STS-135 - The Final Space Shuttle Mission

PermaBanned · 1 Jul 2011 at 15:34

AmTechFox said:
Going to be emotional for a lot of people, qeustion though, is it solely down to the Soyuz now for replenishing / refuelling the ISS?

I don't think so, it will be the only way of getting people to and from the station but supplies can be carried on Progress vehicles (which are launched on a Soyuz rocket) and i believe the ESA has a couple more of it's own ATVs left to launch on Ariane 5s.

Cosimo · 3 Jul 2011 at 07:56

Cosimo · 4 Jul 2011 at 14:05

There are no reported issues. The crew will arrive later today and the countdown clocks will start at 18:00 BST (13:00 EDT) tomorrow.

Cosimo · 5 Jul 2011 at 18:23

Ok, the clocks are ticking, no technical issues but the forecast for Friday is a little dodgy.

PermaBanned · 5 Jul 2011 at 18:31

Well a delay wouldn't exactly be unheard of would it?

I forget, did we ever discuss the resignation of Mark Kelly?

Cosimo · 5 Jul 2011 at 18:37

PermaBanned said:
Well a delay wouldn't exactly be unheard of would it?

Just think I could have some extra time on the beach.

MarkA · 5 Jul 2011 at 18:56

I will be following this!

PermaBanned · 6 Jul 2011 at 01:03

Well worth a watch:

Cosimo · 6 Jul 2011 at 07:51

sbi5ar · 6 Jul 2011 at 10:05

PermaBanned said:
Well worth a watch:

Thoroughly enjoyed watching that... Seen a few of the clips used in it before in other promotional videos but a great watch and makes me sad that the shuttle fleet is retiring

Cosimo · 6 Jul 2011 at 14:11

Launch forecast now down to 30% favourable for Friday. At 40% for Saturday and 60% for Sunday.

ScarySquirrel · 6 Jul 2011 at 14:14

Sorry if this has been asked, but until there are new spacecraft to take people to space, how will they get people to and from the ISS? Rely on the Russians?

Domo · 7 Jul 2011 at 08:50

ScarySquirrel said:
Sorry if this has been asked, but until there are new spacecraft to take people to space, how will they get people to and from the ISS? Rely on the Russians?

For the time being yes. Soyuz will transport personnel while the European ATV will shuttle supplies and remove waste. The ATV remains attached to the ISS for some time, and even boosts it's altitude (something the shuttle once did).

sbi5ar · 7 Jul 2011 at 09:04

If the launch is delayed on Friday, does anyone know the times of the next possible launches on Sat and Sun?

I'm meant to be traveling on sunday for a couple of hours and don't want to miss this if it gets postponed

PermaBanned · 7 Jul 2011 at 16:11

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/news/newsid_9531000/9531949.stm

Hmm... hit and miss? Also - why is this thread so quiet. It's one day 'till the planned launch!

Glaucus · 7 Jul 2011 at 16:14

Most of us are probably lurkers and not much to do other than watch your videos. Realy enjoyed the hour and a bit one about the space shuttle program.

PermaBanned · 7 Jul 2011 at 16:23

In which case:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-13924591

MarkA · 7 Jul 2011 at 20:46

Great pictures! Some of them give me goosebumps!

Westyfield2 · 7 Jul 2011 at 21:23

Not sure whether I'll be able to watch it if it launches as planned tomorrow

, though I'll give it a damn good go. Got WiFi at the hotel and a local 3G SIM in my iPad (data on my iPhone would be something stupid like £3.50/MB) but I reckon I'll be out at sea at the time of the launch... fingers crossed there'll be cellular coverage out there!

Mik3 · 7 Jul 2011 at 23:27

Very sad that this is the end of the shuttles.

Also James Webb telescope will probably be cancelled now.

Sad day for astronuts.