Tribute To All The People In Space Exploration ( A Real Shuttle Photo Blog)

Good Evening Everybody!
Final Update on Shuttle Mission Completion!
The Last Ride

Some of the estimated 6,000 visitors to the Udvar-Hazy Center, northern Virginia, take photos of the SCA carrying retired shuttle Discovery on April 17, 2012.
CREDIT: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com 

CHANTILLY, Va. — Cries of "I see it!" rang out through the crowd as a speck on the horizon got bigger and bigger, resolving into the odd shape of two attached aircraft approaching. Soon it was close enough to make out space shuttle Discovery riding piggyback aboard a jumbo jet.

The shuttle and its ride zoomed overhead three times, flying low over a gathering of roughly 6,000 this morning (April 17) here at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Many had been waiting since the early morning, on picnic blankets and camp chairs, for a chance to see the well-traveled orbiter's last trip through the sky.

The veteran space shuttle launched 39 times to space before it was retired last year. Now it is coming to rest at the Smithsonian for all to see.

"Spectacular," pronounced Joseph Matos of Germantown, Md., after the shuttle's flyover. "It is an absolute privilege for Discovery to come to the museum right here." [Photos: Shuttle Discovery Flies to Smithsonian]

Space.com link:  http://www.space.com/15313-shuttle-discovery-smithsonian-arrival-reaction.html utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

A Great Moment in History!!  
Thank You Space Explorers


Good Afternoon Everybody
April 17, 2012
Update:
Discovery Has Landed-Mission Complete


http://www.space.com/15307-space-shuttle-discovery-lands-washington-smithsonian.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

This story was updated at 11:36 a.m. EDT.

WASHINGTON — The space shuttle Discovery, NASA's fleet leader and the world's most-flown spacecraft, arrived in Washington, D.C. Tuesday (April 17), where it will go on permanent display at the Smithsonian later this week.

The retired space plane was delivered to the nation's capital mounted to the space agency'sShuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet, on a final ferry flight that included a historic flyover of the National Mall and some of its nearby monuments and federal buildings.

The air- and spacecraft duo landed at Washington Dulles International Airport at 11:05 a.m. EDT (1505 GMT).

The SCA carrying NASA's retired space shuttle Discovery landed at Washington Dulles Airport on April 17, 2012.
CREDIT: NASA TV 

Congratulations on Excellent display of Perfection!

Good Morning Everybody
April 17, 2012


I have added this photo below to yesterday's post about the Shuttles:
We have liftoff and they are in the Air! Last Flight, see this link:
http://www.space.com/15304-space-shuttle-discovery-final-flight-begins.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher


A modified Boeing 747 jet (the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) takes off with space shuttle Discovery riding piggyback to ferry the spacecraft from its home at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum display annex outside Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2012.
CREDIT: NASA TV 

POST-APRIL 16, 2012





Hi Everybody!!  Welcome and please come in and get comfortable.


The Awesomeness is all Here, it is all Now, and it is all WOW!!


We have a great photostudy (from NASA). We have rockets blasting off. We have videos of the shuttles. We have People.
 We have History in the making, the end of an Era:
The Space Shuttle Missions are complete and they have been retired (last year). The final mission is tomorrow April 17, 2012, when Discovery is flown to it's final resting place at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D C.


