Space Shuttle Atlantis Readies Penultimate Launch
It’s a very strange thought for me to realize that the space shuttle program in about to end. After watching the Apollo 11 moon shot when I was 6 I’ve been fascinated with the US space program. It seems like the shuttles have always been with us. From test flights strapped to the back of a 747 to starting full operations in 1982 they have been the backbone of the space program. We have so much to thank the shuttle program for it’s not going to be easy to see it end.
The STS was suppose to be the next step in the evolution of space craft design and while it never delivered on the expectation of massive cost savings it certainly seemed like progress to be able to land under control on an airstrip rather than splashing down haphazardly into the ocean. Now as we watch these amazing machines retire from service they are being replaced by Orion, the Apollo capsule’s big brother.
Looks and feels like it’s back to the future all over again, at least we have amazing pictures like this one to help us remember the promise and beauty of these inspiring pieces of engineering.
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