A Fond Farewell

STS 131 as I first saw it on 2010 April 2. Now another mission, STS 132 was in its place, and I had seen the process that put it there.
The Australian flag takes pride of place next to the American flag in the Press Center.

Once back at the News Center car park, I took a long wistful look around. With no more events scheduled, and my KSC access badge to expire tomorrow, I knew that I would not be back here.

In front of me was the now empty cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building. Along side, pygmy like, the four story Launch Control Center. Further back was a mobile crawler transporter and the new Aries launch tower.

To the right, at 6 km distance, were four lightning towers of the newly refitted Aries launch pad 39B. To its right, a little closer, was the support structure of Pad 39A all but surrounding the STS 132 stack. I knew that at this very moment six astronauts were climbing aboard Atlantis, even though, at 5 km, they were too far away to see. Indeed, I knew they would be in the white room, and wouldn't be visible even if I were right up at the pad.

Immediately beside me was the famous countdown clock, perched beside the calm waters of the Turn Basin lagoon, waiting for power to be turned on ahead of May's launch of STS 132.

Behind me the empty grey concrete block buildings of the News Center which on weekdays housed the helpful and hardworking public affairs officers. To their right were the NBC, CBS and ABC broadcast studios.

It was with mixed feelings that I finally got into my rental car and drove away. On the four lane highway south I slowed to watch the wildlife and look again at the eagle's nest. With little traffic on a Saturday morning, the birds and other animals came right up to the grassy shoulder of the tarseal.

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