This is what I want to tell You tonight:  
All Humans own Space, the same as all Humans own Earth.  This is HOME for all of Us.  And as Your Home, You are responsible for knowing what is going on with our Earth and our Universe. You are responsible for contributing something toward the effort of gathering and sharing knowledge to benefit All of us that live in our Home. We cannot all be the Astronauts, but we can all do something. Now you all know that they are never going to let this old Granny, brendasue, drive one of those Space Planes!!!! So, I must be content with my job: Cheerleader for my Heroes!!!!
On a personal note, I grew up in Houston, Texas. NASA was like in my backyard. The Space Exploration Effort took shape during the time I was a teenager. It was an exciting time and all people watched every launch on the T V (locally). I took my children every year on field trips to NASA. It was just part of local life growing up  in Texas.  
I realize today, now that I have so many new friends in all Countries, that maybe some of You did not see all the media coverage back in the day. I want to share this excitement I have for Space Exploration.  This is the one effort that we can all support, because it is for all of Us. Every single mission flown is documented and Public for all to see. Every wonderful Photograph from the Universe is Public for all to see. We can learn whatever is known about the Universe as it is Public for all to see. I encourage everybody to look at these images and videos. Space.com is my favorite site on the internet. You Tube has an fantastic library of videos. (And. of course, I bring you all I can!!)
Maybe You will join me as a cheerleader! This is Something to Cheer About!!!
A BIG  HOORAY to everyone involved in Space Exploration!!!


When ready to launch, turn up the Volume and Just Push Play>

If You liked that one, Just Push Play> again!

The Last Shuttle leaves the International Space Station.  A Great Photostudy (by NASA) Tonight:



Atlantis After Undocking by Astro_Ron
Credit: NASA via Ron Garan/Astro_RonThe space shuttle Atlantis pulls away from the International Space Station on July 19, 2011 after undocking for the final time. Astronaut Ron Garan tweeted this picture from the Space Station: "The view #FromSpace of Shuttle #Atlantis flyaround of #ISS today (7/19/11) from Sergei's bedroom window."






Atlantis Undocking as Seen by Astro_RonCredit: NASA via Ron Garan/Astro_RonAstronaut Ron Garan tweeted this picture from the International Space Station: "The Last view #FromSpace of Shuttle #Atlantis Taken today (7/19/11) from Sergei's #ISS bedroom window."






























To view all of these historical photos see link:
http://www.space.com/12380-final-space-shuttle-landing-historic-nasa-photos.html



Shadow Landing for Final Space Shuttle MissionCredit: NASA/Bill IngallsSpace shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) touches down at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), completing its 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.







Touching Down LightlyCredit: NASA/Kim ShiflettSpace shuttle Atlantis gleamed in the darkness at it touched down on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Atlantis' wheels came to a stop at 5:57:54 am on Thursday, July 21, 2011.







Space Shuttle Atlantis Lands with Drag Chute DeployedCredit: NASA/Kenny AllenAt the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the drag chute trailing space shuttle Atlantis is illuminated by the xenon lights on Runway 15 as the shuttle lands for the final time. Securing the space shuttle fleet's place in history, Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy.







A Glimpse of the People who make it all Work!


(great videos & photostudy after the Interview)


It is the people who dedicate their life to work and study in this field of Space Exploration that are my Heroes.  I read space.com everyday and recommend it to All of You. These are Historical Times. The Space Shuttle Mission will be complete and retired as soon as all Shuttles arrive at their new homes in Museums.
The next article by space.com author, Denise Chow, is an article posted this morning:  An interview with Stephanie Stilson,   
now the shuttle transition and retirement flow director at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

 The interview shows us the "people part" of the Missions. 
Enjoy the article (and it is at this link:)
http://www.space.com/15275-space-shuttle-discovery-museum-stilson-interview.html
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Denise was an intern at the New York Daily News and GQ magazine. She has a masters degree in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto.
by Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer

Date: 16 April 2012 Time: 07:00 AM ET

Saying Goodbye to NASA's Shuttles: Q&A with Space Plane Wrangler Stephanie Stilson

This week, the space shuttle Discovery, NASA's most-flown space plane, will make its last flight, atop a modified aircraft that is delivering it to a museum for public display.  On April 17, Discovery is scheduled to depart NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for Washington, D.C., where it will become the newest exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. 
The agency retired its 30-year space shuttle program in 2011, and Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the three remaining orbiters in the fleet, plus the early prototype vehicle Enterprise, have found new homes at museums across the country. 
From 2000 to 2011, Stephanie Stilson managed the shuttle Discovery's processing flow in between the orbiter's missions. 
She is now overseeing the retirement of the vehicles from the Kennedy Space Center, and the delivery of Discovery, Enterprise, Atlantis and Endeavour to their new museum homes. SPACE.com recently caught up with Stilson to talk about the decommissioning process, the challenges of saying goodbye, and the legacy of the space shuttle program.

