Liftoff! York astronaut and Endeavour make it to space on sixth attempt

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — York High School graduate Christopher Cassidy became the 500th person to fly into space as the space shuttle Endeavour lifted off Wednesday, July 15, after weather problems had scrubbed several launch attempts earlier this summer.

Janice Cassidy, mother of the 39-year-old former Navy SEAL, spoke with Seacoast Media Group via cell phone following the launch and said she was "overwhelmed." As late as 1 p.m. Wednesday, she said there were downpours near the launch site, but the weather finally cleared long enough.

"It was just unbelievable," said Cassidy, who noted the launch was also "very, very emotional" for her. "I don't know if I can describe it. I'm just so proud of (Christopher)."

The mood at Cape Canaveral was dampened somewhat when NASA managers watched the launch video.

Several pieces of foam insulation came off the external fuel tank during liftoff, and the shuttle was hit two or three times, said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's space operations chief. Some scuff marks were spotted on the belly, but that probably is coating loss and considered minor, he said.

Engineers immediately began reviewing all the launch video, standard procedure ever since flights resumed following the Columbia disaster. Gerstenmaier said zoom-in photos will be taken of the entire shuttle right before it docks with the space station Friday, to ascertain whether the shuttle suffered any serious damage.

"The bottom line is we saw some stuff," said Mike Moses, chairman of the mission management team. "Some of it doesn't concern us. Some of it you just can't really speculate on right now. But we have the tools in front of us and the processes ... to go clear this vehicle for entry" in 16 days.

The shuttle Columbia was destroyed during re-entry in 2003 because of a hole in its wing, left there by flyaway foam at liftoff.

Endeavour blasted off at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, hauling a veranda for Japan's space station. It was NASA's sixth attempt to launch Endeavour, and was a welcome sight for shuttle workers who had to overcome gas leaks last month and, more recently, thunderstorms.

Christopher Cassidy, who earned the 500th designation by virtue of his seat assignment on the Endeavour, is scheduled for three space walks as part of the mission, according to NASA.

Janice Cassidy said the many delays in June and then July were tough on everyone, particularly the crewmembers, who managed to keep their spirits high nonetheless and maintain a low-key attitude. On NASA's official blog for the launch, it was noted that Christopher Cassidy adopted a good luck charm from many baseball fans Wednesday, turning his hat upside down in a "rally cap" gesture as the crew hoped the weather would hold.

The crew will be away for 16 days, during which time Janice Cassidy said she would be able to communicate with her son via e-mail. She thanked all the crew members in Cape Canaveral and fellow family members, with whom she said she developed a strong sense of camaraderie while waiting through several launch attempts.

In an unexpected bonus, the launch fell on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the liftoff for man's first moon landing.

Christopher Cassidy has been in some pretty scary situations as a Navy SEAL, especially in Afghanistan in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In an Associated Press report, Cassidy acknowledged space has its own dangers, but noted, "There won't be people shooting at me.

"In spaceflight, I think the risk is all of the unknown things that we don't know are looming out there to trip us up," he said.

His biggest fear? "I just don't want to screw up."

As a 10-year member of the SEALS, Cassidy was skilled in building assaults, ship boardings, desert reconnaissance, combat diving, underwater explosives, parachuting and rappelling.

"I like a little bit of a thrill," he explained with a chuckle.

He and wife Julie have two daughters, ages 14 and 12, and a 10-year-old son.

Once Endeavour arrives at the space station, there will be 13 people together in orbit, a record crowd.