The Space Shuttle Discovery just made its 39th and final flight into space at 4:53 PM EST. After much delay (first scheduled to launch in November), it is good to see it get off the ground, but a somber moment in the age of space exploration.
Discovery will be in space for 11 days, manned by 6 astronauts, and providing components for the International Space Station. This includes Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space. I hope the mission goes smoothly and they all make it back to the Earth.
The last scheduled launch is Space Shuttle Endeavour, set for April 19th. Atlantis is tentatively scheduled for launch during the summer, depending on its need and funding.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Last mission of Discovery (STS-133)
5:47 PM
Astronomy Pirate
Posted in 
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31 comments:
Thats what I call getting your moneys worth. That thing cost a few hundred million.
Amazing that the huge facination and expectation for space exploration of the late 60's and early 70's has withered away to near nothing. I hope it gets a second wind soon.
good luck to the astronauts. hopefully this launch is a success!
I'm so glad I found this blog! Its so neat to hear about all the new space adventures going on.
last one eh? very exciting.
The beginning of the end. With no sure replacement in sight. Meh. Go NASA.
Tragic that it's the last mission. NASA is vital to the future of the US and to humanity.
I watched this on cnn today, It was kinda sad knowing it's the last one
I feel like space exploration has died down in the last decade, glad to hear its going on .
I simply can't accept that this is the last United States space shuttle mission. It just hasn't sunk in yet, why is it we can pay trillions to destroy a country that presented no danger to us, but we can explore the stars in the shuttle anymore?
Aaron, this is the last for this shuttle, there are still 1 or 2 more mission. However, after that, its pretty open. Although NASA has been important up until now, they have been developing new technologies and pushing the frontier. It isn't so bad letting commercial space flight to start happening. I look forward to Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Bigelow Aerospace, and the other companies have in store for us.
I have to say that commercial space flight sounds pretty awesome.
glad to hear space exploration is still progressing!
I really can't wait to see where space travel goes. I think commercial spaceflight is a really good help overall but I wouldn't mind it if there was another program like Apollo again. I can keep dreaming....
Space really is our frontier now... I hope NASA continues to get good funding...
Good to hear!
Nasa had its run, gotta let the new kids learn though haha.
Nice to know though
thanks bro
sounds cool thanks for sharing.
I took an astronomy class in college, it was so cool!
I just wish NASA would get more funding. Friggin military taking half the taxes.
I watched the launch today!
Genuinely interesting.
when i lived in fort lauderdale i could watch all of the launching's from my driveway
its sad if the NASA stops launching space shuttles. It's extremely important and useful. I don't know if Russia and Europe will continue too.
Wish NASA had more funding, space flight is something I want to see expanded.
Houston, we have a problem.
wow I want to be in space too
thats strang
i havent heard anything about this
It's sad to see the shuttles retiring but the newer rockets are a lot better from what I've heard.
Thanks for the information. Good stuff. Keep posting, your posts are very informative! Thank you!
@Space Marine,
I use to live in Ft. Laud. too. It was nice being able to see the launches.
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