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Starting a NASA News thread so we don't have separate threads for each!
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Shuttle Atlantis
reaches orbit for
final time
By Mark DeCotis, Florida Today
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thirty years and
135 missions after its debut, NASA
launched a space shuttle for the final time
on Friday as Atlantis streaked into orbit
from Kennedy Space Center.
Atlantis and its four-person crew are
embarking on a 12-day mission to the
International Space Station.
The on-time liftoff at 11:26 a.m. thrilled a
crowd of an estimated 1 million people who
packed viewing sites along the Florida coast
for one last look at a spaceship that
captured the imagination and attention of
fans around the world.
"And Fergie, for the final time … good luck,
Godspeed and have a little fun up there,"
Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach
radioed up to Atlantis Commander Chris
Ferguson, giving him the "go" for launch.
The orbiter roared off the pad, leaving
behind a plume that hung majestically in the
air. The crowds at the KSC press site
cheered.
The mission is the 33rd for Atlantis which
first flew on Oct. 3, 1985, on a Department of Defense flight.
Questionable weather put the launch in
doubt until less than an hour before the
planned liftoff. A blanket of heavy, gray
clouds shrouded the launch pad for most of
the morning, but cleared in enough time for
officials to clear the launch.
Atlantis is hauling a module packed with
nearly 10,000 pounds of supplies -- about a
third of it food -- and equipment that should
keep the International Space Station stocked
through next year.
End of an era(AT)
Because of the vast expense necessary to
maintain and fly the shuttle fleet it was
decided the craft had outlived its usefulness
and it was brought to an end in a decision
that will be debated in space circles for
decades to come.
One of the points of contention is the shuttle
should have been flown until a successor
was in place to both guarantee the nation's
leadership position in space and human
---------------------
Shuttle Atlantis
reaches orbit for
final time
By Mark DeCotis, Florida Today
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Thirty years and
135 missions after its debut, NASA
launched a space shuttle for the final time
on Friday as Atlantis streaked into orbit
from Kennedy Space Center.
Atlantis and its four-person crew are
embarking on a 12-day mission to the
International Space Station.
The on-time liftoff at 11:26 a.m. thrilled a
crowd of an estimated 1 million people who
packed viewing sites along the Florida coast
for one last look at a spaceship that
captured the imagination and attention of
fans around the world.
"And Fergie, for the final time … good luck,
Godspeed and have a little fun up there,"
Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach
radioed up to Atlantis Commander Chris
Ferguson, giving him the "go" for launch.
- PHOTOS: Space shuttle Atlantis over
the years - STORY: Unsung heroes kept shuttle
flying
The orbiter roared off the pad, leaving
behind a plume that hung majestically in the
air. The crowds at the KSC press site
cheered.
The mission is the 33rd for Atlantis which
first flew on Oct. 3, 1985, on a Department of Defense flight.
Questionable weather put the launch in
doubt until less than an hour before the
planned liftoff. A blanket of heavy, gray
clouds shrouded the launch pad for most of
the morning, but cleared in enough time for
officials to clear the launch.
Atlantis is hauling a module packed with
nearly 10,000 pounds of supplies -- about a
third of it food -- and equipment that should
keep the International Space Station stocked
through next year.
End of an era(AT)
Because of the vast expense necessary to
maintain and fly the shuttle fleet it was
decided the craft had outlived its usefulness
and it was brought to an end in a decision
that will be debated in space circles for
decades to come.
One of the points of contention is the shuttle
should have been flown until a successor
was in place to both guarantee the nation's
leadership position in space and human
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