As the little graphic on the left denotes, I was a ‘virtual’ guest to today’s SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of Commercial Resupply Mission 22. This is Nasa’s attempt to drum up civilian interest in the current space program. I can’t just take off and drive to the coast to try to watch a launch up close; I’ve tried that a number of times in the past, and every time the launch was scrubbed. Perhaps with SpaceX’s reliability and high launch cadence, I might be able to actually drive over with my wife and truly watch a launch.

I was outside in my front yard with one of my cameras and a long telephoto trying to grab a photo or two, but there was quite a bit of cloud cover to the east, and so I couldn’t. What was more interesting to me was to hear the distant low thunder of the first stage lifting off. I have from time to time, if the cloud cover is just right, been able to hear what I can’t see. Today’s distant rumble was a consolation prize, if you will, of not being able to see the launch. At least I got the opportunity to hear it. What’s more interesting is that I live near Universal Studios south of Orlando, so that was quite the distance for the launch sound to travel.