Space Shuttle Atlantis Final Launch Live Thread (07/08/11 11:26 EDT)

07/07/11 | Kevin Davis

[He Rides A White Horse]

I thought the first was the last. I think a culture of invincibility existed in NASA. The launch on a cold day and the failure of the "O" rings.

The second was a real shocker. Not to downplay Challenger. Whenever I see footage of Challenger, I get upset. I was at work and me and my boss were watching it on TV. I knew it was wrong when it happened. Man.

[He Rides A White Horse]

I hear you. As I noted, Challengers "O" rings failed. What was Columbia? Tile failure on a leading wing edge, burn through, and then an uncontrolled yaw?

I do get you point, however. I have heard it said that a tragedy is not one event, but a series of small mishaps at the wrong time combining to create a disaster. Something like that.

[DoughtyOne]

Agreed...

[Gabz]

“Godspeed” was the word used today for the Atlantis from the folks at Wallops Island. I follow their feeds when they have launches going because I live so close. They’ve had to scrub sounding launches 3 days running this week, primarily due to weather. That launch is now looking at Saturday if Atlantis goes off as planned tomorrow.

I got some awesome pix from the big launch last week.

[ClaudiusI]

I hope they use the Stargate:Atlantis theme as one of the wake-up tunes during the mission. :D

[Names Ash Housewares]

[Moonman62]

Well it was good ride.. But like all good things it must come to the end... To me the biggest accomplishment was for the first time in human history we built something in space (unless the Lanteans already did it)..

They must have called it Mir.

[Moonman62]

Now, after tomorrow we won't have a way to get back to it in the foreseeable future.

Spacex could probably do it within a year if it absolutely had to be done.

[DoughtyOne]

I would like to think you are right. I will say that I am rather cautious about SpaceX. It’s my hope that they can reach the level of success they have charted for themselves. I am going to have to admit to being skeptical though.

There’s no real tangible reason for it other than the astronomical requirements to reach these lofty goals.

[KevinDavis]

That would be neat..

[Truth29]

The symbolism of the ending of the US manned space flight capability is immensely important to Obama. It is a signature accomplishment. Now NASA can turn to important tasks like Muslim outreach and global climate change.

[Reagan69]

That shuttle ain’t going nowhere today. Florida is covered in clouds and bad rain.

[Carlucci]

Hatch is closed. Wonder if they think there’s a chance of launching, or if they just want to reward the ground crew with some overtime. ;)

After all, they will be jobless soon.

[ShadowAce]

Live video feed

[John W]

The astronaut providing color commentary on HDNet this morning, Mike Massimino, is quite a personality, actually offering some humor and some cutting comments.

[Carlucci]

Weather is “go” at the hold at 9 minutes. Need the weather to hold up for about 45 more minutes.

[NonValueAdded]

Bittersweet

[BuckeyeTexan]

Me too. I watched both of those accidents in person. The latter from the parking lot of my high school in Titusville and the former a lifetime later through the sunroof of my car in DFW.

[NonValueAdded]

"... when it dares to be bold
and commits to follow through"

[Carlucci]

Did I hear right? They took a waiver on RTLS weather?

That’s a first, no?