Visitor's Centre
Before witnessing the incredible launch of Endeavour STS-134, we took the time to fully explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Walking through the entrance, we were immediately surrounded by a world dedicated to space exploration.
The towering rockets of the Rocket Garden stood proudly against the sky, reminding us of NASA’s rich history. We wandered through exhibits showcasing past missions, astronaut gear, and full-scale models of historic spacecraft. Seeing the Apollo and Mercury capsules up close made us truly appreciate the engineering and bravery that went into spaceflight.
As part of our visit, we took the NASA Bus Tour, which gave us an up-close look at the space center’s most iconic locations. The tour took us past the legendary Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), a massive structure where shuttles were prepared for launch.
Seeing it in person made us realize the sheer scale of these missions. We also stopped by the Shuttle Launch Pad, where Endeavour was being prepped for its final mission. The sight of the pad, surrounded by infrastructure designed to send astronauts into orbit, filled us with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming launch.
In between stops, we explored interactive displays and even took time to admire the Saturn V rocket inside its dedicated exhibit. The sheer size of it was awe-inspiring—it’s hard to believe that such a massive machine once carried astronauts to the Moon. The kids had a blast posing next to the space suits and checking out the lunar rover on display.
By the time we wrapped up our visit, we felt completely immersed in the world of space exploration. Seeing these historic locations firsthand made the launch of Endeavour STS-134 even more meaningful.
Causeway & Launch Scrub
After our enriching visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, we eagerly made our way to the NASA Causeway, a prime viewing spot for shuttle launches. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as spectators set up their cameras and settled in for the spectacle.
We found a comfortable spot, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts, all sharing stories and excitement about the impending launch of Endeavour on its STS-134 mission.
However, as the countdown progressed, an unexpected announcement informed us that the launch had been scrubbed. Later, we learned that during the pre-launch checks on April 29, 2011, NASA identified an issue with one of Endeavour’s auxiliary power unit (APU) heaters.
These heaters are crucial for maintaining the proper temperature of the APUs, which power the shuttle’s hydraulic systems during ascent and re-entry. The malfunction raised concerns about the APU’s ability to function correctly, leading to the postponement of the launch to ensure the safety of the mission and its crew.
Causeway for 2nd Attempt to Launch Endeavour!
After the previous scrubbed launch, we were determined to try again. This time, we arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor Complex in the middle of the night, joining a crowd of eager spectators waiting for the next attempt.
The excitement was mixed with a sense of patience—we all knew that space launches were unpredictable, but that only made the anticipation even greater. The visitor center at night was an incredible sight, with its brightly lit displays, the Saturn V rocket illuminated against the dark sky, and the NASA insignia glowing proudly at the entrance. It felt surreal to be there, surrounded by history while waiting to witness a piece of it unfold.
After waiting in long but well-organized lines, we finally boarded the NASA buses that would take us to the Causeway for prime launch viewing. The ride through the space center in the dark was strangely peaceful, with occasional glimpses of the towering Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the launch pad in the distance.
Upon arrival at the Causeway, we set up our spot among a sea of chairs, blankets, and tripods. People were bundled up against the cool pre-dawn air, chatting softly while keeping an eye on the countdown clock. The sense of community among the spectators was incredible—everyone was here for the same reason, bound together by our shared excitement.
As dawn began to break, the sky transformed into breathtaking shades of deep orange and soft blue, casting a magical glow over the water. The chill of the morning air was sharp, but the warmth of the rising sun slowly started to take the edge off.
Photographers adjusted their cameras, capturing the spectacular sunrise while keeping one eye on the launch pad. Despite the cold, the energy was unmistakable—this could finally be the moment we had been waiting for. As the minutes ticked down, the excitement became almost tangible. Would Endeavour finally take to the skies?
3 - 2 - 1 - Launch Endeavour!
The Spectacle of Endeavour’s Final Liftoff
As the final seconds of the countdown ticked away, the entire crowd at the Causeway fell into an almost eerie silence, eyes locked onto the distant launch pad. And then, ignition!
A blinding golden fireball erupted beneath Endeavour, instantly turning the gray sky into a backdrop for pure power. The shockwave of sound took a moment to reach us—first a distant crackling, then an earth-shaking roar that grew into a deafening, guttural thunder. The ground trembled beneath our feet, and I could feel the vibrations deep in my chest, a physical reminder of just how powerful this moment was.
As Endeavour soared, the engines burned hotter than the sun, their light reflecting off the surrounding clouds, turning them into fiery cotton. The plume of smoke and steam billowed outward, expanding rapidly, creating an incredible contrast against the morning sky.
Every camera clicked furiously, people gasped and cheered, some simply stood in stunned silence. Within seconds, the shuttle had climbed higher than seemed possible, piercing the cloud cover and leaving behind only a curving trail of white smoke. Just like that, she was gone, but the feeling of witnessing something truly extraordinary would stay with us forever.
