Kepler Launch

our dreams launched
at t = 0, along with two
tons of hardware and optics,
our own Kepler space telescope,
mounted on a Delta II rocket.
dreams sometimes obscured
by the day to day mundane,
our eyes shine bright in
the reflection of fireballs
at launch, dimming as she
continues upward towards
the heavenly stars.

a glitter in the
far skies, she finally disappears
into the darkness of night.

A special moment for me as this is the first telescope I felt I had made a significant contribution to its safe design and manufacture. I can’t wait to see the images in about a month or so when we open the lid which is protecting the optics. Photograph courtesy of http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_space_thewritestuff/2009/03/kepler-launch-cool-photo-.html