(Courtesy of dno1967b)
Today marks the end of a 30 year stretch. The final space shuttle launches.
I have such fond memories growing up on the Space Coast of Florida. Sitting on top of the car, pulled over on the side of the road, to see the launch. Watching the smoke trail climb higher and higher until it finally disappeared. The sound of my Dad’s radio set to KSC’s Launch Control. Feeling the “boom” of the boosters hitting the ocean.
And while it was an expensive program, it's sad to see the shuttle program come to a close. Manned space flight isn't ending - but it's taking a new course. NASA has other projects in the works, like deep space exploration.
Until then: Here's to you, Atlantis STS-135.
Over Christmas, I stayed up until 2 am with my Dad talking about the first moon landing. He explained the complicated logistics behind it all, much to my confusion. So, to illustrate, he set up a diagram of all the pieces required for space flight...using Christmas candies. Daddy, you are the smartest person I know. And that Dos Equis guy has nothing on you.
