In Which I'm Early To Rise To Watch Endeavor Fly

Were I allowed, I'd cry into my wine
Tonight, but I'm a shift worker who must
Eschew the alchol ere work. That line
I'm tempted, though, to cross tonight. It's just --
Tonight's the last night shuttle launch, which means
We may not have a chance like this again.
I've watched the shuttle's launches since my teens
(Though often had to cheat to do so when
They went up on a school night). Just five left
All told, and we've got nothing to replace
This program. When it's done we'll be bereft
Of any means to send men into space.
There've been a lot of promises -- hot air
So far. When did we lose our nerve? I care!

All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Today Endeavor finally took off!

A perfect launch that almost made me cry

(But as we know, and yes, you all may scoff

I often seem to have caught in my eye

Particulates at launch time, causing tears).

Today was to be my first meet for drinks

With Sigler, yes, the FDO of fears

Both great and small. But Friday now, methinks

Is when that's to occur. I am content

To wait 'til then. A party's in the works:

Scott Sigler, others too, who will have spent

Some days in Laramie, diligent as clerks

At The Launch Pad, learning space science and

Hobnobbing with Phil Plait and Haldeman.

Safety First: Or Why I Never Bitch When We Call A Hydrogen Halt

Sometimes the smallest things can cause the worst
Of problems, when they leak from where they ought
Rather than vent, controlled - such as the first
Of all the elements. Lest you forgot,
That's Hydrogen, the smallest, simplest one,
But one that can explode with quite a bang
(As when the Hindenburg came quite undone).
I'm glad, therefore, that NASA's ground crew gang
Discovered on Endeavor such a leak
As paused Discovery some months ago
Until all was put right. Yeah it's some streak
Of luck we're having, but it must be so.
Th'alternatives are not to be allowed:
Retreat or tragedy? Not what we've vowed.