In July, the Mars Pathfinder will land on Mars at the mouth of an ancient outflow channel called Ares Vallis, near the site of the 1976 Viking 1 Lander. Upon landing, the Pathfinder will open up and allow a six-wheeled robotic rover to drive out and begin exploring the Martian terrain. This small, 22-pound rover will be the first rover ever to explore the surface of Mars, sending back thousands of images never before seen of the Martian landscape.
On December 4, 1996, with support from Washington NASA Space Grant and other sources, teacher Fran O'Rourke and eight of her students and their parents were on hand to witness the historic launch of the Pathfinder from the Kennedy Space Center. Awestruck, they watched as the Pathfinder was launched aboard a Delta rocket. The following is the first-hand account from four fifth-graders at Cedar Wood Elementary.
December 2nd was the official launch date of the Delta 2 rocket. It was scrubbed (delayed) due to a hurricane passing through Texas. The storm was going to hit Florida at the same time the rocket was to be launched.
December 3rd, the launch was scrubbed again due to difficulties in the ground computers.
On the 4th, the rocket was launched!
At Jetty Park, where we viewed the launch, it was pitch black and the only light was the rusty orange moon, the shooting stars and the blue and white glowing rocket on the launchpad. Standing with us, our teacher and our parents, were Brian Cooper, who will drive the Pathfinder rover in July, Dr. Edgett, who provides education for teachers, Dr. Joy Crisp, a geologist, Dr. Dave Crisp, a meteorologist, and other scientists and engineers from NASA's JPL.
We were all excitingly waiting for the launch.
Suddenly, a blinding light and a booming sound filled Jetty Park! Cheers filled the air as the Delta II curved and sailed towards the moon. Halfway to the moon, the rocket boosters were released. They looked like sparkling stars falling from the Delta rocket. The rocket continued on and as it tore through the atmosphere, it looked like it was going right over the middle of the moon. All you could see was a bright dot fade into the darkness."
Fran O'Rourke- Hartman and her students see the Pathfinder launch!
Hello everyone and happy Holidays,
Well, we are back to Earth, after no sleep and a breathtaking view of the launch. Because of the delays, there was very little sleep on the trip. Then having students along, we had to do Disney World, Epcot, etc., so it has taken me a while to catch up.
The launch was unreal. Ken Edgett is right-- do try and attend one. We were treated like Kings and Queens. The tour of Kennedy Space Center was great. We got to go on the space shuttle runway, to the launch pad, and see many behind-the-scenes things. Of course, many scientists and engineers were there to help with explanations and talk to students.
Brian Cooper, the rover driver, spent the day at Disney World with my students. We all had great fun and learned about the new rover in the works. It is about the size of a Match Box car. Dr. Joy Crisp and her husband Dr. Dave Crisp have agreed to work on a children's book with my students. We sent it to publishers in January (it's cool).
Howard Eisen (rover designer) brought a mockup of the rover and pulled it out to play with the students. Great fun for everyone. Parents who attended were in awe, kids were so excited, and I will never forget the whole thing. Oh, we spent several evenings with Peter Smith, (IMP camera-lead) and got some inside news about what's next.
My students were treated as equals and learned so much. We went to the VIP viewing area the first night. It was actually north of the rocket. Then Brian, Ken and Peter walked us into Jetty Park. Much better, not to mention: that's where all the folks from JPL were. The rocket seemed to go over our heads. As I look at photos of when the rocket took off, it became so bright that my kids in class asked if it was daytime. Below is a newspaper article the kids wrote. Much more is being done in Arizona by a former student. As I get copies I'll post them as well.
Again, Happy Holidays all
Fran
Hello everyone and happy Holidays,
Well, we are back to Earth, after no sleep and a breathtaking view of the launch. Because of the delays, there was very little sleep on the trip. Then having students along, we had to do Disney World, Epcot, etc., so it has taken me a while to catch up.
