Atlantis returns; end of Shuttle era

[CarlS]

I awoke this morning arouind 05:45 and at 05:55 I heard three rapid sonic booms. I knew that was Atlantis coming in for the landing.

Space shuttle Atlantis is back on Earth, and the shuttle era is over. Atlantis and its four astronauts glided through the twilight Thursday and landed in Florida shortly before sunrise.

Hundreds gathered near the runway to welcome Atlantis home -- and to bid NASA's 30-year space shuttle program goodbye. Atlantis' successful space station restocking mission closed out the shuttle era.

This was a true homecoming for Atlantis. The next-to-youngest shuttle will remain at Kennedy Space Center and be put on display.

NASA's next stop with astronauts will be an asteroid, then Mars. Private companies will take over trips to the International Space Station.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28618193/detail.html

 

[hemibee]

I thought they were going to land a little later this morning and was looking forward to watching it after I got home from work. Guess I'll have to watch the video on the news.


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[shanered6]

it seems a shame to me to end the most sucsessfull space ship ever built !
i hope the replacement is as good ! (and in the age of cut backs i doubt it ! )

 

[otherwise]

it seems a shame to me to end the most sucsessfull space ship ever built !
i hope the replacement is as good ! (and in the age of cut backs i doubt it ! )

I'll make a prediction and say the US will get back into it when the Chinese space program gets a little further advanced.
In the early days the US chased and then overtook the Soviets. I think the same mentality will reappear.

 

[otherwise]

Just came across this great photo.
Father and son at the first and again at the last Shuttle launch.

 

[DaveM]

Very cool photo

 

[shanered6]

that just great ! father and son still spending time together

 

[DaveM]

It is realy one of those feel good photos

 

[Gromit]

Suppose it's now just another blast from the past................

 

[CarlS]

it seems a shame to me to end the most sucsessfull space ship ever built !
i hope the replacement is as good ! (and in the age of cut backs i doubt it ! )

Obama scrapped the replacement program. Private industry is supposed to pick up the slack. NASA is working on a manned, deep space program which will include a trip to Mars. It will not include shuttles to the space station.

I'll make a prediction and say the US will get back into it when the Chinese space program gets a little further advanced.
In the early days the US chased and then overtook the Soviets. I think the same mentality will reappear.

You are probably right in your prediction. It will take a revitalized economy, though.