The last of a legend

[glactus]

During December 2010 we may see the last Space Shuttle flight to the International Space Station.


The majestic Shuttle

I remember the first flight of this wonderful flying machine on April 12th 1981. I was 51 years old then, gazing in awe as the Shuttle sat ready for lift off, and listening intensively as the announcers gave us a running commentary, for the dream of America was about to be realized. This was state of the art technology. "The computers are talking to each other" he said, and then there was lift off.


The lift off

The Shuttle Surpassed any other space vehicle in size, cargo capacity ( 50,000 pounds or nearly 22.32 tons), and the most advanced electronics were incorporated into its inventory.


The re-entry

After 138 missions to the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope, 2 disasters will have occurred with the loss of 14 Astronauts, but the risks did not deter those men and women who were dedicated to fly this beautiful machine, for, like those before them, and those who perished, the whispers of the Cosmos were calling them.


The last of a legend

[starrdawg]

Dont write off Shuttle just yet. With the new "fees" the Russians want to send our astronauts to SSI, there is serious talk about extending the life cycle of Shuttle for pure economic reasons.

[glactus]

We are hoping that what you say is correct. Why not re-configure the payload bay to accommodate tourist seating and take them to the ISS where space hotels would receive them. Then the ISS would pay for itself.