Today, after 133 launches spanning nearly three decades, the era of the Space Shuttle is set to close with one final launch. Atlantis is currently on the launchpad, fueled, loaded with her four man crew and ready to delivery supplies to the ISS. It’s a bittersweet day as an exciting time in the US’s space history comes to a close, but unfortunately due to budget constraints rather than replacement with a new launch vehicle.
The launch is scheduled for 11:26 EDT today, but it might not happen. The weather isn’t cooperating but Launch Director Mike Leinbach told the launch team, “We do have a shot at this today.” If today’s launch is scrubbed, they will try again tomorrow.
NASA has the social media thing down. There are several different venues to follow along. The Ustream feed is embedded after the jump and NASA’s official Twitter feed is understandable active this morning. Xeni Jardin also happens to be on site and is liveblogging the event. Follow her updates here. → Read More
Don’t fret if NASA passed up your place as one of the Shuttles’ permanent homes as there are plenty of avation icons to go around. Like this Concorde. It’s only $150k. But there’s a catch. Yeah, there’s always a damn catch, but in this case I think it’s better this way. → Read More
Well this stinks. Space Shuttle Discovery is in the closing stages of preparation for its final flight ever. After that I guess American astronauts will have to hitchhike their way into orbit, which is pretty lame, I think you’ll agree. The launch is scheduled for November 1. → Read More
The very last Space Shuttle flight will take place on February 26, 2011. After that, American astronauts will have to bum rides with the Russians if they want to visit the International Space Station. Shame. → Read More
The Space Shuttle Endeavour was suppose to deliver the final piece of Japan’s Kibo laboratory today. She was suppose to take seven astronauts into space, including four that had never made the trip before. But that was before a hydrogen leak was found, which delayed the launch. → Read More
In case you didn’t check out the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch live on NASA TV, here it is. This video is nothing considering the launch is being filmed in IMAX 3D, which should be absolutely eff’n spectacular. Anyway, we have two videos after the jump: one is of the NASA TV feed and another one through the eyes of a random spectator. → Read More
Yesterday, we took a look at the Space Shuttle’s cockpit with it’s almost vintage look. Today, we have a look at the first privately funded sub-orbital vehicle’s cockpit. It looks a tad different. In fact, I dare say you could count all the buttons and switches on two hands within SpaceShipOne’s interior. Got to love the off-the-shelf GPS mounted above the main screen too. Classic. → Read More
Who doesn’t enjoy a little rocket ship pr0n? Gigantic pic of the Space Shuttle cockpit after the break. It’s huge! → Read More
Bet: How much Steely Dan do they have? And they say our space program is decrepit and “out of it!” The astronauts — or should I say ROCK-O-NAUTS — on the Endeavour have an iPod in the front window. I wonder if the vast vacuum of space makes Amy Winehouse less annoying? Pic via TUAW → Read More
