Endeavours Retirement Flight

[LazyGun]

Just been looking at some of these pictures, which I think are great.

Endeavours retirement flight - kind of sad really, end of an era...

http://www.huffington...82.html#slide=1550295

[excelsior-1]

agreed.
a thirty year chapter closes.

i remember the maiden flight of columbia .. april 12 1981 .. like it was yesterday

[excelsior-1]

the retirement flight of 'discovery' over washington, back in april

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV9ylVzlVbU

[wildwood]

I wonder if there is a pilot in the shuttle and lightens the load of the 747 by adjusting the aerofoils for maximum lift?

[naomi24]

It does seem rather sad .... but hopefully onwards and upwards!!

[LazyGun]

Good video link, Excelsior.

I would like to think that there will be an onward and upward, Naomi, but I am still not sure about the appetite generally for space exploration, and the cost.

There are a number of companies looking at low earth orbit flights, there is at least one company that is road testing space holiday modules right now, and it was announced recently that at least one company has been formed with the express intention of mining asteroids.

Add to that the recent mars explorer and preparations for a manned flight to Mars, and perhaps their is a bright future for space exploration after all..

[wendilla]

As you may know by my Spacestation Posts it used to be great to see a double fly bye over the uk. Been watching them for a few years. Quite a few people did not even know you could see the SS. But at times to see them both SS and the Shuttle within a few minutes of one another was fantastic. We still have a chance of spotting the supply ships when skies are really clear. Yes kind of sad and end of an era.