Stephanie Stilson, NASA vehicle manager for Discovery, poses for a photo in January 2004. Stilson is now the shuttle transition and retirement flow director at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.   CREDIT: NASA

SPACE.com: Since you've worked on Discovery for so many years, how has this process been for you?

Stilson: I think a lot of people are expecting me to say I'm sad, and that this is an awful thing because Discovery is leaving.

I so much enjoy the work we're doing and feel so fortunate that, although yes, we're going to give Discovery over, at least we're getting to be a part of this process of getting Discovery ready. And it's not just Discovery, we're getting all four vehicles ready, including Enterprise. I'm just very honored. [Photo Tour Inside Shuttle Discovery] 

For us to not be the ones to be the caretakers of Discovery is a sad thing, and I'm sure once we get Discovery into the hangar at the Smithsonian and we walk away, that will definitely be a sad moment for me. But right now, I'm just focused on the milestones of accomplishing our work. We all want to make sure we deliver Discovery in the best shape possible and that's what we're really focusing on.

SPACE.com: Do you think that when it comes time to really hand over the shuttle, it'll be difficult or emotional?

Stilson: I think it will be when I finally get there. Fortunately I have become very familiar with Dr. Valerie Neal, who is the curator for the Smithsonian. She will be the new mother for Discovery. She's so excited and has so many great ideas about how to tell the story of the capabilities of this vehicle. I think that has really helped me, knowing that Discovery is going to someone like that makes me feel better. But when it comes time to say my job is done, that's definitely going to be hard moment for me. It may take a while for it to sink in, even after I leave Discovery and leave the Smithsonian. For so long, I was able to see Discovery pretty much on a daily basis, except for when she was in orbit, so it's going to be quite a change for me and it's going to be something I'm going to have to get used to. But immediately after, I'll be focused on getting Enterprise up to New York and then Endeavour out to California, and then Atlantis to the visitor center, so there are plenty of things to keep me distracted. 

SPACE.com: What has been the mood of the transition and retirement team?


Stilson: I think the main thing I would say about the team is they're very grateful that they're getting to be a part of this. The entire space shuttle team wanted to keep working on the space shuttles and keep them flying, and of course that wasn't possible. We now have the responsibility of getting the shuttles safely to the museums, so the team is proud to be a part of that. [Where to See America's Greatest Spaceships]  But there's a sad side as well because they know this is going to end soon. We're all not going to have a lot of time to do this, so we're very honored that we're a part of this smaller team, out of the larger NASA team.

SPACE.com: What kind of work was involved in the decommissioning process?

Stilson: The most important thing was to get the vehicle into a safe configuration to allow the general public to get up close and personal to the orbiters.  During the processing flow, if you wanted to be around the orbiters, you had to be certified because there were hazards associated with these vehicles flying in space. To prepare the vehicles for display, we had to go in and remove the hazards. These systems had to be de-serviced, or sometimes even removed from the ship, to ensure in the future there'll be no chance of anything leaking or out-gassing. So that was the big undertaking that my team had to face and get through, and then the second thing would be to prepare the vehicle for display — to get it into a configuration that the museum wants it in for their displays. [NASA's Space Shuttle Program In Pictures] 


SPACE.com: Discovery flew 39 missions and spent a total of 365 days — a full year — in orbit. Does the vehicle show its age?

Stilson: It definitely does. Over the years, it has held up very well. Discovery has the reputation of being theworkhorse of the fleet. It was the vehicle that the agency counted on to bring us back to flight for both return-to-flight missions. Both times, Discovery has been the vehicle to get our country back to flying in space, so she's obviously been through a lot. When you look at her up close, she does look worn. There are discolorations and streaks from going from orbit back into our environment here.  And another thing we normally would have done if we were turning around and flying again is that we always have tiles that we repair. If we were going to fly Discovery again, we would repair the tiles or sometimes even replace them entirely. The Smithsonian wanted Discovery to look like it had rolled off the runway and into the hangar, so they wanted to keep all that so you could see the damage.

