Last Atlantis shuttle launch tonight

http://www.spacevidcast.com/


Around 7.20pm ish, depending on weather.

Yes its sad, but its honestly woth watching the launch for 10 minutes until it makes it into orbit. They usually have some really good footage, from the fuel tank as the rocket boosters and Orbitor detatch as they enter space etc.

Theres only a few shuttle launches left, so its something you won't get to see ever again soon and its only 10 minutes or so.

Then you can watch over the mission days as they approach the space station, attach the new research module, I watched them take out a satalite a few months back and repair some items which was qutie interesting to watch, earth in the background etc.

Anyway, sharing for all if your interested.

I've watched loads now, even saw a tile coming off the shuttle a year or so back as it seperatated from the fuel tank. I've watch them deploy things, fix hubble, join modules to the ISS, each time its been quite interesting. Good if nothings on TV to just kick back and watch.

It's really sad that the shuttle's going and not being replaced with something equally as iconic and inspiring.

It'll be the end of an era.

[Nobbylad]

I'll never forgive myself for missing out watching a launch live in Florida a couple of years ago. We were on hols and slept in the morning it took off

I remember being ushered into the school hall to watch the 1st ever shuttle launch....no plasma tellies in them days....just a MASSIVE colourvision tele on a big stand! lol

[Sir Trev]

Rather like Concord it will be such a shame when they stop flying the orbiters. I know they're dreadfully outdated but as you say Daimo the iconic status is priceless. I read about it on the BBC news site earlier today - the first of the "lasts" - last flight of Atlantis.

[ophic]

but due to the long development time, any solution is outdated by the time it's in service. And the huge investment required means it has to stay in service for a long time.

What are the replacement plans?

There are none. No more shuttles.

They had planned a rocket project called "Orion" but Obama has put a hold on it till 2014.

Instead the Russians have a similar UAV type vehicle that will transport supplies and crew changes to the ISS during the meantime.

America now hasn't got anything planned till about 2025 when they are going to chase a comet. So much for mars

Well- that was the first live shuttle launch I've watched.

Felt a great sense of wonder, mixed with sadness.

I guess, given the current economic climate, it must be hard to justify such missions, so they've been delayed.

I do hope they eventually replace the Shuttle with something just as iconic.

Is the Soyuz reused? Surely, it's more economical to have a re-usable manned orbiter?

I read interviews with NASA chiefs who still believe they will see manned Mars missions in their lifetimes. I guess we've really got to improve the power and mass issues.... Not to mention 3 year mission times...

Seen some recorded launches before, but live was much nicer

Will be a real shame when they no longer fly

I remember the first launch , that was an event that cleared the streets and had people glued to heir TV`s , probably drew as many viewers as a Royal Wedding . They don`t make `em like they used to and other such Rose Tinted sayings .

[Richie]

I remember bunking off school to watch the first launch.... next day at school I asked my mate what they did when I was home watching the launch... he said, watching the launch in the assembly hall and eating jelly and ice cream and then a party in the afternoon....

I never bunked off school again... :0)