Once every few months I have the great pleasure of taking out my Space Shuttle Launch Countdown document and watching our magnificent Shuttle take off from the Cape. It is always with great pride and admiration that I watch a Shuttle launch, and today was no exception.

Actually, tonight was no exception. Shuttle Endeavor launched at 7:55 PM EDT. All launches are special, but night launches are even more so, illuminating the night sky with brilliant light. Everyone should see a launch if they have the opportunity. My only wish is to one day see a launch in person from Florida.

For many people I know, the exploration of space and our space program is very dear to our hearts. For those of us in IT, these feelings are even more profound as many of us feel we are the “Mission Control” of our organizations. I know I feel this way.

After the launch, I stepped outside briefly and tried to look for stars through the cloudy sky, remembering that one day not that long ago someone looked to the heavens and said, “People up there? Yeah, we can do that.”

Godspeed, Endeavor. May you return from your exploration safely.