Future Astronaut Will, suited up with me at the KSC Visitor’s Center

If you ever had any doubts about the power of the space program to inspire, they would have completely evaporated these past few days at the KSC Visitor’s Center, where I gave a number of talks at The Astronaut Encounter (http://tinyurl.com/25dn9ko). My own passion for space began at age 5, growing up in the shadow of Apollo and my father’s work on the program. Although our present day Space Shuttle is about to retire and the path ahead for human spaceflight is less than clear, Americans will continue to fly into space on one vehicle or another — and a new generation of young explorers is watching and waiting for their turn. My little friend Will (pictured above, and coincidentally a 5 year old), came with his parents to hear me speak, fully decked out in his space suit. Go for launch!

Prior to each of my presentations at the Astronaut Encounter theater, a beautiful film that highlights NASA’s 50 years of achievement (as well as the painful losses of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia) is screened. The film closes with a quote from our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. He described my philosophy on the good life with a clarity I’d never be able to muster:

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” 

Exactly, what he said. Period.

It was great to be back at the Cape, and to work with the fine folks at the Visitor’s Center. Nick, Livia, Jon and many other staff members took great care of me, and will host you well should you make a trip of your own. And I suggest you do so, ideally in time to see one of our final Space Shuttle launches…

It's a rare day when I feel short, but even on tiptoes my 6'3" frame was overshadowed by these KSC visitors from Holland! I sure hope that Wendy "Too Short" Lawrence never sees this photo...

As I was headed down to dinner on my final night in Cocoa Beach, a very familiar face boarded the elevator. “Al? Hi, my name’s Scott Parazynski, you may not remember me, but I think you’re taking over from me as the Duty Astro at KSC tomorrow!” Al Worden (http://www.alworden.com/), Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot and larger-than-life hero, was right down the hall from me in the hotel! It was a thrill to speak with him briefly, and thus “pass the microphone.” He was headed out to visit the legendary but severely ailing Guenter Wendt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guenter_Wendt), former Pad Leader for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Prayers for comfort going out to Mr. Wendt and his family in this difficult time…