STS-135: The Last Launch of the Shuttle

Oberon · 07-08-11, 07:44 AM

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

Godspeed.

frau kaleun · 07-08-11, 07:53 AM

According to the news I just heard, it may be delayed due to weather conditions. I think if it doesn't go off today the next possible launch date is the 16th.

Oberon · 07-08-11, 08:36 AM

Looking at about T-55 at the moment, so far so good.

TarJak · 07-08-11, 08:43 AM

Live countdown clock here: http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/cdt/

EDIT: The REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT tag has been removed. T-25. Looks good to go so far.

Herr-Berbunch · 07-08-11, 10:17 AM

T-9 and off hold

Edit T-2

Noooo, hold again at -31 seconds

It's off

Subnuts · 07-08-11, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

It's off

Or not...

Oberon · 07-08-11, 10:36 AM

Yeah, I think the circuit indicating the Fuel tank cap (Gaseous Vent Arm) had swung clear of the shuttle didn't fire properly so it had to be checked visually through a camera.

Either way, a good launch, good work to all those involved.

Oberon · 07-08-11, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subnuts

Or not...

I think he meant "It's off" as in "It's taken off"

Skybird · 07-08-11, 10:55 AM

Recently, the Shuttle turned into a two-edged sword, in my perception. I grew up with its announcement and then first missions launched, when I was a schoolboy. It was exciting, fascinating, it had magic. But this article:

http://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/welt...le-Traums.html

taught me that it was anything but magioc, but was a royal economic disaster that did not held the promises for cost reduction that it's defenders promised, also it was not as trend-forming as claimed, it was a pürogram poorly managed and technical maintencnes was overly complictaed due to it having allowed to turn into an overly complicated machine.

My heart is pro shuttle, but my mind, if this article points out correct facts, necessarily must be asking qhy it has not been buried many years earlier. They quote a US poll on the most appreciated acchievements of American space program in that article, and to my surprise the Shuttle just made fourth place (I expected it on two, behind the moon landing).

It was terribly expensive, it hgelped to turn NASA fiancnes into what they are now, and it did not deliver to all the promsies that were made. Also, it consumed too many of NASA's resources for too long - resources whose lacking investement into non-Shuttle issues NASA is feeling now. Let'S face it - it is high time that the shuttle gets buried.It seems it already stayed far too long.

But the heart is bleeding, yes, I admit that. But more important are the questions: What now, Nasa? and How to pay for it?

I'm currently reading "Limit", the latest blockbuster thriller by German author Frank Schätzing, the guy behind "Der Schwarm" (a book I have read four times in three years). There they have build the spacelift into geostationary orbit, and private companies have left states and nations (and especially NASA) behind with their ambitious space programs, running much , more efficient because they bypass the bureaucratic hurdles and political inefficiency. Like often with Schätzing, whose later books are a mixture of fact-oriented science report, science fiction and thrill, I think that he probably forsees things correctly in this regard.

Nice to read, btw, it is pulling you through those 1300 pages of "Limit" like nothing. Recommended for German readers if you seek for some entertaining reading. Schätzing really knows how to do it. But if it will become as thrilling as "Der Schwarm", remains to be seen...

Herr-Berbunch · 07-08-11, 10:57 AM

I did mean it's lifted off. But it also separated lovely.

That was fantastic images from that camera, the curvature of Earth appearing, the blue and white swirls getting faster and faster, the plasma appearing just before separation...

AVGWarhawk · 07-08-11, 10:59 AM

Sad to see the last launch.

AVGWarhawk · 07-08-11, 12:58 PM

emymc · 07-08-11, 01:04 PM

Good night and good luck.

Onkel Neal · 07-08-11, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Sad to see the last launch.

That's the end of America as the #1 space power.

AVGWarhawk · 07-08-11, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

That's the end of America as the #1 space power.

I understand we now will use Russian rockets to get materials into space.

07-08-11, 08:43 AM	#4
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Live countdown clock here: http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/cdt/ EDIT: The REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT tag has been removed. T-25. Looks good to go so far. Last edited by TarJak; 07-08-11 at 09:06 AM.

07-08-11, 10:17 AM	#5
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	T-9 and off hold Edit T-2 Noooo, hold again at -31 seconds It's off __________________ Last edited by Herr-Berbunch; 07-08-11 at 10:29 AM.

07-08-11, 10:55 AM	#9
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Recently, the Shuttle turned into a two-edged sword, in my perception. I grew up with its announcement and then first missions launched, when I was a schoolboy. It was exciting, fascinating, it had magic. But this article: http://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/welt...le-Traums.html taught me that it was anything but magioc, but was a royal economic disaster that did not held the promises for cost reduction that it's defenders promised, also it was not as trend-forming as claimed, it was a pürogram poorly managed and technical maintencnes was overly complictaed due to it having allowed to turn into an overly complicated machine. My heart is pro shuttle, but my mind, if this article points out correct facts, necessarily must be asking qhy it has not been buried many years earlier. They quote a US poll on the most appreciated acchievements of American space program in that article, and to my surprise the Shuttle just made fourth place (I expected it on two, behind the moon landing). It was terribly expensive, it hgelped to turn NASA fiancnes into what they are now, and it did not deliver to all the promsies that were made. Also, it consumed too many of NASA's resources for too long - resources whose lacking investement into non-Shuttle issues NASA is feeling now. Let'S face it - it is high time that the shuttle gets buried.It seems it already stayed far too long. But the heart is bleeding, yes, I admit that. But more important are the questions: What now, Nasa? and How to pay for it? I'm currently reading "Limit", the latest blockbuster thriller by German author Frank Schätzing, the guy behind "Der Schwarm" (a book I have read four times in three years). There they have build the spacelift into geostationary orbit, and private companies have left states and nations (and especially NASA) behind with their ambitious space programs, running much , more efficient because they bypass the bureaucratic hurdles and political inefficiency. Like often with Schätzing, whose later books are a mixture of fact-oriented science report, science fiction and thrill, I think that he probably forsees things correctly in this regard. Nice to read, btw, it is pulling you through those 1300 pages of "Limit" like nothing. Recommended for German readers if you seek for some entertaining reading. Schätzing really knows how to do it. But if it will become as thrilling as "Der Schwarm", remains to be seen... __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-08-11, 10:57 AM	#10
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I did mean it's lifted off. But it also separated lovely. That was fantastic images from that camera, the curvature of Earth appearing, the blue and white swirls getting faster and faster, the plasma appearing just before separation... __________________

07-08-11, 10:59 AM	#11
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,254 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Sad to see the last launch. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-08-11, 07:44 AM	#1
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	STS-135: The Last Launch of the Shuttle http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ Godspeed.

07-08-11, 07:53 AM	#2
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	According to the news I just heard, it may be delayed due to weather conditions. I think if it doesn't go off today the next possible launch date is the 16th.

07-08-11, 08:36 AM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Looking at about T-55 at the moment, so far so good.

07-08-11, 10:36 AM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Yeah, I think the circuit indicating the Fuel tank cap (Gaseous Vent Arm) had swung clear of the shuttle didn't fire properly so it had to be checked visually through a camera. Either way, a good launch, good work to all those involved.

07-08-11, 12:58 PM	#12
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,254 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	__________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-08-11, 01:04 PM	#13
emymc Bilge Rat Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1 Downloads: 179 Uploads: 0	Good night and good luck.