Brings a Tear to my Eye (Score 2, Interesting)

I used to work on that launch project, Sea Launch. It was alot of hard work, but it was also alot of fun. http://www.sea-launch.com/ Novel to follow: For three to four weeks at a time we would put to sea, with the rocket resting peacefully in the hangar. During the one and a half week trip to the equator from Long Beach the crew would spend the time performing launch rehearsals and verifying their system readiness to support the launch. Needless to say there was plenty of time for recreation. Basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and spin classes in the cargo hold followed by poker and darts in the bar. But nothing beats launch day! You have been preparing for this day for the past three months. You have spent countless hours double-checking your launch procedure and launch support equipment. At L minus one hour it starts to get real intense. I take my usual position in front of the RF tracking station after launching the final weather balloon to check upper atmospheric winds. I watch my spectrum analyzers and AGC levels to ensure maximum signal quality. You take one final look over your shoulder at the rocket standing 6 kilometers away on the Launch Platform. Then the final countdown; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Launch! I see the position change in the signal and I engage autotrack, my fingers poised above the handwheels ready to take over should the autotrack fail. Finally the sound hits the ship and you see the equipment rack light up in this bright orange-yellow light, but you cannot look away from the antenna control. The next three minutes of telemetry data rest solely on your shoulders. Finally the call comes over the net, TDRS has picked up the signal; data recorders are switched to the NASA feed and you relax knowing that you job is done. You stow the antenna and secure your position before signing off the net to go party with the crew on the weather deck. And then there is the sail home, one week of the most absolute boredom you can ever experience. I read all 5 Harry Potter books in an row, twice, because I needed something to do. But eventually that passes and you hear that call of Catalina Island off of the starboard bow. Seeing the smog of LA is one of the sweetest sights of that whole trip. You take a couple of days to get to know your family again, and then do it all over again. Justin Miles Former Sea Launch RF Technician