We had the amazing privilege as a family to see the Artemis II launch in person at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last month. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and an experience we will never forget.
Brent works on the Artemis program, specifically building engines on the Orion spacecraft (the capsule that carries the astronauts). Brent has worked in aerospace for over two decades and this launch and trip truly changed me - in understanding and appreciating his work on a whole new level. He works so hard and we have both made many sacrifices for his career. To be emotionally moved by this project truly changed my life.
Our journey to Florida started in the beginning of the year. The first launch attempt was to take place in February and we were informed that Brent would receive two tickets to see the launch. We decided that this was a big deal and I really wanted the whole family to be able to go. So our initial plan was that if we could not get tickets for our whole family, Brent would take our oldest to the launch and I would find a public place me and the rest of the kids could watch from the beach.
At the time, all the February launch windows were scheduled for the middle of the night. So with most hotels already booked long ahead of time, I found a hotel that was in Melbourne (about an hour down the coast from Kennedy Space Center) that advertised watching launches from their beach front hotel. The plan was I would wake up the kids in the middle of the night and we could walk down to the beach together where likely there would be other hotel staff and guests present to watch the launch. While this was the best case scenario (versus trying to drive or walk somewhere in the middle of the night in a town I had never been to!) it was still quite terrifying to think about. On the beach, in the dark, with my three youngest children. But we were going to make it happen!
And then the launch got delayed. Thankfully our hotel had free changes and cancelation so we just pushed it back. And then we had to do it again for March. Until, thankfully, things started to look promising for an April launch. Once things started looking like the launch was going to happen, public tickets to the launch opened up at the Kennedy Space Center and I was able to get us six tickets!
We decided after months of waiting and trying to figure out what was best for our family - that giving up Brent's work tickets and taking the opportunity to see it together was better for our family. There would be things to do and food to eat at the Kennedy Space Center as well as simply being together. And by April, the launch windows were earlier in the evening, making the launch viewing even easier. It truly all worked out for our family, giving me so much peace and excitement for this incredible opportunity.
We arrived in Florida the day before the launch. It was a long travel day and I was stressed about the long plane ride for the kids. But they did so well and everyone we interacted with were so kind and pleasant. I was reminded that these types of things just get easier as the kids continue to get older.
If the launch was to go as planned the next day, that evening was our only chance to try to see the rocket on the pad. So we drove into Titusville to try to see Artemis as close as we could. Driving around the coast was an experience in itself - there were so many camper vans and RVs lined up, people hanging out with their cameras. There was energy, excitement, and so many people ready to see this moment in history.
We could barely see it but there it was (on the left). It was all becoming more real. From there we headed to our hotel in Melbourne to get to bed as we had an upcoming full day at the Kennedy Space Center.
We were all pretty jet lagged but as soon as our early riser child woke up, we all got up and got going. We stopped to get some breakfast and had an hour drive.
The Kennedy Space Center was incredible. It felt like a space themed museum meets amusement park. There was so much to do and see. It was truly remarkable and we learned so much about space. The experience was so imersive and I am so glad that our older kids are at the age that they will remember and were able to learn so much from this trip.
This Orion replica was so special to look at and Brent got to exlain to us that he builds the boosters (the black circles) on these.
Mid-day the launch viewing areas opened up and we found a space on the grass to save a spot for us to sit. They had a live feed going so we could follow along with the preperations. We then took turns taking the kids to get food and check out the activities while waiting for the countdown.
It was really neat to be able to watch this with a crowd. When the astronauts appeared on screen, people would cheer. It was so special and emotional.
In true Florida fashion, it ended up pouring down rain hard. Lucklily me and the kids stayed dry inside one of the museums. Brent and our blanket were soaking wet!
Once it got close to launch time, we returned to our viewing spot to wait for the big moment. There was still a chance something would happen that would delay the launch so we waited in great excitement and anticipation.
Everyone stood up once it got close and then the countdown began!
It was truly incredible and surreal. I cried. And it was so wild to comprehend that there were people in that rocket going off to space.
Speaking of proud, over the course of the week Brent was interviewed on multiple news stations both in Seattle and Sacramento.
He took a few of these interviews while we were in Florida. He is pictured on the balcony of our hotel room because there was a wedding taking over the lobby area and our kids were having nap time in our room. I laugh seeing this knowing on the other side of that door is blaring white noise, a two year old napping, and children watching a show on the kindle on the bathroom floor.
It is a reflection of Brent and his easy going demeanor. His ability to transition from work to dad and his personal cheering squad always by his side. Balancing work and family is not easy. But how wonderful and bonding it has been to make it work. It takes me back to when we moved from California to Virgina - we have been on this journey together and I am so grateful to be on the receiving end of years of sacrifice and commitment that has brought us to where we are today.
We felt so fortunate that the launch took place on the first day which allowed us to spend the remaining time in Florida as a family vacation. I will share more details of our trip in an upcoming post.
Here is a video from the launch that I took:
And here are the news segments that Brent was in:
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