Chuck Fields took this photo of a rocket launch Jan. 13 in Florida.
Submitted photo
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter will feature our “Neighbors” each month, whether it be someone with an interesting hobby or profession, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Greenfield resident Chuck Fields shares about his podcast and an opportunity to attend a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center Jan. 13 that put 105 small satellites into orbit. Fields, originally from Cincinnati, has lived in Greenfield 10 years. If you know a person or a group that you’d like to see featured in Neighbors, email [email protected].
Daily Reporter: Tell us about your podcast.
Chuck Fields: I created my podcast “Your Space Journey” a couple of years ago. It’s actually a spinoff from my podcast “Online Coffee Break” which I started in 2018. I had such a tremendous response to my space episodes that I created “Your Space Journey” to focus on the amazing current events of space exploration and the incredible people leading us. I’ve been fortunate to cover several launches, some from close up and others from afar, including interviews with current astronauts from the latest SpaceX crewed missions. The podcast is available on all popular podcast apps; more information is available at YourSpaceJourney.com.
DR: How did you get interested in space exploration?
CF: My interest in astronomy and space exploration started at age 12 when I received my first telescope for Christmas (back in 1979). That was actually quite a tough time for my family. We lost my sister Traci (age 16) to leukemia on Christmas Eve. I turned to astronomy and space exploration to help me grieve but also developed a great passion for it, which I still have to this day.
DR: Why were you invited to watch the SpaceX Transporter 3 launch Jan. 13?
CF: I applied to attend several weeks ago, using my podcast credentials. That definitely doesn’t guarantee an invitation, but in this case two days before launch I found out my invitation was accepted. I happened to be in Florida at that time, so I happily made a two-hour jaunt to Kennedy Space Center (and thankfully was able to take a day off work to attend!).
DR: What was the experience like?
CF: I had the wonderful pleasure of watching this incredible launch from the U.S. Space Force station just about three miles or so away from where SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was at the pad. This Transporter 3 mission carried 105 satellites and was the first launch from Cape Canaveral which landed the Booster onshore, at Landing Zone 1 just a mile away from the launch pad.
This was the third time I’ve been fortunate to witness a booster landing. It’s almost indescribable to watch a rocket liftoff, feeling the incredible sound rumbling through your bones while watching the rocket rise higher and higher. But to then see the booster separate and watch as it “falls with style” as Buzz Lightyear would say — it’s simply amazing. As if this isn’t awarding enough, we were treated to a sonic boom as the booster approached the landing pad, slowing down enough to de-breach the sound barrier.
This booster – B1058, flew for the tenth time, the third such booster from SpaceX to do so. This was my second time seeing this booster fly. I saw it last for the Starlink L20 mission in March 2021. Historically, this booster is famous for first flying on SpaceX Demo2, the company’s first crewed mission, featuring Bob and Doug.
DR: What do you do with the photos and experience?
I enjoy sharing the experience with others and of course love to get good photos. That’s not easy to do! I was fortunate to cover the launch of SpaceX Inspiration 4, the first all-civilian space mission last September. I had two remote cameras at the launch pad and neither got a decent photo. I’m also a part-time coding teacher though, and for Inspiration 4 I actually was able to live stream the launch from Kennedy Space Center to my class.
DR: What comes next for you and your podcast?
I’m in the process of lining up new guests and topics for Season 3 of “Your Space Journey,” and hopefully looking forward to covering a couple more launches this year. I’d really like to help spread the excitement with others, and hopefully help encourage kids and adults alike that we have a bright future ahead. We just need to allow ourselves to dream, think positive and enjoy the ride, even if it’s through a camera.
