Hundreds Gather In Oakland To Watch Shuttle Take Off

More than 200 people gathered at the Chabot Space and Science
Center in Oakland this morning to watch the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis.

The astronauts on the flight included San Carlos native and
University of California at Berkeley graduate Rex Walheim.

A crowd that included a large number of children watched the 8:29
a.m. launch together on a big screen at the museum, said Chabot spokesman Robert Ade. Only around half the crowd raised their hands when asked if they remembered the first shuttle launch.

The successful launch came as a relief after inclement weather and
delays led many to fear it might not occur.

While the launch was the last of its kind, Ade said the event was more exciting than sad.

"I don't see sad, I see a kind of pride," Ade said. "It's a memorable moment."

"Everybody's very excited but also looking forward to the next step in space exploration," Ade added. "There are some very exciting unmanned missions planned."

The NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in Mountain View
also hosted a viewing party for the shuttle launch this morning.

- Bay City News