On May 14, 2010 at 2:20pm EDT, Space shuttle Atlantis launched into space from Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa Beach, FL. Atlantis had a successful 12-day, 4.8-million-mile mission to the International Space Station and landed today (5/26) at 8:48am EDT. This was the 32nd and final scheduled flight for Atlantis.
This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I was able to experience. I have a friend that works as an engineer at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX who invited me out to Florida for this event. He was able to swing some VIP passes for us! The general public viewed the launch from 6 miles away, but we were able to watch it from 2 1/2 miles away which was incredible. 
Launch site up close
On the VIP bus driving to Kennedy Space Center
Before the launch, we explored the exhibits in the Kennedy Space Center. So many cool things to see
32 seconds before launch!
Launch site up closeOn the VIP bus driving to Kennedy Space CenterBefore the launch, we explored the exhibits in the Kennedy Space Center. So many cool things to see32 seconds before launch!
Atlantis takes flight!
Because we were so close to the launch site, we could feel the vibrations during take-off
