) film, and mine, someone said “Wait for it!” in the period between the burn starting, and the blast/noise hitting us. It is worth seeing, at least once, because who doesn’t enjoy big noisy explosions, fire, and clouds of smoke rising in the bright morning sky?!
I was fortunate to be able to watch a night shuttle launch a number of years ago. Also, fortunate to be in the VIP area, 5 miles across the bay. That is the closest point the public had access to. I think the general public area was at 7 miles. Even from 5 miles, the shock wave and noise were impressive. I also am a member of UROC (Utah Rocket Club). It is kinda humbling to think of one of the largest motors we are permitted to fly, is somewhat akin to the initiator, which fires up the igniter, which in turn blows fire the length of the booster motor at start up. 73