[dhoward]

Had an in-law who was a back-up mission specialist for whichever mission was the first night launch. Once he found out he wasn't going, I booked down there with my trusty F3. and a 600mm mirror. Watched from the NASA VIP area. Lit up the sky, and you could feel the heat from several miles away. Very cool. Then we went to a launch party. There are astronaut groupies.
I think those pics are still at my ex's...