It really is..I have seen 2 up close (once a night launch from the VIP area, once from normal public area in day) and also saw another one from tampa after the sec tournament last year.
A night launch is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life, its truly an experience..even as a young kid I still remember it well.
Sadly, ,last night was the last night launch of any of the shuttles...only a few more left in the programs history before it is scrapped.
Im hoping to work a summer trip down there to see the final one.
God Bless them as they work above us in the vast darkness of space.