STS-135 - The Final Space Shuttle Mission

Merlin5 · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:35

That seemed extraordinarily fast from launch to releasing the SRB's, faster than normal, though obviously it's the same length of time as usual.

Demoniser · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:35

Sods law. The internet decided to have a spazz attack at t minus 1 minute.

Lost stream. Annoyingly this isn't the first time it's happened when watching a launch.

I really hate virgin sometimes.

Oh well, will watch in hd on youtube later on.

Berserker · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:36

Ahleckz said:
Can the boosters be navigated after they are released, or is it just mavity and hope that they don't land on someone's head?

Whatever's left of the fuel, plus mavity.

The only heads within a hundred miles are the rescue ships, so on their heads be it!

Westyfield2 · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:36

Godspeed Atlantis.

Berserker · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:37

Nominal MECO. ET Sep. Go +X, Go Pitch.

Farewell SSME!

Cosimo · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:38

Main engine cut-off and tank separation.

Skillmister · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:38

FFS! Missed this one aswell.

Merlin5 · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:38

Doing 4 miles a second. I've got to drive 20 miles tonight. Imagine getting there in 5 seconds.

Vulcan · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:40

Skillmister said:
FFS! Missed this one aswell.

Don't worry, you can catch the next one.

Admiral Huddy · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:42

Amazing images. To see the Earth's curve come into view within minutes.. Just wow !

Twiggy1986 · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:42

4 miles a second :eek:

thats mind blowing!

Dandle · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:46

Amazing and sad.

trigger-happy · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:46

very awesome launch there

reflux · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:47

Great to witness. Glad it went well.

Cosimo · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:50

Merlin5 said:
Doing 4 miles a second. I've got to drive 20 miles tonight. Imagine getting there in 5 seconds.

I'll see if I can get back to the beach at 145km/hr.

Freakbro · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:54

Some great different camera angles on these launch replays

MoratJG · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:57

I don't mind admitting I had a lump in my throat watching that. I'm of the generation that grew up with the shuttle, and I've been there for the good and bad. Perhaps it's time the program finally retires, but I will really miss it. I hope that we continue to push out there - I can't imagine (as sentient beings) not continuing to ask questions, and keep exploring.

Honestly, I consider it to be perhaps the pinnacle of human achievement.

FreeStream · 8 Jul 2011 at 16:57

Bah. Missed it by 5 mins.

Boo.

PermaBanned · 8 Jul 2011 at 17:03

I was talking to a friend before launch who didn't get what the fuss was about and said i was addicted. Since they couldn't follow the seemingly simple instruction of 'click this link at this time' i showed them the 'Ascent Imagery Highlights' of STS-134. And i quote: "Beautiful, just...beautiful. I'll never doubt you again."

That was the power of the Shuttle in action, right there.

LordSplodge · 8 Jul 2011 at 17:08

Stopped working in the office to watch that. Everybody was glued to my monitor. Such a sad day.

Godspeed Atlantis

My Facebook status:

Mankind belongs amongst the stars. With the loss of the Shuttle and no replacement we have for the first time in the history of mankind gone backwards not forwards.

We can achieve so much should we but put our minds to it. If we had but the will we could be amongst the stars by now.

Alas we are descending into a world of petty wars, hatred for those who are different and Reality bloody TV.