After watching the final space shuttle launch today it made me think of the one we went to in Florida. We saw the STS-117 Space Shuttle Atlantis launch on June 8, 2007. We watched from Titusville, FL. Even though we were miles away you could hear and feel the rumble of the engines. After the launch was successful the crowd roared with excitement - it felt like you were back in time taking part in the Russia/US space race. No matter what you couldn't help but have a rush of adrenaline - good old fashioned all American adrenaline. Here is a picture we took.
The program formally started in 1972, but the first orbiter didn't launch until 1981. There has been a little over 130 orbiter launches. 6 different types of orbiters were built Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Discovery, Endeavour, and Enterprise. Enterprise never actually launched in to space. There are two solid rocket boosters and 3 main engines all powered by liquid nitrogen and oxygen. It reaches a speed of ~ 17,500 mph to be able to orbit around the earth.
Anyway, I think space is really cool. I love watching any program on space, planets, etc. I think it is the mystery of it that makes it so intriguing to learn about and watch. I hope the next phase for NASA is just as exciting.... maybe Mars, anywhere past the Int'l space station.. who knows.
In the words of Captain Picard, "Space... The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. It's continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before" This is what I hope for the future of NASA.
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