Discovery didn't actually have a lot of damage after the last mission, thank goodness, but now we'll use these things to educate the public on how fragile the shuttle really is. I think it's a great idea. A lot of people who aren't familiar with the vehicles think of it like an airplane, which has a skin that is hard to the touch. But space shuttles aren't like that. They're actually fragile on the outside, and I thought that was a great idea to let people see that up close.

SPACE.com: Is there anything physically that sets Discovery apart from the other shuttles?

Stilson: I don't know that I'd say there's anything on Discovery in particular, but for all of the orbiters, when you look at the black tiles on the belly of the vehicle, you can see they're all different colors. There's a range, from very dark black to light gray, and it has to do with the age of the tile. If it's a very bright, black tile, it's a brand new or relatively new tile. If they're very gray in color on the belly of the vehicle, they're older and could be original build tiles.  You can then see where majority of the tile work is performed because you can also see the streaks and effects of the plasma when the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere. Discovery flew 39 flights, so it has come through the atmosphere that many times. Also, the blankets themselves are white, but they look dirty. In some cases they look a little bit ragged. If we were going to fly in space again, we would make sure every single stitch was perfect. [Photos: Shuttle Discovery's Final Voyage]  So with this exhibit, you'll be able to see a bit of that and how it was when it returned from space. We didn't go and clean it and make it look bright white again, so it definitely does give it character. That's one thing for people who have seen Enterprise, because it looks very different on the outside. It doesn't have the blanket, so you can really get an appreciation of the thermal protection system on Discovery.

SPACE.com: So there are tiles on Discovery that have actually been there since the vehicle was built?

Stilson: Majority of the tiles are original build tiles, so that's surprising to a lot of people. When we were still flying, we'd replace at least 100 tiles in each processing flow. But keep in mind, that there are over 24,000 individual tiles, so 100 isn't that huge of a number. Also, where we're replacing them on the shuttle is usually in the same general area.  We have some liftoff debris, and we may get damage from a meteor, but that's pretty random. So, the damage coming back into the atmosphere is pretty standard, and we usually know where those repairs have to happen.

SPACE.com: What do you hope will be the legacy of Discovery and the space shuttle program?

Stilson: I think the vehicle itself and its capability is so impressive. It can launch in the vertical and land on the horizontal; it's able to dock with the International Space Station. So many great things have happened that it's going to be remembered for, and the Smithsonian and other locations will do a good job of telling people about that. I really hope and really feel confident that these exhibits will also show that anyone can be part of a team like this. Having gotten to work with each of the display sites, I really got that feel from all of them. They really want to paint that personal side of it. The displays say: here's this fantastic vehicle that has done these marvelous things. None of this would have come about if it weren't for the dedication of the entire team. There are some people who have worked their entire careers in the space shuttle program.  
When future generations come to see these vehicles, they're really seeing the heart and soul of thepeople that built them and prepared them and got them to fly in space safely.

SPACE.com: Is there a mission or a specific moment while you were working on Discovery that particularly resonates with you?

Stilson: Of course we had a lot of great missions, but I think what stands out for me the most is the return-to-flight mission after the Columbia accident. It's memorable for obvious reasons, because we were able to get back and prove that we had found the problem and fixed the problem. I'm fortunate that my team was involved in making that happen, but more so because I knew what it took to get to that point where we got to fly again. [Most Memorable Space Shuttle Missions] 
During those three years, we incorporated new modifications so that we could be the best that we could be. For me, the launch of that mission as phenomenal, and obviously the landing was the proof in the pudding that we could do this again and do it safely.

SPACE.com: Finally, I have to ask, do you have a favorite shuttle?

