RIP Space Shuttle Program

Saw it land on TV.

It is surely a rarity to see a government program end. I remember watching the first lunar landing, which was 42 yrs ago this week.
I guess "what goes up, must come down."

It's disappointing to know that the shuttle program has ended. I've visited KSC a couple times and seen three launches in person as well. I'll always have fond memories of those moments as it really is an amazing achievement.

Hopefully new spacecraft come online sooner rather than later.

At this point my sense of desire for awareness of the universe has to be tempered with cost and value applicable to my world and its limits.

Having said that, making excursions to the Ellison Onizuka Space Center on the Big Island important... no, mandatory for myself and my companions helps me pay homage to the Shuttle Program and all involved, whether with us or no longer so. I'm glad to know that space is a limitless frontier for us humans but it would feel a little better if stewardship of our own little blue marble was better done.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
I've visited KSC a couple times and seen three launches in person as well.

Hell, I've visited him a couple times. All we get is lunches.

In all seriousness, I was sad to see the program come to an end. Even with its flaws, an amazing achievement. I'll watch the private efforts with great interest. I'm not comfortable relying on the Russian program to handle things in the meantime. Nothing against them, their equipment and QC is a little suspect.

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
I'm not comfortable relying on the Russian program to handle things in the meantime. Nothing against them, their equipment and QC is a little suspect.

PH

I echo these sentiments. Plus, I'm not thrilled with the idea of US tax dollars funding the Russian space program instead of our own. I understand the necessity to mothball an aging fleet, I just am appalled at how short-sighted our government was, not to at least have a plan as to what to replace them with, decades ago.

As a kid, my best friend and I were space geeks, watching the Apollo program. We dreamed of a day when space launches would be commonplace, instead of huge news events.

RIP indeed. Who knows what's in store, but it'll take some bold new frontier to capture our imagination in the same way again. Trip to Mars anybody???