My memories of Columbia's first launch

[ron777]

I remeber the day in 1981 when the Space Shuttle Columbia first lifted off the launch-pad and into history. I was in the 7th grade in middle school. I was in history class watching this Shuttle blast- off the pad. it was a beautiful sight. We cheered and gave high-fives to each other. Now 22years and 28 missions later Columbia's gone. But She will not be forgotten. GODSPEED COLUMBIA- STS 107.

To boldly go where no one has gone before- Captian James T Kirk (William Shatner)-Star Trek

 

[adamak]

I was in 6th grade, back in my home country. I remember the term "Space Shuttle", since they translate it literally, and it's so refreshing. I kept thinking that's the kind of shuttle I will be taking some day in my life. I remember seeing the pictures, and my dream of flying into space.

After I read about the astronauts' bios, I am willing for them to trade me in for any of those 7 highly accomplished people, with families and young kids. It is sooo unfair for them to die while average joe like me walking around here.

They are true heros.

 

[nkjzmom]

I was only 8 when the Columbia first launched....but I especially remember the third time it went up. We were waiting in the hospital for my baby brother to be born...and as the shuttle launched we could feel and hear it! What an awesome day!

Growing up in Titusville, we watched many, many launches, many of them obviously being Columbia. Some from the river right across from KSC, others from our house. We would climb on top of our monkeybars to try to get a better view. The windows in the houses would shake and rattle. Our beach was always closed around launch times because they would tow the boosters in there. I specifically remember one night launch where we camped out in the back of our pickup truck with sleeping bags and tons of food. It was the most breath-taking thing I've ever seen.

On Saturday I felt like a part of me died right along with the astronauts and Columbia.

 

[ron777]

Wow you guys are lucky. However in 1994 I was at Disney World when the Space Shuttle blasted off. Me and my family were trying to look for it. but we only saw it on TV. Oh well. By the way, thanks for sharing your memories of Columbia with me.

Space, The final frontier, These are the voyage s of the Starship Enterprise, It's ongoing mission, To explore Stange new worlds, To seek out new life, and new civiliations, To boldly go where no man has gone before: Captain James T Kirk (William Shatner)-Star Trek

 

[Grog]

I remember the first flight because it was about six weeks before I graduated High School. My Dad was working at NASA at the time and after STS-4, the crews gave him a framed display with their pics, autographs, crew patches and an American flag that was flown on Columbia, thanking his for his work (he was a film editor and put together the official NASA film on the first four flights). Of all the stuff ( and there was some really cool stuff) from his years at NASA, that was one he was most proud of.