Last Flight of Discovery: Thursday, 4:50pm EST

[Donger]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110222/ap_on_sc/us_space_shuttle

Live web coverage here: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[DMAC]

5 dudes, one chick.

[BigMeatballDave]

Is this the final Shuttle mission?

I think the Discovery is supposed to be on display at the Air Force museum just down the road from me. I know one of the Shuttles will be here, just not sure which one.

[Donger]

Is this the final Shuttle mission?

I think the Discovery is supposed to be on display at the Air Force museum just down the road from me. I know one of the Shuttles will be here, just not sure which one.

No. There will be one more (maybe two) after Discovery.

[Donger]

Discovery is fully-fueled and weather is looking good.

[blaise]

If they want the American public to support NASA they should stage a mock space battle with lasers up there. The shuttle could shoot down a fake alien spaceship.

[mlyonsd]

LOL I swear I looked for a thread on this.

[bevischief]

There is a private group looking into see if they can keep them flying till the replacement is online.

[teedubya]

If they want the American public to support NASA they should stage a mock space battle with lasers up there. The shuttle could shoot down a fake alien spaceship.

I'm pretty sure the fake alien ships idea has been tossed around.

Watch the video game that FEMA made for kids to prepare them for aliens and earthquakes.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6g2oJiTbnv8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have always loved the space shuttle though... I look forward to seeing the new ships soon.

Donger, when are the new ones gonna start launching?

[Rausch]

There is a private group looking into see if they can keep them flying till the replacement is online.

I'm pretty sure it is...

[mnchiefsguy]

There is a private group looking into see if they can keep them flying till the replacement is online.

Did not know that? You have any other info on who the group is and what they have planned?

It would be very cool to keep the shuttles running, and if the private sector can do it, limiting the cost to the taxpayer, that would be a bonus.

[Jethopper]

If they want the American public to support NASA they should stage a mock space battle with lasers up there. The shuttle could shoot down a fake alien spaceship.

Or show Event Horizon on every channel all day

[Donger]

There is a private group looking into see if they can keep them flying till the replacement is online.

What?

[Donger]

Wow, I hadn't heard this:

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/02/space-shuttles.php

NASA has already promised its space shuttle fleet to museums after their last launch later this year. Instead, a private company has made a proposal to buy up two of the shuttles and keep them flying commercially.

Most of the people involved in the space shuttle program aren't actually working for NASA. Instead, they're contractors, working for a company called United Space Alliance, which is a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. USA has thousands employees, and they're the people who do all of the processing and operational work on the space shuttle fleet.

Instead of just packing up the generally reliable and still fully operational shuttle program and firing the vast majority of the people involved, USA is asking NASA to let it take things over and launch Atlantis and Endeavour twice a year carrying commercial cargo starting in 2013. It would be called the Commercial Shuttle Transportation Service, and it would cost only about $1.5 billion a year, some of which would hopefully be offset by the amount of cargo that could be carried on each launch. Plus, there'd likely be room for a couple extra passengers, too.

Part of the reason why this might make sense is that keeping a shuttle or two operational would ensure that the US has operational manned heavy lifting capability to the International Space Station until we can get our next launch system figured out, whether it's a NASA project or, more likely, a commercial system. Retiring the shuttles as planned would leave a gap of several years at the minimum where we'd have to rely on the Russians, and while there's nothing wrong with that, it's always good to have redundancy when you've got a bunch of people up there in a space station with no parachutes.

United Space Alliance recognizes that their its is "very much a long-shot," which it definitely is, and NASA isn't commenting on the concept. Personally I'd love to see the shuttles continue to fly, especially if it means a potentially cheaper civilian ticket to space.

[Donger]

I have always loved the space shuttle though... I look forward to seeing the new ships soon.

Donger, when are the new ones gonna start launching?

What new ones?

[Alton deFlat]

I'm hoping to make it to Florida to watch Endeavour launch in April.

[Donger]

Pumpkin suits being strapped in now. ~2:26 until launch.

[BigMeatballDave]

What new ones?Ares and Orion.

I think Orion is the crew module and Ares is the launch vehicle.

[Demonpenz]

Ares and Orion.

I think Orion is the crew module and Ares is the launch vehicle.

Can't Wait

[DMAC]

Can't Wait

ROFL

Thanks Bart Scott.

[Demonpenz]

lets go eat a god damn snack

[Donger]

T-20:00 and holding. This is a built-in hold.

[Donger]

T-17:30 and counting. Apparently they dinged the crew door closing it and damaged some f*cking tiles...

