Does it make me a nerd?

Does it make me a nerd knowing that I got up today with great anticipation over the space shuttle's launch? With the sole exception of watching the Gatornationals on ESPN this afternoon, my television stayed on the NASA channel all day long, lol. Is it nerdier that I actually rushed out of the house today to buy some chips and salsa for the launch? Heh, oh well, who cares. I love the space program, no matter how underwhelming it is in comparison to accomplishments made DECADES ago. There is some explanation, I suppose, as I grew up in central Florida and was able to watch shots from our front porch. ;)

Speaking of the space shuttle, if you're any kind of fan and are curious as to what happens during missions, check out SSM2007, the Space Shuttle Mission simulator. The main website is here: Space Shuttle Mission 2007(tm). Now, SSM2007 is NOT the same sort of simulator as Flight Simulator or Orbit; SSM simulates EACH of the missions the shuttles have flown...in almost painful detail. There's no "free flight", although you have moments during docking or rendezvous maneuvers; it's locked down to the missions and it can be VERY challenging. It's a beautifully detailed simulator and quite enjoyable for space nerds.

Anyway, tonight's launch was gorgeous...even on the TV; wish I was closer so I could have watched it. Oh well.

SSM 2007. Took the photo with my iPhone, so the quality, in reality, is much higher!