Atlantis headed to Hubble one last time
This may be a bit nostalgic, but it’s a bitter sweet feeling to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis headed to the Hubble Space Telescope one last time. To see it doing so is a sign that the era of the Space Shuttle is nearing an end. The shuttle program is scheduled to be phased out sometime in 2010, after the International Space Station is complete. Many have questioned the shuttle program and have asked why it is important. Outside of the tangible results we have seen, there is something else that is not so tangible. That is the “can do” spirit the program represents for the American people. That is not something we should take lightly.
I remember when the Space Shuttle first began flying in 1981 with it’s first orbital test flight. There was a wealth of magazine articles to read about the program and it’s development. The best ones were in National Geographic and I still remember the awe I felt at looking at a photograph of a cube of the material that makes up the protective tile on the bottom of the shuttle. It was glowing red hot, yet it could be held by the corners. I was just a teen aged boy then, but it looked like magic to me.
What was even more amazing was the landing. With what would become it’s trademark twin sonic booms, Columbia glided in so fast that the chase planes had trouble keeping up. With all of it’s technology, the landing was done by hand. Pilot Robert Crippen guided the shuttle to a perfect landing, with it’s front landing gear coming to rest within inches of the mark he was aiming for on the landing strip.
Throughout the history of the Space Shuttle, there have been a number of fantastic missions that have done some amazing things. Satellites that were disabled were captured, repaired, and returned to orbit, all within the confines of the shuttle. All of this is done while traveling at around 17,580 miles per hour. One of the moments I remember the most is when this photo of a repair mission was released. Maybe I am still a kid at heart, but I still think this is as neat as it can be.
The International Space Station is nearly complete and would not be thus, were it not for the shuttle fleet. The Russians can provide supply missions, but their spacecraft is unable to do construction work.
As for Hubble, this is the last time the Space Shuttle will see the telescope. Hubble was not designed to be worked on in space, but because of the ingenuity of NASA and the crews of the Space Shuttle, the telescope has lasted much longer than was originally planned.
Everyone remembers the tragedies of Challenger and Columbia, which is one reason Endeavor is now sitting on the launchpad, ready to go during a three day launch period, if it is needed to rescue the members of Atlantis’ crew. Unlike the space station, there is no place to stay at Hubble. It would be a dangerous and daring mission if Endeavor has to fly to the rescue, but it’s something NASA would do if worse comes to worse. Plans have already been made for a worst case scenario. Here’s to hoping and praying Endeavor gets to stay on the ground and Atlantis returns to terra firma safely.
Godspeed, Atlantis and be safe up there.
I’m a big fan of the space program and have been ever since I was a kid. I have to turn off my “logic button” because when I think about it rationally I generally come down on the side of “this isn’t worth it”; but I do get an enormous kick and sense of pride whenever I watch liftoff. And whenever I think of it and get the chance I check the schedule of when the space station will be overhead and go outside for a look. It’s especially fantastic to see just prior to the shuttle docking or just after release as you see the two of them flying together across the night sky. For those interested go to spaceflight.nasa.gov then click on realdata and then enter first your country, then state, then nearest city and it will give you flyover times for the next couple of weeks. Last night was dark and clear and the space station was so bright it was amazing. Enjoy!
I agree with you completely, Mike. Yes, the space program has had it’s troubles, but no other country has been able to tackle such a monumental task as going into orbit, returning safely, and reusing the same vehicle and do it so well. It’s just another example of the American “can do” spirit.
What a wonderful accomplishment the crew of Atlantis made with the repair, upgrade and release of the Hubble. Without the space program just think of how many things still we would not know or understand. We have come along ways and hopefully we will continue to grow and learn with our eye in the sky back in order.
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