Fun with Schwenn
On July 8, 2011, NASA successfully launched Atlantis into space for the last time, closing a 30 year run with the Space Shuttle program. Courtney Wingo, Schwenn's Project Coordinator, was able to get passes to witness this true moment in history up close.
Courtney’s mom has worked for the space program for 28 years and her dad was out there during the Saturn, Mercury and Apollo Missions. Courtney also worked for NASA constructing Pad 37 for the Heavy Delta 4 Rocket.
A week before the launch Courtney received a call from her mom saying she had passes. Knowing Jeffry (II) was an aspiring Space Cadette as a young boy, she gave him a vehicle pass and a badge to get where few people are allowed. He brought his wife Jenny and a long time friend, who was also an aspiring Space Cadette, as well as his wife Jennifer.
Faced with a 70% no-go, the Schwenn "Nerd Club" decided to go anyway. With cameras, tripods, chairs and a cooler packed up we headed east to the greatest place on earth for the last time. It was cloudy and we kept listening to all the final preparations for the launch. As we looked skyward to see what storms might affect us, we saw a patch of clear blue sky rolling towards the launch pad, our hopes were set to become reality. The blue patch gave them just enough time to get Atlantis up in the sky one final time. Thousands of people held their breath and crossed their fingers. Moments before lift off you could hear a pin drop in the grass, then as the count down started everyone went wild. Cameras were clicking and everyone was in awe of her beauty as she went up. It was a great launch and we will desperately miss the Space Program, they have given America great things through exploration. The Fleet will be missed and we feel very honored to be able to go out as close as we could to wish it a final farewell.
Courtney quoted, “I couldn't imagine going out there with anyone else. The company was great, home made lunch by Jeffry was awesome.”
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