The Last Launch

For many, this is long overdue and the space shuttle program is a shell of what it once was.

Still, for me, and I suppose many others my age and older, this is pretty big that today is the final launch of the space shuttle. I remember in the 80s when, even aside from the Challenger disaster, it was a major event when the shuttle launched.

And I'm sure there are those who remember when the program started and how big a deal that was

Webcast: Watch NASA's Final Shuttle Launch LIVE via Spaceflight Now | Atlantis' STS-135 Mission | Shuttle Launches & Space Shuttle Retirement | Space.com (http://www.space.com/12212-nasa-final-shuttle-atlantis-launch-live-webcast.html)

so does this mean we failed as far as space travel?

so does this mean we failed as far as space travel?

Failed?
Its far from over.
Whats the measuring stick?
Whats the goal?

I'd say we have lead the world from the get go and or have kept pace with the Russians. They have done some things that we haven't but they have never had a successful shuttle program and have never been to the moon.
The airframes on those shuttle are just too worn out to keep using safely, time to retire them and move on.
I would like to see NASA get a bigger budget but there are many that want to spread the cost globally, not to mention the economy is not helping either.

The space program is one of those areas where I think most agree - yes, we should keep trying to move beyond our current boundaries. At the same time, it's just not a priority given all the other areas competing for federal monies. Without federal money, it will simply not get done as there is no profit (yet) in going to the Moon, Mars or beyond.

I don't think the space program has failed. I just think that there isn't the political will at this point to take on the HUGE expenditures required to make the next steps. Hopefully, it we will find ways to keep pushing forward.

As with SS, the closing of the shuttle program is bittersweet. It's time, but, in it's day, it was a pretty amazing thing that we did.

Not even sure why failure is being brought up. It's just an outdated program that needs to be revamped.

I'd say it is the absolute opposite of a failure.

Good god everyone quiet your inner Neal Armstrong,

Back to this specific launch...they just said the likelihood of this occurring today is about 30 percent due to weather.

30 seconds from launch and they had a launch failure. Not sure what's going on right now

Joe Gibbs is there