[Donger]

T-15:00 and counting. One hour to launch.

[Donger]

LMAO

They duct taped the damaged tile.

[ClevelandBronco]

5 dudes, one chick.

Got a link? All I see on Donger's links is an antique space vehicle.

[Donger]

Got a link? All I see on Donger's links is an antique space vehicle.

Yeah she's old, but she's only got 142,917,535 miles on her.

[ClevelandBronco]

Yeah she's old, but she's only got 142,917,535 miles on her.

And they're all long-distance miles. Minimal commuter use.

[Donger]

T-9:00 and holding. This is the last built-in hold. Clock will run again around 4:41pm EST.

[LocoChiefsFan]

Is this the final Shuttle mission?

I think the Discovery is supposed to be on display at the Air Force museum just down the road from me. I know one of the Shuttles will be here, just not sure which one.

This IS the Discoverys 39th and final mission.

[Donger]

Range is RED. Need to reboot a PC!

[Alton deFlat]

Range is RED. Need to reboot a PC!

The PC probably locked up, because they were watching the maple syrup fight at Denny's on youtube.

[Donger]

The PC probably locked up, because they were watching the maple syrup fight at Denny's on youtube.

"If NASA used Macs, this wouldn't be necessary at all."

/Applefanboy

[Alton deFlat]

This IS the Discoverys 39th and final mission.

Yep.

Here are some facts.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/02/24/space-shuttle-discovery-numbers-nearly-27-years-nasas-space-workhorse/

and a link to live stream, ICYI

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3&hpt=T2

[Donger]

T-9:00 and counting. If they haven't fixed teh range issue by T-5:00, they'll hold there.

[Donger]

T-8:00

[Donger]

Retract orbiter access arm (T-7 minutes, 30 seconds)

[Alton deFlat]

I think they have a fairly small window in which to launch. Like 5 minutes after the scheduled launch. Hopefully, the computer problem gets repaired soon.

[DMAC]

sittin at 5

[Donger]

F*ck. T-5:00 and holding

[Donger]

1:30 left or it's a scrub

[Alton deFlat]

Sounding good for launch.

[Donger]

Yahoo! Fixed!

[Donger]

Range is GO!

[Donger]

T-5:00 and counting. APU start

[cdirty]

ahhhh.

too many countdowns!!! haha.

[LocoChiefsFan]

15 seconds left in todays launch window and the get the go ahead!! Thats crazy!!

[Donger]

Three good APUs

T-4:00

[Donger]

Helium purge of main engines. Flight control check

[Donger]

Beanie cap retract

[mikey23545]

Time for me to get to the front yard with my camera.

[Donger]

Crew close and lock visors.

[Donger]

Time for me to get to the front yard with my camera.

:grr:

[Donger]

Going to internal power.

[Donger]

Auto sequence start

[Donger]

Main engine start

[Donger]

SRB ignition and liftoff!

[Donger]

Tower clear, roll

[kstater]

Did it blow up? I like fireworks.

[Donger]

Roll complete, MAX Q

[Donger]

Throttle up

[Donger]

SRB sep, 2600mph 24 miles up

[Donger]

3,200 mph 37 miles up

[Alton deFlat]

Still looks cool after all those launches.

[Donger]

OMs engines burning

[Donger]

Press to ATO

[Donger]

4700 mph 50 up

Negative return

[Donger]

5200 mph 62 miles up

[LiveSteam]

Why is it ,that this is the last ?
Its bull shit if you ask me.

[Donger]

6200 mph 66 miles

[KCUnited]

Full fap a go, awaiting climax.

[Donger]

Single engine OPS 3

[Donger]

Going heads-up.

Single engine Saragossa

[4th and Long]

Throttle up
That phrase always makes me cringe.

"Challenger, go with throttle up."

"Rodger. Go with throttle up."

http://www.thestuffreview.com/gambar/Challenger_explosion.jpg

[Donger]

Press to MECO

[Donger]

That phrase always makes me cringe.

"Challenger, go with throttle up."

"Rodger. Go with throttle up."

http://www.thestuffreview.com/gambar/Challenger_explosion.jpg

Roger, not Rodger.

[Donger]

12,700 mph

[burt]

We got to the front yard in time to see it!

[Donger]

Engines throttling back, 14,000 mph

[4th and Long]

Roger, not Rodger.
:grr:

[Donger]

MECO! ET sep!

[Donger]

She's in orbit, folks!

[Donger]

OMs burn not required.

[KCUnited]

Climax achieved, tissues to bellybutton invoked.

