Juno Launch in Florida

This summer I didn't get to go home for a week like I usually do for my birthday because I used up all my vacation days for the launch of the Juno spacecraft, which I worked on for three years of my four years at JPL.  I met Dad, Mom, and Derek in Orlando on August 3rd, with the launch scheduled for the 5th.  The launch window was the 5th through the 26th, so we were hoping it would launch on the first day.

Florida was hot and humid.  Very hot and humid.  As soon as we got to Florida, we rented a car (a Nissan Cube), found our hotel, and got dinner.  Then we had to figure out exactly where to go the next day to get our launch tickets, so we didn't get to explore much or relax.  On the 4th, we got to the Kennedy Space Center in the morning.

We're at KSC!

We had to check in to get our launch tickets, which we did, and then spent the rest of the day exploring KSC.  It has an area that is clearly influenced by Disney World, where you can play video games revolving around trying to land a spacecraft and even ride in a spacecraft simulator, where you can feel what its like to be in a shuttle during launch.  The whole place is pretty awesome if you are into spaceflight.  There is a rocket garden where real rockets are on display (they aren't models, they are actual rockets).  We tried to see as much as possible, even though it was 95 degrees out and 95% humidity.  

Juno spacecraft model at the mission briefing

In the afternoon they had a mission briefing for people who were associated with Juno.  It was nice to go to a presentation where they talk about all the effort that goes into something like Juno, and hear the project leaders talk about the engineering and science that drives the mission.  It is definitely something I won't forget.  That night, Derek, Dad and I walked down to the beach to check it out since our hotel was so close to it.  Its always good to see the ocean.  :)

Mom in a rocket pod in the rocket garden at KSC

The next day was launch day!  And also hot and humid!  We waited in a super long line to get on the buses (lots and lots of buses) to go to the launch viewing area, which is about 5 miles away from the rocket (close enough for me!).  

Our family waiting in line for launch!

They had a full size saturn V rocket there to look at while we waited.  Eventually, we moved to the bleachers where you can get a good video of the rocket.  Again, it was hot and humid and we were standing outside.  

Dad, Derek and I waiting for Juno to launch

Clouds were very welcome when they moved overhead.  There were a few issues once the launch window opened for the day, including unauthorized boaters in the way, so we had to wait about 45 minutes.  Every time there was an announcement, everyone got quiet to hear if it sounded like it would launch that day or not.  For awhile we were nervous because the engineers wanted to push it right to the end of the launch window to make sure one of their cryo issues was okay.  Finally, they announced everything was good to go (this was cool...they have a checklist, and they broadcast each of the checklist items getting a Go from the lead person in charge)!!!  

Juno going to Jupiter!

The launch was amazing.  I'm glad we got to go see it, because not everyone gets an opportunity to see a rocket launch into space, never mind WORK on one!  The idea that hardware I worked on and touched was on its way to Jupiter was pretty unbelievable.  Its really loud, and a really deep noise that keeps getting louder, to the point where you kind of hope it will stop getting louder.  And the light from the rocket fuel hurts your eyes...everyone wore sunglasses.  The whole thing was incredible.  

Right after the rocket left, we got back on the buses and got dropped off at KSC.  We met up with some other Juno MWR people to talk about launch and get lunch.  One of the scientists for MWR was showing us real time temperature data of the antennas on his iphone while we were eating lunch.  Unbelievable.

That afternoon our family went on a celebratory beach run in the heat and humidity.  Running on flat is very different from the mountains, but the ocean is awesome.  We also did some bodysurfing and relaxed for the afternoon!

Cape Canaveral National Seashore

Our next Florida adventure item was to visit the Cape Canaveral National Seashore.  When we got there, we went to visitor center and found out the mosquitos were extremely aggressive.  So now its hot and humid and there are attack mosquitos.  We tried to go on a boardwalk through the marsh/forest, but Derek and I gave up after enough mosquito bites and turned it into a run.  Mosquitoes don't fly that fast, so you don't have to run too fast to stay ahead of them.  Dad and Mom somehow didn't mind and kept walking.  We decided to go on a scenic nature drive (yes it was hot/humid/mosquito-y enough OUR faimly went on a DRIVE, not a hike or run or bike).  Mostly we saw big spiders and birds, but it was pretty cool.  We did walk a little bit to some lookout areas, and the heat didn't kill us.  Lunch was at this cool little restaurant in the middle of nowhere, that made american style home cooked food.  By the time we got back, we were ready for evening bodysurfing.  :)

On Sunday, we went to church across the street from the hotel just to see what it was like and sing church music.  Dad made a plan for us to go visit his cousins and aunt in Melbourne, so we ran out of church and drove down to see them.  Aunt Opal is 94 and still lives on her own and seems perfectly healthy.  Its pretty awesome.  She cooked us a great meal and had the nearby relatives come visit, so we could catch up on everyone's lives (I think the last time I saw most of these people I was about 7).  It was a good day with good company and good conversation.  They were excited to know someone they knew worked on one of the spacecraft they watch launch from their back porch.  Seeing extended family, even if you don't see them often or know them super well, is really cool and I'm glad we got to stop by!

Florida relatives family photo

The next day there were lots of thunderstorms, so we explored restaurants and Coco Beach.  We still went bodysurfing and discovered that there are skates in the water, not sharks (well, probably sharks too but I didn't step on one of those).   The hotel pool was nice too, but at the end of our swim they closed it due to the weather.  It was a nice relaxing day consisting of family running, bodysurfing, swimming in the pool, and eating.

Yay surfing!

On our last day in Florida, we rented longboards.  I hadn't been on a longboard since surf lessons with JPL people in 2007.  Surprisingly, Derek and I had pretty much no problem riding waves.  Its a nice way to enjoy small surf.  Its fun to try something new and not have to worry about everything that goes with bodyboarding.  Its nice to just enjoy it and not care about improving or big waves or wiping out or anything...just enjoying a morning at the beach.  Unfortunately, we had to return the boards and get to the airport so I could catch my flight back to LA (it takes a lot longer to get to LA than CT).

Returning the longboards...goodbye Florida!

Florida was an awesome vacation, even if it was hot.  Juno launched, I got to hang out with my family, go running with all four of us, eat lots of food, and spend almost every day riding waves.  Yup, pretty awesome!

The flight back to LA...big thunderstorms!