After the SpaceX CRS19 launch to send the Dragon Spacecraft to the International Space Station, we had an impromptu podcast as soon as we got off the podcast with some of the remaining NASA Social peeps. Unfortunately, due to the nature of launching rockets, the launch on Wednesday was scrubbed for Thursday and some of the amazing people on this trip had to return home.
But, with those remaining, we had the chance to share our reactions post-launch which is really cool considering for most of us it was our first launch! Hear what we all had to say and learn where you can follow these amazing people online!
JACK PHAN @JackPhan TERESA MOON @teresamoon3 ANDREW CANTINO @tectonic orbitalindex.com ERIN VEST @swordandsnore CHRISTINA ROWLAND @stinaeroland ANDREW PRESSLEY @yoandrewp ELENA SALAZAR @elenacsalazar ZAC HALL @apollozac 9to5mac.com HALEY HARRISON @__Stellaaaar SUSAN MALLETT @sbmallett @capaerospace ANGELA DiLORETO @AngelaMDiLoreto VICTORIA HEATH @planetarynomad @victoria_heath7 CHRIS EDENS @guywithgolden guywithgolden.com KATE MORGAN @katebomb CHARLES ATKEISON @military_flight AVGEEKERY.COM MARY KIMBALL @str8outtanaptym thescenesnobs.com STEPHEN MARR @spacecoast_stve spacecoaststeve.com
What I hope you take away from this is two things:
1. That ANYONE can be into space, no matter your background or interest in space. If you are even a little but intrigued by the infinite expanse of space or seeing an insanely powerful rocket launch off the Earth and into space - there's a place for you! And I highly recommend finding your way to the Space Coast or another launch site to see one for yourself. Sign up for alert for NASA Social to apply to get access to do so in the future! All you need is a social media account!
2. Your first rocket launch in person will knock your socks off. Everyone, including myself, that saw their first launch was basically speechless afterwards. There is so much about a rocket launch that you can't even grasp without feeling it. The slow increasing rumble of the rockets that crescendoes to a loud roar, shaking everything around you. The intense brightness of the rocket flames as they push the rocket out of gravity's influence and into space, which is NEVER shown in its true view in video or pictures.
If you ever go to see a rocket launch in person for the first time - please reach out and let me know if you felt anything like this afterwards.
A big thank you to NASA Social for selecting me for this opportunity. It was mind bending and now I'm hooked and can't wait to do another in the future.
Huge thanks to everyone who jumped on the podcast and shared their reactions!
So great meeting all of you including those who had to leave after the first launch scrubbed. To say I had a great time is an understatement!
