Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!ames!pacbell!att!codas!ablnc!rcpilz
From: rcpilz@ablnc.ATT.COM (Robert C. Pilz)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: View of Discovery Launch
Keywords: Discovery Launch
Message-ID: <690@ablnc.ATT.COM>
Date: 13 Mar 89 18:08:18 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Maitland, Florida
Lines: 26


The view of the launch of Discovery at 9:58 AM (EST) was great. The
launch seemed very smooth. The weather has been improving day-by-day
over the past week. The sun burned off the fog and low lying clouds
which caused the delay from 8:07AM. There was a concern about possible
wind. (If there were any wind there would not have been any fog, you
figure?) At approx 35 miles due West (our location in Maitland FL)
there was no detectable wind at all. The lakes were as still as
glass. 
At the time of the launch, things were very clear, no clouds or
fog visible anywhere. I was able to listen in another employee's
mini radio and watched for the solid booster separation. I felt
easy after that point. I could see little points of light falling
away from the shuttle, slowly. The smoke trail from the launch
stayed in the sky for a good 45 minutes.
The launch looked smaller because they were moving Eastward rather
than in a Northeastern direction as they did on the previous launch.
But it was a good, smooth looking launch. 
I'll have to take my kids to see one close up, soon. My Daughter
(Andrea 3yrs) saw the launch from home. (Casselberry, about 7 miles
closer.) She was excited about seeing "the shuttle go up into the sky."
All I can say is, if you can make it, visit Florida and see one
for yourselves! If you need information, let me know, I can get you
addresses of KSC. Or you can visit one of the local towns such
as Cocoa Beach and view it from there.
Enjoy!