STS-121, Discovery on the launch pad 39B and set to launch on July 1st, 2006.

And I’m planning on being there for the launch!
A good friend, “Phideux”, and I will be making a trip to the Kennedy Space Center to watch the launch. Hopefully it will launch on schedule. I’ve ordered our tickets and we’ll be able to view the launch at the Vistors Complex, approximately 6 miles from the launch pad. Worst case, it doesn’t launch while we are there so we’ll just tour KSC then head over to Walt Disney World for a couple days.

Not only will this be my first space shuttle launch, the cargo carried by STS-121 is significant. Discovery will carry the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Leonardo which will be installed onto the International Space Station. In January 2000 during a vacation to KSC, I watched the Leonardo module being constructed. Over 6 years, a couple major accidents, and countless hours have elapsed. Now finally all the hard work is about to pay off.

There is of course a reasonable chance that the mission will be delayed. But…. well there is ALWAYS Disney World. And I can always have my nephew launch one of his rockets. (Example right)