Stilson: Discovery, of course. It has been something that's actually been really unique to me. Obviously Discovery is my favorite. I represent Discovery and the team. But now I'm getting to work with Atlantis, Endeavour and Enterprise, and I've been loving these vehicles as well. It has been fun getting to learn about those missions too.

You can follow SPACE.com staff writer Denise Chow on Twitter @denisechow. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 10, 2012.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com/Robert Z. Pearlman

View full size image

SPACE.com: What kind of work was involved in the decommissioning process?

Stilson: The most important thing was to get the vehicle into a safe configuration to allow the general public to get up close and personal to the orbiters.
During the processing flow, if you wanted to be around the orbiters, you had to be certified because there were hazards associated with these vehicles flying in space. To prepare the vehicles for display, we had to go in and remove the hazards. These systems had to be de-serviced, or sometimes even removed from the ship, to ensure in the future there'll be no chance of anything leaking or out-gassing.
So that was the big undertaking that my team had to face and get through, and then the second thing would be to prepare the vehicle for display — to get it into a configuration that the museum wants it in for their displays. [NASA's Space Shuttle Program In Pictures]

SPACE.com: Discovery flew 39 missions and spent a total of 365 days — a full year — in orbit. Does the vehicle show its age?

Stilson: It definitely does. Over the years, it has held up very well. Discovery has the reputation of being theworkhorse of the fleet. It was the vehicle that the agency counted on to bring us back to flight for both return-to-flight missions. Both times, Discovery has been the vehicle to get our country back to flying in space, so she's obviously been through a lot. When you look at her up close, she does look worn. There are discolorations and streaks from going from orbit back into our environment here.
And another thing we normally would have done if we were turning around and flying again is that we always have tiles that we repair. If we were going to fly Discovery again, we would repair the tiles or sometimes even replace them entirely. The Smithsonian wanted Discovery to look like it had rolled off the runway and into the hangar, so they wanted to keep all that so you could see the damage. Discovery didn't actually have a lot of damage after the last mission, thank goodness, but now we'll use these things to educate the public on how fragile the shuttle really is. I think it's a great idea. A lot of people who aren't familiar with the vehicles think of it like an airplane, which has a skin that is hard to the touch. But space shuttles aren't like that. They're actually fragile on the outside, and I thought that was a great idea to let people see that up close.

Space shuttle Discovery, bathed in Xenon lights, rolls out to Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 31, 2011.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com/Robert Z. Pearlman

View full size image

SPACE.com: Is there anything physically that sets Discovery apart from the other shuttles?

Stilson: I don't know that I'd say there's anything on Discovery in particular, but for all of the orbiters, when you look at the black tiles on the belly of the vehicle, you can see they're all different colors. There's a range, from very dark black to light gray, and it has to do with the age of the tile. If it's a very bright, black tile, it's a brand new or relatively new tile. If they're very gray in color on the belly of the vehicle, they're older and could be original build tiles.
You can then see where majority of the tile work is performed because you can also see the streaks and effects of the plasma when the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere. Discovery flew 39 flights, so it has come through the atmosphere that many times. Also, the blankets themselves are white, but they look dirty. In some cases they look a little bit ragged. If we were going to fly in space again, we would make sure every single stitch was perfect. [Photos: Shuttle Discovery's Final Voyage]
So with this exhibit, you'll be able to see a bit of that and how it was when it returned from space. We didn't go and clean it and make it look bright white again, so it definitely does give it character. That's one thing for people who have seen Enterprise, because it looks very different on the outside. It doesn't have the blanket, so you can really get an appreciation of the thermal protection system on Discovery.

SPACE.com: So there are tiles on Discovery that have actually been there since the vehicle was built?

Stilson: Majority of the tiles are original build tiles, so that's surprising to a lot of people. When we were still flying, we'd replace at least 100 tiles in each processing flow. But keep in mind, that there are over 24,000 individual tiles, so 100 isn't that huge of a number. Also, where we're replacing them on the shuttle is usually in the same general area. 
We have some liftoff debris, and we may get damage from a meteor, but that's pretty random. So, the damage coming back into the atmosphere is pretty standard, and we usually know where those repairs have to happen.

