Two Shuttles Poised for Flight
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Two shuttles on their launch pads. Image credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
Here is a somewhat historic photo from NASA. It features two shuttles on their launch pads. In the foreground is Atlantis on Launch Pad A and in the background is Endeavour on Launch Pad B. This is the first time since July 2001 that two shuttles have been on launch pads at the same time. It is reasonable to guess this could be the last time we see it too.
Atlantis is waiting for its October 10th launch on a mission to service the Hubble telescope. Endeavour is in place in the event a rescue mission becomes necessary. No, it isn’t bad karma or anything. Usually the International Space Station provides a haven in case of emergency, however, during this mission that option will not be on the table. So, no, NASA isn’t hiding some mysterious secret problem, but they do want to be ready in the unlikely event something untoward should happen. Once the “all clear” is given, Endeavour will be moved to Pad A.
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Thanks, Tom!
Your welcome
[...] De bijgaande foto is eigenlijk best wel uniek. Je ziet twee space shuttles op een lanceerplatform staan, hetgeen de laatste keer in juli 2001 het geval was. Mooi plaatje, nietwaar? Vooraan zie je de Atlantis op Launch Pad A, klaar om op 10 oktober 2008 op te stijgen voor de reparatiemissie naar de Hubble ruimtetelescoop. Achterin op Launch Pad B is de Endeavour te zien. Die wordt gebruikt als nood-shuttle voor het geval er iets in de ruimte met de Atlantis mocht gebeuren. Normaal wordt de ISS als nood-voorziening gebruikt, maar in het geval van de reparatiemissie naar de Hubble gaat dat niet op. Vandaar de Endeavour, voor ‘t geval dat. Zodra de Atlantis vertrokken is en alles op ‘t lanceerplatform OK is zal de Endeavour verhuizen naar platform A. Bron: Tom’s Astronomy Blog. [...]
Beautiful picture. Am I right if I see a sort of rainbow towards the Endeavour? Just on the left side of it.
You do!
Thanks!! Been waiting for a photo like this.
Thanks Tom, What a beautiful Pic.
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantic mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
[...] As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the [...]
[...] purposes, as it might not be for this mission, a second shuttle is made ready for a quick launch. Tom’s Astronomy Blog has some additional [...]
Beautiful picture, but one small item in the report makes me raise an eyebrow (perhaps I’m merely ignorant of the facts; please enlighten me if so):
Why must Endeavor be moved to Pad 39A for the STS-126 launch, rather than maintain its’ ready status and launch from 39B?
Is there a truly practical reason for the move, or is it merely an excuse to eat up some budget? How many tax dollars will be required to breakdown/transport/setup the STS-126 launch?
palindromeMD: Although I’m not clear on the reason for the move, the move won’t be that expensive. The stack is moved without modification, just as it would be rolled out, so really all you’re looking at is labor for the move and the setup and the use of the crawler/transporters (Go Hans & Franz!) It’s possible that it’s being held in an ‘empty’ configuration for potential rescue, and thus will have to go back to the barn anyway to be set up for its next mission, also.
Tom any chance of getting a poster size image so I can frame it?
Here is a link to the largest size I could find, it’s 3000 x 2000
http://tinyurl.com/4h4vn2
This links into the NASA site, the image is 3.5 MB.
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for concern. When [...]
[...] [TomsAstroBlog via [...]
[...] FUENTE: Tom’s astronomy blog [...]
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
Thank you Tom, great view!
What would be a good place to see as “turist” the launch? are there special places to go and see the launch?
wow, great snapshot
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[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]
Atlantis y Endeavour, en la rampa de lanzamiento…
El próximo 10 de octubre la lanzadera Atlantis despegará con la misión de reparar el telescopio espacial Hubble. Esta misión se ha calificado como de alto riesgo, así que se ha tomado la inusual decisión de tener una segunda lanzadera preparada p…
[...] http://tomsastroblog.com/?p=1969 Comparte esta entrada: [...]
Hanks Tom´s Thanks
[...] primera vez dos desde 2001: http://tomsastroblog.com/?p=1969 [...]
I don’t think I saw the answer as to why Endeavour will be moved to 39A (Unless it’s in Spanish – and I can’t read it!) 39B is being taken over by the Constellation Project as soon as Endeavour can vacate the pad. They are getting ready for the Ares I-X launch next year, and are on a very tight schedule to reconfigure the pad. Notice the partially constructed lightning towers that will protect the new taller rockets from strikes. Can’t wait for them to get a newer, cheaper, safer (etc) vehicle for our astronauts to use. Boy what a shame to see the ol’ Shuttle go, however.
I’ll check, also they pushed back the Hubble launch a few days. the move could be due to launch pad damage, but I need to check that out too.
I think that was due to missed training due to Houston being shut down for a week from our ‘good friend’ Ike!
[...] something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for [...]