The launch was unreal. Ken Edgett is right-- do try and attend one. We were treated like Kings and Queens. The tour of Kennedy Space Center was great. We got to go on the space shuttle runway, to the launch pad, and see many behind-the-scenes things. Of course, many scientists and engineers were there to help with explanations and talk to students.
Brian Cooper, the rover driver, spent the day at Disney World with my students. We all had great fun and learned about the new rover in the works. It is about the size of a Match Box car. Dr. Joy Crisp and her husband Dr. Dave Crisp have agreed to work on a children's book with my students. We sent it to publishers in January (it's cool).
Howard Eisen (rover designer) brought a mockup of the rover and pulled it out to play with the students. Great fun for everyone. Parents who attended were in awe, kids were so excited, and I will never forget the whole thing. Oh, we spent several evenings with Peter Smith, (IMP camera-lead) and got some inside news about what's next.
My students were treated as equals and learned so much. We went to the VIP viewing area the first night. It was actually north of the rocket. Then Brian, Ken and Peter walked us into Jetty Park. Much better, not to mention: that's where all the folks from JPL were. The rocket seemed to go over our heads. As I look at photos of when the rocket took off, it became so bright that my kids in class asked if it was daytime. Below is a newspaper article the kids wrote. Much more is being done in Arizona by a former student. As I get copies I'll post them as well.
Again, Happy Holidays all
Fran
Newspaper article written by students
To Infinity and Beyond
By:Jenny, Katie, Lindsey & Maggie
5th graders in Ms. O'Rourke's Class Cedar Wood Elementary
December 2nd was the official launch date of the Delta 2 rocket. It was delayed (scrubbed) due to a hurricane passing through Texas. It was going to hit Florida the same time as the rocket was to be launched.
December 3rd the launch was scrubbed again for difficulties on the ground computers. On the 4th it launched! This is our point of view of what happened on launch night:
It was pitch black and the only light at Jetty Park (where we viewed the launch) was the rusty orange moon, the shooting stars and the blue and white glowing rocket on the launchpad. Along with us, our teacher Fran O'Rourke and our parents at Jetty Park were Brian Cooper (the rover driver), Dr. Edgett (provides education for teachers), Dr. Joy Crisp (geologist), Dr. Dave Crisp (works with weather) and other scientists and engineers from NASA's JPL who were excitingly waiting for the launch.
Suddenly a blinding light and a booming sound filled Jetty Park while cheers filled the air as the Delta II curved and sailed towards the moon. Half way to the moon the rocket boosters were released and looked like sparkling stars as they fell from the Delta rocket. The rocket continued on and looked like it was going right over the middle of the moon as it tore through the atmosphere. All you could see was a bright dot fade into the darkness. The sight was too amazing to describe. When it was all said and done we all agreed it was an experience we will never forget.
By:Jenny, Katie, Lindsey & Maggie
5th graders in Ms. O'Rourke's Class Cedar Wood Elementary
December 2nd was the official launch date of the Delta 2 rocket. It was delayed (scrubbed) due to a hurricane passing through Texas. It was going to hit Florida the same time as the rocket was to be launched.
December 3rd the launch was scrubbed again for difficulties on the ground computers. On the 4th it launched! This is our point of view of what happened on launch night:
It was pitch black and the only light at Jetty Park (where we viewed the launch) was the rusty orange moon, the shooting stars and the blue and white glowing rocket on the launchpad. Along with us, our teacher Fran O'Rourke and our parents at Jetty Park were Brian Cooper (the rover driver), Dr. Edgett (provides education for teachers), Dr. Joy Crisp (geologist), Dr. Dave Crisp (works with weather) and other scientists and engineers from NASA's JPL who were excitingly waiting for the launch.
Suddenly a blinding light and a booming sound filled Jetty Park while cheers filled the air as the Delta II curved and sailed towards the moon. Half way to the moon the rocket boosters were released and looked like sparkling stars as they fell from the Delta rocket. The rocket continued on and looked like it was going right over the middle of the moon as it tore through the atmosphere. All you could see was a bright dot fade into the darkness. The sight was too amazing to describe. When it was all said and done we all agreed it was an experience we will never forget.
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