Space Shuttle Atlantis makes final landing.

[johnmiic]

After 30 years and 3 months the Shuttle Program ceases. I remember seeing the first launch as a kid on TV in 1981. For all its shortcomings the shuttles hauled the parts for the International Space Station into orbit, fixed the Hubble multiple times giving us unprecedented views of the universe, launched robotic probes to many of the planets during he 1980's-1990's-and 2000's.

"I sometimes catch myself looking up at the Moon, remembering the changes of fortune in our long voyage, thinking of the thousands of people who worked to bring the three of us home. I look up at the Moon and wonder, when will we be going back, and who will that be?"-Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell, Apollo 13


Space Shuttle Atlantis Makes Historic Final Landing, Ending 30-Year Era (VIDEO)

[Hector]

Yeah...sad day for me...I totally endorse and support the space program.

We have stuff already in the works though...USA will rise again soon.

But for now...we have to ride piggyback in Russian rockets with cosmonauts...




BTW...Apollo 13 is one of my all time favorite movies...I never ever get tired of watching it...probably seen it over 20+ times or so...easily...

[boss]

"cuz I can add!". Great movie.

[Hector]

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Sad to see. I remember being at my grandparent's watching the Enterprise break away from the 747 to glide back down to Earth in 1976.

[rche]

Farewell to the shuttle program. There has been a campaign in Houston to let the shuttle destined for NY stay there. I truly hope they can keep one of them in the Houston area.

[MicromanZone]

Farewell to the shuttle program. There has been a campaign in Houston to let the shuttle destined for NY stay there. I truly hope they can keep one of them in the Houston area.

I’m in NYC, but you know what? We already have so many tourist attractions and nobody likes going to the Intrepid Air & Space Museum anyway because it’s a massive schlep from midtown to the westside. Not to mention we’re getting the Airbus A320 (US Airways Flight 1549) that Captain Sullenberger landed in the Hudson. We have enough. Other cities should get some glory.

[livnxxxl]

I seen that clip on the news today. I believe they said that it will bring about 2,000 + lay offs due to the shuttle program ending. Just what the economy needs since it is very fragile already.

I would imagine by now with all of the space trips back in forth from the past we should have a Death Star Station built up there by now.


As far as where to put the shuttle they can bring it to Missouri and hang it under the arch. Then they can charge people and use it like a swing to give people rides in. Instant revenue. Debt crisis solved for the Midwest at least. Ohh wait! Six Flags may not like that idea as that would cut into their profits some.

[Tyme2tyme]

Local news here in Florida says that as many as 6000 - 7000 will be laid off. Today (7/21/11) will be the last day of work for about 1500. Sad.

[thunderbolt]

Heard the last sonic boom overhead yesterday morning. As for the layoffs, I know 3 poeple that have already gotten laid off there, and already have jobs in the private sector, not to mention that they got huge severance packages.

[Bruce Banner]

End of an era.

I visited the Kennedy Space Center back around 1980. It's an awesome place.

Hopefully the space program will go on to even greater things in the future. To fulfill mankind's destiny amongst the stars!

[emeraldknight47]

It is a sad day for the American space program. I was hoping to see a shuttle launch in person someday, but it never happened because of the erracticness of their launch schedules. Sadly, now I'll never see one of these beauties lift off into the sky on a pillar of fire and smoke.

I am glad that the last trip went smoothly and everyone and everything made it back safely....!

[lepage]

The boom rattled my windows.

[megocrazy]

I'm surprised they never built anything on the moon. I'm not talking Moon Base Alpha or anything, but I would think they could do a lot of tests on that surface that would have been useful in the Mars testing for that trip.

[megoapesnut]

One of my facebook friends posted that we all should have worn ape costumes when the shuttle landed and give them a nice jolt.