As you may know from our social media channels, some of the CosmoQuest team got to attend the OSIRIS-REx launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week. This is part 2 of several reporting on our trip!

In the NASA press building, we met up with Fraser Cain of Universe Today, his wife Karla (who is a photographer), Chad Weber (Fraser’s video producer), and Dr. Matthew Francis (space journalist and head of our CosmoAcademy). We boarded the buses that were to take us out to the causeway across the water from the launchpad. Once aboard the bus, Fraser started recording one of his Guide to Space videos, about the OSIRIS-REx mission and it’s goals.

Dr. Matthew Francis, Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay on bus to press viewing site. Credit: Susie Murph

He interviewed Matthew and Pamela about various parts of the spacecraft and mission, while Chad filmed and I took photos behind the scenes. Matthew described how the spacecraft will take 2 years to reach the asteroid Bennu, retrieve a sample, and return to Earth 7 years after launch. Pamela discussed what the mission will learn, and how CosmoQuest will be assisting in analyzing the data by utilizing our Citizen Science applications. The discussion quickly ended when we arrived at the causeway – ready to set up our cameras for the launch!

We arrived across the water, with a gorgeous view of both the OSIRIS-REx launch pad and the damaged launch pad from the SpaceX explosion the week before. With an hour to go, everyone set up cameras, took background photos, and set up their views for the launch. Speakers were set up so we could hear Mission Control’s regular announcements of the various preflight checks that the engineers were going through on the spacecraft. With every milestone, the mood on the causeway grew more and more excited.

Karla Cain and Pamela Gay, with cameras ready for launch! Credit: Susie Murph

As the late evening sun cast beautiful light onto the launch area, we waited eagerly, listening to the final minutes of preparation. Each significant flight check drew cheers from the journalists, until the final few minutes, where we grew quiet with anticipation. Hearing confirmation of the spacecraft switching to internal power got a brief cheer, then we hushed quickly to hear the rest of the check-offs.

Press, including Fraser Cain, setting up to view OSIRIS-REx launch at KSC. Credit: Susie Murph

Finally, it was time for the final countdown. We readied our cameras, and eagerly turned towards the launch pad. We chanted the final “3, 2, 1, Liftoff!” with the speaker. Then everyone fell silent as we all watched for the first burst of flames from the solid rocket engines. Slowly, we saw a glow, and the spacecraft lifted off the tower. This first movement was silent, as the sound had not yet reached us yet. It was probably 20-30 seconds or more before we finally heard and felt the roar of the blast, the crackly-rumble that radiated through your chest and head. It was awe-inspiring and incredible to see, hear and feel the raw power required to blast away from Earth’s gravity. The setting sun reflected golden light off the rocket and the trail of clouds left behind as it arced away, clearly in view until nearly first stage separation.

Flawless launch of the OSIRIS-REx mission rocket! Credit: Susie Murph

Soon there was only the trail left, and the NASA handlers asked us to start packing up. They wanted to return us to the Press Center, to await the after-launch press conference. As we boarded the bus, all of the journalists began sharing their photos and videos of the launch, and we all agreed that the launch had been absolutely perfect. This was confirmed by Mission Control, that it had been an absolutely flawless, gorgeous launch. OSIRIS-REx was off, on it’s mission to Bennu!

Here you can enjoy Fraser’s experience of the trip to Kennedy Space Center and the launch of OSIRIS-REx!