STS-135 - the last STS mission

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 12:51:09 PM

QuoteLaunch Director Mike Leinbach completed a weather briefing with Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters, Ascent Flight Director Richard Jones and the Spaceflight Meteorology group in Mission Control in Houston. While weather remains dynamic, Leinbach told the launch team, "We do have a shot at this today."

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

I keep my fingers crossed for a launch on time

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Although this is a moment I was waiting for for many years (because it frees up resources for a new program if politicians take the right decisions), I fear that this launch will be quite an emotional one for me still. Anyhow I grew up with the Shuttle. Whilst every flight into space is historical, this one will be a very special one beside STS-1. It's the last flight of long and a massive program. I wish the crew a good go, all the very best, and a lot of fun up there.

NASA TV high bitrate stream:

http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1368163

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 01:14:55 PM

Okay. The weather currently is only 30% "go", or 70% "no go", like a glass of water can be half full or empty

The sky above the pad doesn't look very well. There is only clouds but no blue sky at all. Other than Launch Director Mike Leinbach I am not that much optimistic for a launch today

Admin · July 08, 2011, 01:30:50 PM

Same here...
/Admin

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 02:28:07 PM

Wow. They've had STS-1 commentator Hugh Harris there. And I have to admit that when the closeout crew held their program goodbye cards into the camera inbetween, it slightly was a wet-eye moment.

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 02:41:08 PM

T-45 minutes and the weather currently is "go". Let's hope it stays "go"!

Cthulhus · July 08, 2011, 02:54:37 PM

Should we must really a want a "go" here ? I'm a bit egoist and don't want to let her go... $:-\$

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 02:58:11 PM

Quote from: Cthulhus on July 08, 2011, 02:54:37 PM
Should we must really a want a "go" here ? I'm a bit egoist and don't want to let her go... $:-\$

lol

I also was thinking that it wouldn't be too bad really if they get another try tomorrow so that we can witness the final launch preparations a second time

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 03:03:46 PM

It still doesn't look like a "synchronised abort" today

Only 23 minutes to go...

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 03:42:59 PM

What a phantastic final launch. At T-31 seconds I was holding my breath. But they resumed just a little later. Amazing

Admin · July 08, 2011, 04:06:16 PM

Quote from: Moonwalker on July 08, 2011, 03:42:59 PM
What a phantastic final launch. At T-31 seconds I was holding my breath. But they resumed just a little later. Amazing

This was Atlantis' way of saying goodbye

She was playing "hard to get" - LOL!

/Admin

simking · July 08, 2011, 04:26:26 PM

Well that's All folks a lot of employees packing their desks and lockers today add another say thousand to the jobless market..thanks oBUMa I thought he said he could CREATE jobs YES WE CAN....NOT a bitter sweet day for America.

Skunkworks · July 08, 2011, 04:28:45 PM

Wow, this is emotional. An end of an era...!

Farewell Atlantis and the Space Shuttle era. You will truly be missed, but will live in our memories forever.

Moonwalker · July 08, 2011, 05:36:49 PM

Quote from: Admin on July 08, 2011, 04:06:16 PM
Quote from: Moonwalker on July 08, 2011, 03:42:59 PM
What a phantastic final launch. At T-31 seconds I was holding my breath. But they resumed just a little later. Amazing

This was Atlantis' way of saying goodbye

She was playing "hard to get" - LOL!

/Admin

At least she tried

Admin · July 09, 2011, 07:14:14 AM

Moments...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mgrabois/

/Admin

IceManHG · July 09, 2011, 06:21:14 PM

I just managed to watch the launch on TV at work. I ran into the auto dealership I work in and saw it. Its the end of an era but there is more to come. Remember that.