The Last Launch

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 07:42 AM

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

mredskins · 07-08-2011, 08:26 AM

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

Alvin Walton · 07-08-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredskins

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.

JoeRedskin · 07-08-2011, 08:57 AM

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.

MTK · 07-08-2011, 09:02 AM

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 It's just an outdated program that needs to be revamped.

FRPLG · 07-08-2011, 09:50 AM

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

mredskins · 07-08-2011, 10:18 AM

Good god everyone quiet your inner Neal Armstrong,

Alvin Walton · 07-08-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredskins

Good god everyone quiet your inner Neal Armstrong,

If America had quieted its inner Neal Armstrong we would still be playing pecker tag with ourselves while watching the Russians build Death Stars.

hooskins · 07-08-2011, 10:35 AM

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

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 11:27 AM

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

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 11:27 AM

Joe Gibbs is there

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 11:28 AM

And wer'e back on

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 11:29 AM

Liftoff. We have liftoff

Successful launch!

SmootSmack · 07-08-2011, 11:30 AM

These launches still amaze me everytime. Shame this is the last one. Guess I can book my ticket now for a commercial space flight

Ruhskins · 07-08-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

These launches still amaze me everytime. Shame this is the last one. Guess I can book my ticket now for a commercial space flight

Same here. It looks amazing. I kick myself for never witnessing one in person.

07-08-2011, 07:42 AM	#1
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	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 __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

07-08-2011, 08:26 AM	#2
mredskins Gamebreaker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 12,528	Re: The Last Launch so does this mean we failed as far as space travel? __________________ When life gives you paper jams, turn them into paper footballs!

07-08-2011, 08:57 AM	#4
JoeRedskin Contains football related knowledge Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Second Star On The Right Age: 61 Posts: 10,401	Re: The Last Launch 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. __________________ Strap it up, hold onto the ball, and let’s go.

07-08-2011, 09:02 AM	#5
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 51 Posts: 99,427	Re: The Last Launch Not even sure why failure is being brought up. It's just an outdated program that needs to be revamped. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

07-08-2011, 09:50 AM	#6
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 10,164	Re: The Last Launch I'd say it is the absolute opposite of a failure.

07-08-2011, 10:18 AM	#7
mredskins Gamebreaker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 12,528	Re: The Last Launch Good god everyone quiet your inner Neal Armstrong, __________________ When life gives you paper jams, turn them into paper footballs!

07-08-2011, 10:35 AM	#9
hooskins Most Interesting Man in the World Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Age: 37 Posts: 8,606	Re: The Last Launch Back to this specific launch...they just said the likelihood of this occurring today is about 30 percent due to weather. __________________ Vacancy

07-08-2011, 11:27 AM	#10
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: The Last Launch 30 seconds from launch and they had a launch failure. Not sure what's going on right now __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

07-08-2011, 11:27 AM	#11
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: The Last Launch Joe Gibbs is there __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

07-08-2011, 11:28 AM	#12
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: The Last Launch And wer'e back on __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

07-08-2011, 11:29 AM	#13
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: The Last Launch Liftoff. We have liftoff Successful launch! __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

07-08-2011, 11:30 AM	#14
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: The Last Launch These launches still amaze me everytime. Shame this is the last one. Guess I can book my ticket now for a commercial space flight __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

The Last Launch

Parking Lot