The STS-133 crew members, from the left, are NASA astronauts Tim Kopra and Alvin Drew, both mission specialists; Eric Boe, pilot; Steve Lindsey, commander; Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, both mission specialists. Image credit: NASA

I am having a difficult time figuring out how to write this post without seeming bitter.  It’s hard to watch something that this country has done together and done well, to be thrown away like yesterday’s garbage.  Something people have died doing, not because they had to do it but because they were driven to be the best and wanted the country be the best.

Ah, that doesn’t matter anymore.   I hope everybody joins me in supporting the private industry in human spaceflight.  Given the chance, private industry will be successful.  I am pretty pessimistic I suppose, because I’m afraid the first time something goes wrong, the government will take a quick break from passing unread, untitled mega-spending bills like they are doing some great stroke of business, to shut the private industry down too.  Don’t believe it?  What’s going on or rather not going on  in the Gulf?

Since the days of Apollo there have been crew wake up songs.  In a poignant end to the US Human spaceflight program, NASA is running a contest to select the final wakeup songs for the last two shuttle missions.  For the STS-133 mission you can select from a list of previous songs and for the STS-134 mission you can send in a song YOU wrote.  Entries for the STS-134 mission will be screened and the finalists will be put on a list for us to vote on – I can’t wait to hear them.

You can get all the details on the NASA Space Rock site and you can vote for the STS-133 songs right now.  Check it out here.

Another milestone in the Shuttle program is reached.

Given the current events and attitudes I wonder how long it will be before NASA gets a name change to perhaps: National Aeronautics and Science Administration.  Hey don’t laugh, it could happen, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least.

Video

Here is a look at the STS-132 (Atlantis) making it’s last launch.  Note the movement just before the shuttle leaves the ground.  Thrust makes the shuttle assembly bend a little bit and there is a slight delay for it to come back before the clamps open and set it free.  Happens on every launch so it’s not unique or anything, still the power is amazing.  This particular video is from the Left SRB (Solid Rocket Booster).  Here is a video showing the launch from the four SRB cams on the same screen.

Source for featured video.

Speaking of amazing, below is an image of the ISS and Shuttle transiting the Sun shortly before docking.  The image was taken in Spain by Thierry Legault, be sure to click on the image to see more of his outstanding work.  I’ve seen Thierry’s work before and  I’ve tried to do this and it’s not as easy as you might think.  All the preparation is for just a second or two of transit, you’d crack up watching trying to pull it off.  No matter, I’m up for another go at it and I’ll try again if the opportunity presents itself, and as you might expect that doesn’t happen very often.

Atlantis and the ISS transit the Sun before docking. Click for larger. Credit: Thierry Legault (via SpaceRef)

Oh and BE SURE (!!!!!) to try and get a look at the Shuttle/ISS passing overhead.   Atlantis is undocked from the ISS and this is going to be one of your last chances to see a shuttle and the ISS — EVER!  Check Heavens Above for viewing times for you (you have to register, but fear not, it’s free and safe.  Don’t forget to enter your location!

Actually it’s going to be one of your last chances to see ANY of NASA’s manned missions.  After the two remaining scheduled shuttle missions, it may be quite some time before an astronaut is launched from US soil.  Yes, I’ve seen the press releases with all the private interests lauding the new direction, however that is tempered by the fact they are a long ways from routine human space flight.  Oh they’ll get there, I just hope there is LOTS of information sharing so they can benefit from what we’ve achieved in the field.  They will right?

Atlantis does the R-Bar Pitch this morning just before docking.  I was hoping to see a plume from the volcano as the maneuver took place I didn’t happen to catch it.

Atlantis makes its final trip into space.  The launch looked to be picture perfect.  The video goes from JUST before lift off to external tank separation just over 9 minutes.

It’s a sad day for US manned spaceflight.  The term “Lucky Dog” was used by the Atlantis crew as it turned into a heads up position prior to external tank separation.

I saw this on NASA-TV earlier today, for me the video punctuated the finality of the shuttle program.
Have a look while you’re waiting for the launch.