At first, the impossibly bright glow of the ignited rocket filled our vision, even 4+ miles distant. But then, as the rising craft reached several rocket heights above the surface, the deep, low rumble of the engine sounding across the water grew to a loud roar that penetrated right to our very cores. No clouds interrupted our view of the rising streak, and as the craft rolled over and continued upward, up toward space with its precious cargo, we were all of us breathtaken.

The launch of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was such a special event to all of us in the family of LPL that dozens of alumni gathered together to watch. This was the brain child of Mike Drake, someone who had influenced the lives of all of us, who, along with the other faculty, staff and researchers at LPL, helped us get to where we are today. Now the mission belongs to Dante Lauretta, of the next generation of LPL faculty, and one who so capably embodies the hopes of LPL, the U of A, Arizona and the field as he guides the mission forward. The spacecraft is fully the child of LPL, as were we alumni, so in many ways we wanted to see how our sibling would grow up. We wanted to help it leave the nest, to spread its wings and fly, as we watch and help each other do the same.

There was a reception and banquet for all alumni the night before the launch, sponsored by the College of Science Development Office and the LPL Board of External Advisors, with dinner, drinks and the opportunity to see each other and catch up. LPL alumni receptions have been regularly held during conferences with success, and we saw the launch of OSIRIS-REx as an opportunity to really involve alumni in the excitement and pride surrounding the event, to reconnect them with each other, and to show how much they are valued by LPL. This was fully a reunion for us, with many of us having not seen each other for years, some even over a decade. And yet, just like with blood family, the ties are strong and we had much to talk about and share. We picked up right where we left off. We got to know the soon-to-be-alumni (students), told field trip stories (I even heard some for the first time!), discussed the quote board past and present, and filled each other in on the friends who were not able to come. We rejoiced in each other’s successes in work and life and felt inspired at the divergent paths we had each taken. We partied, took pictures, and started planning in earnest for the next reunion.

That one won’t take us ten years.

The skies were so clear up high for the launch. The towering exhaust plume showed sunset and full sun colors, and the shadow of the cloud is visible against the sky. (Photo: J. Radebaugh)