What a wonderful day!  The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket carried the Goddard Flight into space this morning.  Liftoff occurred at 7:21 am MDT (8:21 am EDT, 1:21 GMT)  – what a spectacular sight!  You can view video of the launch here.

The crowd of onlookers – including high school and college students and their instructors, VIPs, and family members of those on board the Goddard Flight – applauded, cheered, jumped for joy, hugged one another … and cried.  These memorial spaceflight launches are always emotionally-moving experiences.

On a separate note … people were really interested in our Goddard Flight patches and pins — we had a little table set up in the assembly area and sold out of everything!

As we depart New Mexico, we will never forget the excitement and meaning of today — especially for those with loved ones on board the spacecraft.  We were truly honor their lives and memories aboard the Goddard Flight.