Cape Canaveral, Florida: Population = 10,569, elevation = 10 feet, average January low temp = 51.0, Average July high temp = 90, average sunny days = 240, annual snowfall = 0”, annual rainfall = 51.7”, air quality index = 72.9, water quality index = 60, comfort index = 30, median age of residents = 49.4
I am using Cape Canaveral as a sort of “average” of where we spent our time. Cape Canaveral lies between Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center. We slept and had a couple of meals in Cocoa Beach, but we spent most of our time at the Space Center. While we were in Savannah, we found out that there was going to be a launch at the Cape so, this being a Bucket List item, we had to see it.
There is so much to see at the Space Center, it is hard to organize it into some sort logical order. Let’s say they want to launch a satellite into orbit. How do they do that? The first step is to assemble the rocket stages and payload in the Vertical Assembly Building. This is the largest single story building in the world. It stands 526 feet high by 716 feet long by 518 feet wide. Each of the stripes of the flag painted on the side is 9 feet wide. It is so big inside, they actually get clouds in it on humid days.
Once the rocket is assembled, it is loaded onto the Crawler-Transporter for the trip to the launch pad. This monster weights about 6 million pounds, and will carry up to 18 million pounds. It can carry a rocket at a blistering 1 MPH, perfectly level while climbing a 5% grade, burning 125 gallons per mile for the 5 mile trip.
After the rocket is secured on the launch pad, the final preparations and checks are made and the fuel tanks are filled. Pure liquid oxygen and hydrogen combine for the intense power. Notice the water tower in the photo. At ignition, the rockets are so loud that the sound waves reflecting back up would destroy the sensitive equipment and kill the astronauts. To lessen the sound waves, all 400,000 gallons of water in the tower is splashed onto the launch pad in just 30 seconds.
Launch Control at Kennedy Space Center is in charge of the rocket for only part of the liftoff. Once it gains altitude, Mission Control in Houston takes over.
Here is some of the space hardware on display, up close and personal:
If you are ever in the area, stop in and see the Kennedy Space Center. Even if you are not the all-out space geek that I am, the park is still very impressive. The shows and displays are dramatic, the hardware is jaw-dropping enormous, the history is awesome.
Next up: Panama City Beach, Florida