▲ 1.1k r/space
I am 81 years old. For the Apollo 11 launch, I worked the graveyard shift for Federal Electric Corporation at the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) at Cape Kennedy.
One of my main responsibilities was processing weather data from 35 mm film to IBM magnetic tape format and transmitting the data reel to Houston Control Center. After our shift, on launch day we were allowed to remain on property to watch the lift off. I stopped on the road side of the access near the Cocoa guard check point station and sat alone on my 1969 Yamaha 250 motorcycle and witnessed the launch. Afterward as I passed through the guard station to go home the streets sides were packed full of cars and vehicles of all sorts. At first people applauded as I passed through. After it wasn't obvious anymore that I was part of the launch team, I just became part of the crowd. It was... and still is the proudest moment of my life.
u/Prior-Rutabaga-5759 — 7 days ago
