Final Shuttle Launch

[The Mike]

It is very sad that for a good time forward kids will think Astronauts are only things you see in movies.

 

[BuffBuff]

That was fun. Now we have to sit back and watch the Russians continue space exploration.

Who's decision was it to cancel the shuttle program? Whoever it was, ____ him.

agreed. they should be

A group of us watched it at work. My boss thought it would be a clever way to weed out any un-Americans, Suffice it to say... everyone showed up, including the Canadian.

It was a sad moment. I wanted to tear up, but did my best not to. It was odd feeling seeing the last shuttle launch, and watching the video from the POV on the shuttle, it almost felt like 1969.

 

[The Ween]

It is sad. I really wish we weren't giving up on the shuttle. I can only hope there are better things to come with the new programs. There are so many people against the space program. I can't help but feel it might be our salvation one day.

 

[carbo-fation]

This is sad. I hope our government will get its ____ together and re-instate the shuttle program in the next couple of years. We can't fall behind the Chinese and Russians in this category.....ever.

 

[Zeniff]

yes watching this final shuttle launch really got me thinking, and wondering what the other countries might be thinking...

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

It is sad. I really wish we weren't giving up on the shuttle. I can only hope there are better things to come with the new programs. There are so many people against the space program. I can't help but feel it might be our salvation one day.

I'm def going to need an escape pod when the zombie apocalypse happens, and it will happen!

 

[The Josh]

This is sad. I hope our government will get its ____ together and re-instate the shuttle program in the next couple of years. We can't fall behind the Chinese and Russians in this category.....ever.

They will. I've looked in the last bit but I do believe they are working on new shuttles for space flight. These were kind of past their born on date and the next set of shuttles are being built for deeper space flight.

 

[BuddyGus]

This is so sad. I loved the space program so much when I was a kid. Even while in the military I have followed it very closely. These are truly sad times for America. We need this program and the advances that come from its research.

 

[The Josh]

This is so sad. I loved the space program so much when I was a kid. Even while in the military I have followed it very closely. These are truly sad times for America. We need this program and the advances that come from its research.

There will still be US Astronauts in space. Just until the new shuttles are ready Russia will be sending them.

 

[yodasan]

That was fun. Now we have to sit back and watch the Russians continue space exploration.

Who's decision was it to cancel the shuttle program? Whoever it was, ____ him.

George Bush made the decision.

 

[agen_kolar]

Took these pics today at the launch:

More can be found here.

 

[Mesa]

Cool pics Kolar. I especially like this one:

I hope you don't mind, but I shared it on FB.

When I was at UCF I could sometimes see the launch from the campus. Hell, even took a satellite communications class at Kennedy Space center (or at least the military base just next door) and it felt like such a privilege to be able to participate in something so elite.

Sad that America is no longer leading the way. Now we will have to hitchhike with the Russians to get into space. I don't trust the Russians for one second. Never have, never will. I know it sounds stupid/paranoid, but they are not our ally.

 

[King Darkness]

I don't trust the Russians for one second. Never have, never will.

 

[jye4ever]

If Russia made Hot Toys and Polystone statues I would certainly consider trusting them more though.

 

[gibby]

This specific 30yr old shuttle program was cancelled, not all US space flight. NASA will be working together with private companies to continue low orbit space flight (and trips to ISS). Sierra Nevada has signed on with NASA and is expecting to start flights in 2015 -

https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/jul/HQ_11-221_Sierra_Space_Act.html

https://www.floridatoday.com/articl...e-like-space-taxi-would-call-KSC-its-homeport

 

[devilof76]

George Bush made the decision.

He did. Right after Columbia blew up. It was to be followed by the Constellation program, which Barack Obama cancelled.

If NASA is going to continue working with private companies, things can only get better. Having to rely primarily on the government for financing was the worst thing about the space program. Money coming from someplace else is the best thing that could have happened.

 

[UTtoyfan]

I'm so jealous of all you guys who witnessed the launch. Living 5 minutes away from Mission Control in Houston, I can tell you all yesterday was a bittersweet day for us here. Godspeed Atlantis!!!

 

[Mesa]

He did. Right after Columbia blew up. It was to be followed by the Constellation program, which Barack Obama cancelled.

If NASA is going to continue working with private companies, things can only get better. Having to rely primarily on the government for financing was the worst thing about the space program. Money coming from someplace else is the best thing that could have happened.

This is what I'm hearing too. Privatize it, let businesses fund it, and try to profit from it. I guess I'm wondering how you profit from exploration or R&D though.


Re: Russia. I would make sure our astronauts were very careful in what sort of information they shared with our new partners in space. I would also think this would be a great opportunity for the Russians to steal secrets and technology from the US since we are going to have to rely on them to get back into space.

 

[gibby]

This is what I'm hearing too. Privatize it, let businesses fund it, and try to profit from it. I guess I'm wondering how you profit from exploration or R&D though.

Sell people like Richard Branson a seat on the Dream Chaser.

 

[Mesa]

Sell people like Richard Branson a seat on the Dream Chaser.

Isn't that what the plan is already? $50,000 for a ride in space. But how many takers would there really be? Who has an extra 50k lying around these days to spend on something like this? And is that really enough to fund even a single flight? And I don't know if someone that wealthy is wanting to risk their life for a quick thrill in space.

I was wondering what the impact will be to business. Didn't the shuttle launch all sorts of satellites for companies; satellite TV, phones(?), etc. etc.? What happens as those satellites starts to expire and need to be replaced? I think you can do the same thing with unmanned rockets carrying satellites as its payload, but does the US even launch those anymore?

wasn't Richard Branson killed a little bit ago?