Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off for the last time

[CowboyDan]

After 2-week delay, injured congresswoman watches husband go into space

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43039749/ns/technology_and_science-space/?GT1=43001

I was lucky enough to watch it this morning before work. It gives me chills every time. Can you imagine the anxiety they must be experiencing, waiting on the launch pad during countdown?
Not sure if our fellow zoner Signals got a chance to see the launch before he ships off to Bama, but I know he had planned on going to the first attempt. Unfortunately it got delayed.
Glad Gabby Giffords got to see the liftoff. By the way, from what I understand, they haven't told her what actually happened to her yet....she thinks she was in a car accident. I wonder when they will let her know the truth.

 

[Yeagermeister]

After 2-week delay, injured congresswoman watches husband go into space

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43039749/ns/technology_and_science-space/?GT1=43001

I was lucky enough to watch it this morning before work. It gives me chills every time. Can you imagine the anxiety they must be experiencing, waiting on the launch pad during countdown?
Not sure if our fellow zoner Signals got a chance to see the launch before he ships off to Bama, but I know he had planned on going to the first attempt. Unfortunately it got delayed.
Glad Gabby Giffords got to see the liftoff. By the way, from what I understand, they haven't told her what actually happened to her yet....she thinks she was in a car accident. I wonder when they will let her know the truth.

I've always wanted to see a launch but thanks to my inlaws coming in to town for the 4th I won't get to see one. :

 

[Phoenix]

I rarely miss a launch or a landing, although I think Endeavor's scheduled landing at 2:30 AM EDT on June 1st might be a bit too late for me this time around.

Gonna try to be in Cape Canaveral for the final scheduled shuttle launch.

And that is correct...I watched Gifford's office team interview yesterday on NASA TV, and she has not yet been fully made aware of what happened to her.

 

[CowboyDan]

I rarely miss a launch or a landing, although I think Endeavor's scheduled landing at 2:30 AM EDT on June 1st might be a bit too late for me this time around.

Gonna try to be in Cape Canaveral for the final scheduled shuttle launch.

And that is correct...I watched Gifford's office team interview yesterday on NASA TV, and she has not yet been fully made aware of what happened to her.

What do you think of that? I guess it's to keep her from any shocking news until after she's fully recovered, but something about it rubs me slightly the wrong way. I guess I just wonder how long they're planning on keeping it from her.

 

[Wimbo]

Was anyone else disappointed the first time you saw the space shuttle? I remember the very first time I saw it...
As a child of the 1970's I fully expected it to look like this:

... the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

 

[Phoenix]

What do you think of that? I guess it's to keep her from any shocking news until after she's fully recovered, but something about it rubs me slightly the wrong way. I guess I just wonder how long they're planning on keeping it from her.

Dunno really. I trust that those close to her and around her are doing the right thing.

 

[Phoenix]

Was anyone else disappointed the first time you saw the space shuttle? I remember the very first time I saw it...
As a child of the 1970's I fully expected it to look like this:



... the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

Not me. First time was at Scott AFB, Ill. Watched the Enterprise fly in on the back of a 747 for an air show. We got to go on board her...it was so cool! Of course, not much of the electronics were installed on the prototype. That was, what '83 or '84 I forget. Then last year, I saw Enterprise again at the Dulles Smithsonian, but nowadays she is all roped off and nobody can go aboard. It's always a thrill for me.

The Saturn V on the front lawn of Johnson Space Center in Houston is very impressive as well.

 

[rynochop]

How the speed and elevation exponentially increases is what amazes me. Its like 2 minutes and the damn thing is almost in space already.