STS-133

[Admin]

Heartbreaking is the right word. And emotional (to quote Cthulhus).

I am sure that many of us shed a real tear during the last active moments of Discovery and when hearing "Houston Discovery. For the last time: wheels stopped.".

As far as I can tell, the STS-133 crew, especially Nicole Stott, did the same at touchdown. We could hear her emotions errupting during their last interview in space.

/Admin

[uri_ba]

Great landing on great weather! Discovery has spent a cummulative one year in space and serviced Space Exploration for 27 years.

/Admin

The problem is how you look at that info. People like us would say "never before a human transport vehicle has spent so much time in space". Problem id that those who oppose can say "it's like building an airliner that can only fly 7 hours a week". Either w:-) way I now would have to go back to DC and see her up close. Last time she was standing on pad A.

[Admin]

Great landing on great weather! Discovery has spent a cummulative one year in space and serviced Space Exploration for 27 years.

/Admin

The problem is how you look at that info. People like us would say "never before a human transport vehicle has spent so much time in space". Problem id that those who oppose can say "it's like building an airliner that can only fly 7 hours a week". Either w:-) way I now would have to go back to DC and see her up close. Last time she was standing on pad A.

I'm sure it'll become a Mecca for Space Exploration lovers (and for many SSMS virtual astronauts too - LOL)

/Admin

[uri_ba]

As far as I care.. it's my personal mecca already

[Steven]

KSC will always have a place in my heart, after getting the chance to see the operations up-close as press, it's just an absolutely majestic, well performed, amazingly engineered work of art.  There's no other words about this.

To the untrained eye, these birds are machinery, but to us... they're living giants who take to the skies - and Discovery is now being put into her "cage" for the final time.  Forced retirement sucks, but she's earned this one, no doubt about that.

Great landing today, thanks to all the crews who helped support this girl for her 39 flights.  Just an amazing ride she's had, may she remember them all. 

PAO Josh's words choked me up this morning.  "To the ship that has lead time and time again, we say... Farewell, Discovery".

[Cthulhus]

Great landing on great weather! Discovery has spent a cummulative one year in space and serviced Space Exploration for 27 years.

/Admin

One year ? Impressive !

I was surprised by the landing. For me it was a short landing !? I would like to know the statistics on the various Shuttle landings. Which one has made the shortest landing?

[uri_ba]

they had 18 knots headwind with gusts to 28.
nominal TD was 2100 yds @ 195 kts.