The shuttle Discovery lifts off on the first Return-to-Flight mission, the STS-26 voyage.
CREDIT: NASA

View full size image

SPACE.com: What do you hope will be the legacy of Discovery and the space shuttle program?

Stilson: I think the vehicle itself and its capability is so impressive. It can launch in the vertical and land on the horizontal; it's able to dock with the International Space Station. So many great things have happened that it's going to be remembered for, and the Smithsonian and other locations will do a good job of telling people about that. I really hope and really feel confident that these exhibits will also show that anyone can be part of a team like this. Having gotten to work with each of the display sites, I really got that feel from all of them. They really want to paint that personal side of it. The displays say: here's this fantastic vehicle that has done these marvelous things. None of this would have come about if it weren't for the dedication of the entire team. There are some people who have worked their entire careers in the space shuttle program.
When future generations come to see these vehicles, they're really seeing the heart and soul of thepeople that built them and prepared them and got them to fly in space safely.

SPACE.com: Is there a mission or a specific moment while you were working on Discovery that particularly resonates with you?

Stilson: Of course we had a lot of great missions, but I think what stands out for me the most is the return-to-flight mission after the Columbia accident. It's memorable for obvious reasons, because we were able to get back and prove that we had found the problem and fixed the problem. I'm fortunate that my team was involved in making that happen, but more so because I knew what it took to get to that point where we got to fly again. [Most Memorable Space Shuttle Missions]
During those three years, we incorporated new modifications so that we could be the best that we could be. For me, the launch of that mission as phenomenal, and obviously the landing was the proof in the pudding that we could do this again and do it safely.

SPACE.com: Finally, I have to ask, do you have a favorite shuttle?

Stilson: Discovery, of course. It has been something that's actually been really unique to me. Obviously Discovery is my favorite. I represent Discovery and the team. But now I'm getting to work with Atlantis, Endeavour and Enterprise, and I've been loving these vehicles as well. It has been fun getting to learn about those missions too.


THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE INTERVIEW










Just Push Play>

Just Push Play>

Look  At  All  The  People  Who  Love  These
Super SHUTTLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.space.com/12380-final-space-shuttle-landing-historic-nasa-photos.html

Atlantis Arrives at NASA's Employee Appreciation EventCredit: NASA/Frankie MartinSpace shuttle Atlantis is slowly towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility to an orbiter processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the last time on July 21, 2011. A crowd of NASA workers is on hand for an employee appreciation event.








NASA's Space Shuttle Workers at Employee Appreciation EventCredit: NASA/Frankie MartinThe thousands of workers who have processed, launched and landed the space shuttles for more than three decades welcome Atlantis home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during an employee appreciation event.







Atlantis Towed to Shuttle Landing FacilityCredit: NASA/Kim ShiflettSpace shuttle Atlantis is slowly towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility to an orbiter processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the last time. Atlantis' final return from space at 5:57 a.m. EDT secured the space shuttle fleet's place in history and brought a close to the America's Space Shuttle Program.







I’m Down, I’m Grounded, Safe and SoundCredit: NASA TVAtlantis' crew stands before the orbiter following a successful landing on July 21, 2011.







Atlantis Post-Landing Surrounded by PeopleCredit: NASA TVSpace shuttle Atlantis is surrounded by people following its landing at Kennedy Space Center, July 21, 2011.





Houston Crowd Catches Final Shuttle LandingCredit: NASA TVHundreds of people flocked to NASA's Johnson Space Center in the wee hours of July 21, 2011 to watch the final space shuttle landing in history live on a giant Jumbotron screen.





Bolden and Reporter Speak Following Atlantis' LandingCredit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.comNASA chief Bolden speaks with a journalist on the runway with shuttle Atlantis in the background.






STS-135 Crew at Post-Landing Press ConferenceCredit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.comThe STS-135 crew poses for pictures following landing of shuttle Atlantis on July 21, 2011.






