... get it! Space. Lots of space!
I woke up this morning as happy as a kid at Christmas. As excited as a Jewish kid at Hanukkah. As elated as an African kid at Kwanzaa! You get the picture, I was excited, because we were going to spend the day at the Houston Space Centre.
Upon entering Laura and I headed straight for the Tram Tour. After a short wait in line we boarded the Tram and headed for the first stop; 'Historic Mission Control'. That's right, we were in THE mission control that actual NASA actually used for actual missions between the '60s and the 90's. Yes ladies and gentlemen I can now say that I have been in the room that heard such historical moments as Apollo 13's "Houston, we have a problem", and of course Apollo 11's "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". I couldn't believe it. It was very humbling, and a great privilege to be in the same room as those who only 46 years ago operated the greatest achievement in the history of humanity; landing on the moon.
Our next stop was the Space Vehicle Mock-Up Facility. This is where the astronauts train on replica space equipment to familiarise themselves before dealing with the real thing. This too is where they prototype and develop new equipment, including Robonaut one of the most advanced pieces of robotics ever created. Dextrous enough to turn the pages of a book, and currently assisting on the International Space Station as I write.
Finally we got to step inside the hanger that holds one of three remaining Saturn V rockets. The very rocket that all the Apollo missions used. I have never seen a machine that big. It was the grandest piece of hardware I have ever laid my eyes on. What a sight to behold.
The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around the Space Centre awe stuck, before finally heading out to have one last look at the space shuttle piggy-backing 747.
One last bit of excitement to end the day. We found a little diner called 'T-Bone Toms'. I don't think you could have gotten more Texas if you tried. Laura has ribs with slaw and mac n' cheese, while I ordered brisket (not knowing what the hell a brisket was) with a side of beans and corn! Turns out a brisket is essentially a BBQed rump, sliced and smothered in sauce. With the key lime and pecan pie to finish us off we both feel that Houston has treated us pretty right. Ye Haw!
This space suit has actually walked on the actual moon!
Also Laura saw a squirrel and got more excited about that than anything in the space centre!
Labels: America 2015
