Down Pad 1, Prologue
First Stage Recovery
Boca Chica, TX, was the site of the Space Force Launch Delta responsible for Shrike operations, a military version of the SpaceX Falcon 9.
“Mommy,” said Al, “there it goes!” At three years old, the Shrike launch still impressed him. It came a close second to the steam engine videos on Rumble, and might actually be in danger of replacing dinosaurs.
Jenna Mae Michaelson Carrington set three month old Nicky, head lolling, milk drunk, in the detachable car seat on the green grass of the park next to the park shelter, and re-closed the nursing bra under the modesty cover.
Shelly looked up from her Notepad. “Al, come over here,” called the seven-year-old. “I’ll show you where to look.”
The little boy ran over and turned to look where his sister was pointing. She was looking at a countdown on her Notepad. “Twenty-five, twenty-four, twenty-three ….”
Al couldn’t count backwards until she got to ten, but he waited patiently. Then both of them together said, “ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!” And there it was, the first stage separated, and then drifted out of sight.
“But I can’t see the down fire!” complained Al. That’s what he called the rocket fire that maneuvered the first stage down to its down pad, where it would be prepped and clicked into the transporter that would take it to the hangar.
“We can’t see both the launch and the first stage touch down from this park,” said Shelly. “We told you that.”
“Mom,” said Twan, “I’m going over to the rocket park. The guys are going skateboarding.” At ten years old, their first born was both the most responsible and the most interested in things that could get him hurt.
“Twan, don’t forget your helmet and elbowpads and kneepads,” Jenna said, out of habit, although she knew he wouldn’t forget them.
“Yeah, Mom,” he said. “I know. If Dad can wear a helmet and protective gear at the down pad, I can wear that stuff at the skateboard park.” He really wished she would stop treating him like a baby.
Jenna sighed at his back, as he rode off on his bike. He was going to come back with a broken leg one of these times. Or worse. Then she turned back to Shelly. “There’s not another launch for four hours,” she said. “Either set that Notepad for an exercise routine or put it down and take a lap. We’re at the park to get sun and exercise.”