Launch Dress Rehearsal Concludes

Image above: With the final launch rehearsal completed, the STS-115 crew gathers on the 215-foot level of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39B. From left are Pilot Christopher Ferguson, Mission Specialists Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Joseph Tanner, Commander Brent Jett, and Mission Specialists Steven MacLean and Daniel Burbank. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

Mission STS-115 training exercises culminated last week in Florida with a launch dress rehearsal and simulated countdown with the look and feel of a real launch day. The astronauts suited up in their familiar bright-orange launch and entry suits before leaving for the launch pad aboard the "Astrovan," just as they will on launch day. At the pad, they were strapped in their seats aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis as the launch team took them through the mock countdown.

It's scheduled for August 27th. Oh man! I want to go in the worst way. But I work that day. Any of my F/A buds want to pick it up for me? It's on the swap board. F2059. One leg on the 26th and 4 on the 27th.

Well, my plan is simple. See the south. I've wanted to visit Kennedy Space Center all my life. I also want to get a taste for the south. I'm hoping to end my trip on the 27th and fly to either Florida or Alabama for a few days. It's nice having these flight benefits and I want to use them while I can.
Michael figured out how much our little Maui trip would have cost if we didn't get to fly free. Round trip from SFO to Maui is $1600.00 per person and our room was supposed to be $525.00 per night! Dang! No wonder people looked at us funny when we said we were only there for two days.

Wish me luck on the Shuttle thing. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll pospone it a day or two. Remember First Officer Gasik? He has a house in Orlando he's trying to sell. He said I could stay there for free if I wanted. Nice, huh?