I remember it as if it was yesterday. 12th April 1981, I was 11 and the first Space Shuttle takes off. Columbia blasted off onto the sky and I was sure it was going to go horribly wrong. However it did not and the mission was a success. the only real hitch was some of the tiles fell off the vehicle and it had to be repaired before re entry.
However 5 years later my pessimistic predictions were brought to fruition with the Challenger Disaster when the shuttle exploded during take off killing all seven astronauts.
Not All Low Points
The shuttle missions have reached some high points with the launch of many satellites, the launching and fixing of the Hubble telescope and its involvement with the building of the International Space Station. They have even had Russian cosmonauts on flights.
However Columbia also had its own disaster when it was destroyed on re entry 15 minutes before completing its 28th mission.
So today, weather allowing the shuttle will fly for the last time. America is retiring its fleet as it cuts its budgets. Nothing is in place to replace it and NASA will have to rely on Europe and Russia for contact with Space.
Supa Swap would like to take its hat off to all the men and women who have worked and especially those who have given their life to this project. Somehow space will not quite be the same.
manny Said,
@ July 8, 2011
Well done to all involved.
david F Said,
@ July 8, 2011
Have to agree the work involved and hat off to all the hard work and the great loss so many suffered to get this fantastic achievement.