[Donger]

And, I'm spent.

http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/1800000/austin-powes-austin-powers-1876695-480-415.jpg

[Donger]

:grr:

LMAO

[mikey23545]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6154/p1010134uh.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/p1010134uh.jpg/)


http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6559/p1010131e.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/p1010131e.jpg/)


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9982/p1010132kh.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1010132kh.jpg/)


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9982/p1010132kh.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1010132kh.jpg/)

[4th and Long]

LMAO
:p

[Donger]

Why is it ,that this is the last ?
Its bull shit if you ask me.

There's at least one more launch after this.

Basically, the shuttle has become a cargo ship for ISS. While it's neat, the Russians can do it with their birds.

I really DON'T like that we have to rely on them, however, until we get our new birds ready to fly.

[Donger]

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6154/p1010134uh.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/p1010134uh.jpg/)


http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6559/p1010131e.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/p1010131e.jpg/)


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9982/p1010132kh.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1010132kh.jpg/)


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9982/p1010132kh.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1010132kh.jpg/)

I hate you.

[mikey23545]

I hate you.

Too bad I didn't tape record that rumble...I would have posted that too.

[Rausch]

The fact that we no longer feel a need to fund NASA does not mean that we won't be in space...

[burt]

Too bad I didn't tape record that rumble...I would have posted that too.

The vapor trail was very faint by the time it crossed here. I wish I'd had a camara handy.

[Donger]

The vapor trail was very faint by the time it crossed here. I wish I'd had a camara handy.

:spock:

Aren't you the Gulf coast?

[Hydrae]

God speed and safe trip to the astronauts.

[mikey23545]

All kidding aside, Donger, it's great to see someone else who is as excited by space travel as I am.

I've lived in Florida my whole life, and I've seen so much history...Everything from man starting off for the moon, to space probes heading for the farthest planets, to shuttles that touched the cold of space over and over...

[Rausch]

There's at least one more launch after this.

Basically, the shuttle has become a cargo ship for ISS. While it's neat, the Russians can do it with their birds.

I really DON'T like that we have to rely on them, however, until we get our new birds ready to fly.

It's not so much that we have to as that we CAN...

[mikey23545]

Long story short her and my uncle worked on a number of NASA projects.


I have no doubt at all that we're still very active in space exploration...:evil:

I see you're going to make me beg, huh? LMAO

[Rausch]

I see you're going to make me beg, huh? LMAO

There won't be much to watch anymore where you're at...:evil:

[mikey23545]

There won't be much to watch anymore where you're at...:evil:

Time to sharpen the nuthooks, I see...

[mikey23545]

White Sands?

[mikey23545]

Vandenberg?

[Donger]

There won't be much to watch anymore where you're at...:evil:

I'm NOT moving to California.

[mikey23545]

I'm NOT moving to California.

Why, is living at the Trinity test site that exciting?

[Rausch]

Why, is living at the Trinity test site that exciting?

LMAO

[Donger]

Why, is living at the Trinity test site that exciting?

I never need to apply self-tanner. So, I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

[-King-]

How much would a shuttle even cost? 2 billion? More?
Posted via Mobile Device

[mlyonsd]

I DVR'd it and just got to watch.

Did you see that giant hunk of crap come off the main fuel tank and bounce down off the bottom of the shuttle? Couldn't tell if anything hit the wings.

[Donger]

I DVR'd it and just got to watch.

Did you see that giant hunk of crap come off the main fuel tank and bounce down off the bottom of the shuttle? Couldn't tell if anything hit the wings.

When? T+?

[Donger]

Gerstenmaier noted, and video showed, four pieces of foam tearing apart from the shuttle about four minutes into launch. But the NASA administrator called these incidents "typical" and likely harmless, since they came off "after the area of concern" when the atmosphere was so thin to make its impact negligible.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/24/nasa.shuttle/index.html?hpt=T2

[mlyonsd]

Gerstenmaier noted, and video showed, four pieces of foam tearing apart from the shuttle about four minutes into launch. But the NASA administrator called these incidents "typical" and likely harmless, since they came off "after the area of concern" when the atmosphere was so thin to make its impact negligible.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/24/nasa.shuttle/index.html?hpt=T2 (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/24/nasa.shuttle/index.html?hpt=T2)

Sorry I missed your previous post.

I was just amazed such a chunk visibly flew off and nothing was said.

It would stand to reason if a chunk came off lower in the atmosphere it would act more like a bullet. I've just never seen it actually happen real time.

