The last flight of Discovery

[Max]

Discovery launches for the final time

30 years of dedicated service as part of the world's only reusable space fleet

This american is pretty damned proud

Be safe



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110224/..._space_shuttle

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Watched it live on TV

I'm gonna be sad when the last shuttle flight takes off in April. The shuttle program has been around most of my entire life. It will be a sad day when they stop flying

And I am so glad that they decided to end the shuttle program while there is no replacement for them yet so that the United States, the leader in space travel for more than 50 years, will now need to rely on the Russians to get us into space.

[Godfather]

It's crazy what Discovery and the last shuttle flights represent. Pretty amazing. I remember having books on the Shuttles when I was a kid, and going to Florida to visit NASA was something I'll always remember. The entire Shuttle Program is simply awe-inspiring. From the vehicles to the buildings to the mobile platforms to the minds involved...

Like Lance, I'm still baffled there's going to be no replacement when they retire. This has been planned for a decade and yet there's nothing even close to ready. I'm disappointed in all involved, and that includes the Canadian space program which will be affected by this as well. Not having a way into space 50 years after America first went there is... disturbing.

Leaving the return-vehicle system behind all together too seems like a step backwards too... but I guess nobody is willing to spend the money on advancing our species and planet these days Every man for themselves