10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – Liftoff! Have you ever witnessed the launch of a rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida? It is a magnificent sight! I spent many years working as an aerospace engineer designing and testing rocket engines. When launch day arrives for a new propulsion system there is a tangible anticipation of success. After literally years of development effort everything and everyone is ready for the inaugural launch. The countdown process is