Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch _ STS-106

I travelled to Orlando, Florida with my wife on one of her business trips that just so happened to coincide with a Space Shuttle launch. While she attended meetings and conferred with her associates, I took a trip over to the East coast of Florida to watch my first and only launch of a Space Shuttle before they were retired from space flight.

Crowds of people lined all of the streets in Titusville, FL that provided views of Kennedy Space Center. I found a parking spot at a Walgreens Drug Store and joined the throngs of space enthusiasts awaiting the launch.

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off from launch pad LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center with a crew of seven astronauts for an 11 day, 19 hours flight to supply the International Space Station. Atlantis would return to land safely at Kennedy Space Center at the completion of its mission.

Massive crowds line the streets in Titusville, FL across the Indian River from Kennedy Space Center.
08Sep00 — Massive crowds line the streets in Titusville, FL across the Indian River from Kennedy Space Center. 08Sep00

First signs of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis appear on the horizon.
08Sep00 — First signs of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis appear on the horizon. 08Sep00

Space Shuttle Atlantis rocket plume comes into view. The sound of the launch has yet to reach us across the Indian River.
08Sep00 — Space Shuttle Atlantis rocket plume comes into view. The sound of the launch has yet to reach us across the Indian River. 08Sep00

Crowds of space enthusiasts enjoying the sight of Space Shuttle Atlantis lifting off.
08Sep00 — Crowds of space enthusiasts enjoying the sight of Space Shuttle Atlantis lifting off. 08Sep00

It was at about this point into the launch that the sound from the rising Atlantis crossed the distance between us and the launch pad and we could hear its deep rumble.
08Sep00 — It was at about this point into the launch that the sound from the rising Atlantis crossed the distance between us and the launch pad and we could hear its deep rumble. 08Sep00

Soaring majestically into the sky is Space Shuttle Atlantis.
08Sep00 — Soaring majestically into the sky is Space Shuttle Atlantis. 08Sep00

It was quite amazing to watch the Space Shuttle Atlantis slowly, but surely gain altitude as it headed for Space.
08Sep00 — It was quite amazing to watch the Space Shuttle Atlantis slowly, but surely gain altitude as it headed for Space. 08Sep00

Space Shuttle Atlantis is so high now that I can no longer include the ground in my shots.
08Sep00 — Space Shuttle Atlantis is so high now that I can no longer include the ground in my shots. 08Sep00

The smoke trail of Space Shuttle Atlantis is so high it begins to cast a shadow.
08Sep00 — The smoke trail of Space Shuttle Atlantis is so high it begins to cast a shadow. 08Sep00

Space Shuttle Atlantis continues down range and is soon to be too far away to see.
08Sep00 — Space Shuttle Atlantis continues down range and is soon to be too far away to see. 08Sep00

All that is left behind is this slow moving rocket smoke trail.
08Sep00 — All that is left behind is this slow moving rocket smoke trail. 08Sep00

Impressive shadow developing from the smoke trail.
08Sep00 — Impressive shadow developing from the smoke trail. 08Sep00

Space Shuttle Atlantis smoke trail.
08Sep00 — Space Shuttle Atlantis smoke trail. 08Sep00

With the foreground in view, you can see just how large the smoke plume is from the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch.
08Sep00 — With the foreground in view, you can see just how large the smoke plume is from the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch. 08Sep00

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch _ STS-106

Winston Salem Airshow_2009