[Otter]

Not really deserving of a new thread so posting it here:

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HEheh1BH34Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JBucc]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GE_USPTmYXM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Been posted?

[Donger]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GE_USPTmYXM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Been posted?

Now THAT is f*cking awesome. It's amazing how quickly she goes from vertical to chasing the Earth.

[BigMeatballDave]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GE_USPTmYXM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Been posted?Holy crap, that is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. If I was on that plane, I surely wouldve JIMP.

[Donger]

Scheduled landing today at KSC @ 11:57am EST.

[mlyonsd]

The weather here has been crappy the entire time Discovery was undocked from the ISS. Would have been cool to see it fly over one more time. Bummer.

[Donger]

The weather here has been crappy the entire time Discovery was undocked from the ISS. Would have been cool to see it fly over one more time. Bummer.

There are two more flights coming up this year. Endeavor flies next month, I think.

[mlyonsd]

There are two more flights coming up this year. Endeavor flies next month, I think.

Yup....April. Being rolled out today.

[Alton deFlat]

There are two more flights coming up this year. Endeavor flies next month, I think.

Yea, it's scheduled for the 19th. I'm making plans to go down there to see the launch.

[Reerun_KC]

Now THAT is f*cking awesome. It's amazing how quickly she goes from vertical to chasing the Earth.

There isnt anything better than avaition... that has to be the pinnical of flight...

[Donger]

Looks like she'll be landing on runway 15 today at the SLF. Fun fact: that runway is 15,000 feet long and almost four feet thick at the center line.

[MIAdragon]

Yea, it's scheduled for the 19th. I'm making plans to go down there to see the launch.

Spend the money and buy causeway tickets, just make sure you get a parking pass. I was at this one but I think I will go to the next as well.

[Donger]

Sounds like the landing is a go. One last orbit and then she'll de-orbit burn over the Pacific.

[Donger]

30 minutes until OMS burn.

[Donger]

Both OMS engines firing, slowing Discovery for de-orbit.

[Donger]

Burn complete. She's coming home.

[Donger]

20 minutes from re-entry interface. Passing over Australia right now. 53 minutes from landing.

[Donger]

Re-entry interface. 400,000 feet. 17,000 mph.

[Donger]

Mach 24. 65 miles up.

[Alton deFlat]

Spend the money and buy causeway tickets, just make sure you get a parking pass. I was at this one but I think I will go to the next as well.

Thanks for the advice. We're gonna try to do that. There is also something called Gator Tours. Do you know anything about them?

[Donger]

Beginning S-turns.

[Donger]

21 minutes to landing. Approaching coast of Nicaragua.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGaJhitU0T5lT2IvpJPq-NXwvgCyBjle2czCz77IiHfbCbqR4k

[Donger]

14,000 mph. 40 miles up.

[Donger]

11,700 mph. 35 miles up.

[Donger]

Discovery passing the west coast of Cuba. 8,000 mph. Will cross the Florida coast near Tampa.

[Donger]

Dang, 20 knot head-wind for landing.

[Alton deFlat]

10 minutes until landing.

[Donger]

Over Florida. 8 minutes out. 22 miles up.

[Donger]

Still going 2,000 mph. Taking air data.

[Donger]

On energy.

[mlyonsd]

Pretty sad actually.

[Donger]

Going sub-sonic.

[Donger]

Sonic booms.

[Donger]

On at the 180

[Donger]

4 miles up, 450 mph.

[Donger]

Final approach. Gear down.

[Donger]

Main gear down.

[Donger]

Chute deploy. Nose gear down.

[Donger]

Welcome home, Discovery!

[Alton deFlat]

Discovery spent a total of 365 days in space.

[Alton deFlat]

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[Donger]

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRVHylmxUk8?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRVHylmxUk8?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

Damn, I'm really going to miss them fly. I love seeing "the nod" before the SRBs are released. I remember reading that up in the crew module, the ship actually pitches down something like six FEET under the power of the main engines firing but still being held on the pad.

[Alton deFlat]

Got our tickets on Friday, to view the launch of Endeavor in April. We'll get to see it from the causeway. Can't wait.

[allen_kcCard]

I was able to see the shuttle on vacation this past week. Went to cocoa beach and it was relly cool to see, even if from that far off.

Speaking of which, did you guys hear about the guy that fell off the launch platform and died?

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/03/15/47414111.html

[Alton deFlat]

Well shit, the launch has been delayed.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/

My tickets to see the launch are still good, but I had to change my hotel and rental car reservations through expedia this morning. They pinched me for an extra $150.00. :cuss: Oh well! Need to make changes in my flight now.