I reported several weeks ago that NASA was contemplating moving the final two shuttle launches, possibly pushing them into 2011. Well, now it is official.
It now appears that November 1 and February 26 are the target dates for the launches. NASA says that the delays are due to an examination of the payload requirements of the flights, and determining that they could not prepare everything in time under the old time table.
Since these will be the final two flights for the shuttle fleet (pending any forthcoming legislation that would prompt another flight in the summer of 2011) and with no replacement in sight, NASA wants to make sure that they stock up on everything at the International Space Station.
I, for one, am happy about the delay. No, it's not because I think this is a sign that the space program will somehow be extended further into 2011 or that the shuttle fleet will get a reprieve (I, in fact, believe none of those things). But rather, it is for a more selfish reason: I am hoping to see one of the two final shuttle launches, and these launch dates fit better into my schedule.
I have never seen a shuttle launch, but have heard that they are spectacular. How about you, are you planning to attend one of the final launches? Or have you been to one in the past? What was it like? Sound off in the comments section below.
Comments
I lived close to Tampa when Columbia blew up. The trails stretched across the sky.
I have been to a night launch. The sky lit up like it was daylight.
I watched another launch at like 6pm. From the West coast of Florida you could see it lift off.
I also was aware of the shuttle’s return. I lived close to SR50 in Brooksville which is the road they lined up on to Cape Canaveral.
I heard the sonic booms as it passed over.
I grew up in Palm Bay and have seen many shuttle launches, I even saw Challenger explode (I still get pretty upset about it)… they are all very beautiful, amazing, captivating, and nostalgic. If you have seen one to definitely have not seen them all. I could never grow tired of this religious experience.
I’ll be there, it’s on my “Bucket list”