I think I was well into high school before I considered it.
Sort of connected.... I was an avid follower of the NASA program.... starting when they took on the Sputnik challenge. I watched every single liftoff until some time into the Space Shuttle program.
I never saw a launch "live", however - of a 'manned' space flight that is. I saw many others because a ranch we used to have was very near Vandenberg.
I did see a shuttle landing at Edwards Air Force Base... the 5th mission.
