Rocket Man

When space photographer Scott Schilke invited the Coastal Breeze News to shoot a rocket launch from the top of the Stan Gober Memorial Bridge, I couldn’t agree any faster. 

Schilke came to Marco Island with Deltona Corporation, developers of modern Marco, in the 1980s. And after a distinguished career in property management, Schilke has become one of the top rocket photographers in the world. Schilke is known by the space community as spacenewsfl.com. The website is dedicated to documenting America’s space exploration.   

The Thursday, October 23 Falcon 9 launch was photographer Schilke’s rocket launch No. 285—but only his second from atop the Goodland Bridge. It was my first launch. 

The back of Schilke’s Lexus SUV is a photo gallery on wheels. He chooses a tripod from what looks to be a dozen or so that are neatly organized in the trunk. An app on his phone counts down the launch that’s just over half an hour away. 

“The launches are hard on the tripod legs,” Schilke explains as he struggles to make an adjustment. “A lot of dust.” 

Schilke and his fellow space photographers have to set their cameras up ahead of the launch, then clear the area. Oftentimes, his equipment is damaged or ruined. This launch was some 200 miles away at Cape Canaveral. 

Schilke works quickly but calmly as he places cameras—including mine—on tripods. The launch has an easterly trajectory. As the minutes tick down, Schilke shows no signs of panic. He’s used to countdowns. 

“Countdowns are my life,” Schilke said as he attaches a shutter release cable to one of the cameras.   

With more than a minute to spare, Schilke is ready for the final countdown. The rocket launches right on time at 9:30 PM. It doesn’t take long for Schilke to exclaim, “There it is! Do you see it?” It took me a while, but I eventually picked it up. I quickly fired off shots with my trusty 400 mm lens as the rocket streaks across the sky. It was quite a thrill to witness a rocket launch in such a serene setting. Schilke motions his hand across the Marco skyline. “All of those condos can very easily watch rocket launches,” he said.  

Schilke quickly gathers his equipment and congratulates me on my first rocket launch. I must say it was an amazing experience. And one I highly recommend.