Space Shuttle Atlantis' Crew at Press ConferenceCredit: NASA/Jim GrossmannThe crew of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-135 and final Space Shuttle Program Flight, participates in a news conference in the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on landing day. Seen here are STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson (left), Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim and Pilot Doug Hurley.







Final Space Shuttle Landing SmilesCredit: NASA/Bill IngallsNASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and Robert Cabana, director Kennedy Space Center, react to employee Kenneth C. McElroy, early Thursday July 21, 2011, after Bolden and Cabana addressed employees prior to the final landing of the space shuttle Atlantis at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.







The following is the space.com posted update for today April 16, 2012. Please follow the link to see these posts:
Link:  http://www.space.com/15268-space-shuttle-museum-flights-coverage.html

Shuttle Ferry Flight Coverage:

Monday, April 16

Space Shuttle Discovery Takes Final Flight This Week ... to Smithsonian 
NASA's most-flown space plane — will take one last flight this week, but will never leave the planet again. The shuttle's final mission is a piggyback ride atop a jumbo jet so Discovery can take its place as a space icon at the Smithsonian Institution.

Spot the Shuttle: How to See Discovery on Final Flight to the Smithsonian 
Space shuttle Discovery will take to the air on Tuesday morning (April 17), flying piggyback atop a NASA jumbo jet from Florida to Washington, D.C. to be delivered to the Smithsonian for display. Those along its flight path are in store for low passes, historic flybys and overall, quite the sky show.

Space Shuttle Viewing Locations List:

NASA Map for Best Viewing Locations
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/nasalife/features/discovery_dc_viewing.html

National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
http://airandspace.si.edu/discovery

Dulles International Airport
http://www.mwaa.com/dulles/4827.htm

Reagan National Airport
http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/reagan.htm

FLYING  TOMORROW!!

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, is ready for its final ferry flight on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com/Robert Pearlman
http://www.space.com/15295-space-shuttle-discovery-smithsonian-delivery.html

The shuttle Discovery — NASA's most-flown space plane — will take one last flight this week, but will never leave the planet again. The shuttle's final mission is a piggyback ride atop a jumbo jet so Discovery can take its place as a space icon at the Smithsonian Institution.

The shuttle is due to leave its Florida home for good early Tuesday (April 17), when the modified Boeing 747 jet carrying Discovery will leave NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral en route for Dulles International Airport. If all goes well, the shuttle will arrive in Washington, D.C., later that day and roll into its oversize display case (actually a museum hangar) on Thursday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

The flight to Washington is the last time Discovery will ever take to the skies. Discovery returned from its final space mission in March 2011, and NASA retired the entire space shuttle program for good in July of that year. With 39 spaceflights and about 365 total days in space during its career, Discovery was NASA's workhorse orbiter during the 30-year shuttle program.

In a rare move, NASA plans to fly the piggyback shuttle over a low tour of Washington, taking it over the National Mall, Reagan National Airport and the National Harbor before touching down. The flyover is expected to be visible from many points around Washington between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. EDT (1400 to 1500 GMT). [How NASA Flies Shuttles on 747 Jets (Photos)]

Check out this link:
http://www.space.com/10727-nasa-space-shuttle-spacecraft.html

and
http://www.space.com/12143-8-surprising-space-shuttle-facts-countdown.html



This concludes the tribute to All The People In Space Exploration and to the Super Shuttles!  Thank You All very much for what You do and what You have done!


Goodnight Everybody. Hope You enjoyed this adventure!  You have some bonus videos to the International Space Station  and to Planet Earth.
Enjoy Your View.  Just Push Play> when You are ready to blast off!!!   See You next time!

JUST PUSH PLAY>

JUST PUSH PLAY>

Top Photos image credit:

Space shuttle Discovery, bathed in Xenon lights, rolls out to Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 31, 2011.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com/Robert Z. Pearlman



....this is brendasue signing off from Rainbow Creek






O+O