Space Shuttle Missions

[Doz]

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla

One of most popular exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is this full size mock-up of the space shuttle, and it's partly why top brass here are refining their sales pitch amidst stiff competition to receive one of the orbiters which will be retired with the program.

"It's appropriate, since we are here at Kennedy Space Center said Andrea Farmer," spokesperson for the Delaware North owned Visitor Complex. "This is where every space shuttle is launched from, more than half of them have landed here, and they've been cared for here."

Twenty-one companies are vying for NASA's giveaway of shuttles Atlantis and Endeavor, but just getting the shuttle to the location is why so few can afford it. Prepping and shipping the spacecraft on the back of a Boeing 747 will cost the winners close to $29 million dollars. NASA also requires the retired shuttles be stored indoors, which can be very expensive.

The Visitor Complex says they would display the shuttle in a unique way if they get one. The tourist destination envisions getting the wheels off the ground, which opens up the possibility of it being positioned vertically with payload bay doors open, or even hanging upside down. But officially, Farmer would say little else about a possible display for competitive reasons.

"Let's just say that we want to position it and display it such that it's working in space she said.

Since there's no guarantee a shuttle would retire on the Space Coast, politicians like U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas have been lobbying with letters, while websites are popping up with online petitions.

The Visitor Center already houses actual spacecraft from every retired NASA space program; Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. But the tourist destination, which draws one and half-a-million visitors a year won't say whether or not it would increase its price of admission if the Space Coast wins a shuttle.

Meanwhile, a decision on who will win the shuttles must wait until it's determined if Congress will pass legislation to officially add an extra launch.

Texas has Johnson Space Center. They should get a Shuttle
Smithsonian should get Shuttle
Cape Canaveral Kennedy Space Center should get a Shuttle, Since our local economy needs the tourist

[Doz]

STS-133 Crew at Kennedy

In the engine shop at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 crew members pause for a photo in front of a shuttle main engine.

From left are: Pilot Eric Boe, Mission Specialist Michael Barratt, Commander Steve Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Nicole Stott and Tim Kopra.

Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
July 8, 2010

[Doz]

[Doz]

Columbia Tribute




Challenger Tribute




Discovery Tribute




Atlantis Tribute




Endeavour Tribute




Source Info Link = http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1427

[Doz]

Amazing journey: Local rocketry expert reflects on NASA's shuttle program


Charles Leeper, local expert on the U.S. space program, stands inside the observatory at his Middletown home. Rich Cooley/Daily



Leeper talks about the impact the space shuttle program has had on the United States. Rich Cooley/Daily


By James Heffernan

MIDDLETOWN -- Space travel should never be considered routine.

If it seems that way to modern Americans, credit the space shuttle program, NASA's one-time prodigy, which has been propelling astronauts and equipment into space with the force of a rocket and returning them to earth with the ease of a jet glider for 30 years.

The program's more than 130 missions, which have revolved around the development of the International Space Station, repair work and the occasional recovery of a satellite, generally aren't as sexy as those of its older cousins like the pioneering Gemini or the lunar-landing Apollo.

Now with the shuttle program winding down -- only two more launches are planned: Discovery on Nov. 1 and Endeavour in late February -- it might be easy to look past the aging fleet, particularly as NASA shifts its focus toward robotics-based surface mapping and the search for life on other planets.

Charles Leeper, of Middletown, knows better. The retired engineer, whose 40-year career in rocketry spanned from the development of liquid propulsion systems to ship-based ballistic missiles to nuclear reactors, says the shuttle program has been a resounding success.

"Oh heavens, yes," the 87-year-old says without hesitation, his eyes twinkling like the nighttime sky.

If nothing else, he says, the space shuttle proved that a manned spacecraft could orbit the Earth and then return to touch down safely on a runway so that it could be reused. Before Columbia's maiden voyage in April 1981, astronauts had to land using parachutes.

With the shuttle, "we learned to land using a guidance system as opposed to a joystick," Leeper says.

The shuttle's design allows the craft to take itself out of orbit by firing its main engines then slowing it down so that it won't burn up upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

"When you're up there, you've got gravity pulling on you," Leeper says. "Those three engines proved just right."

In addition, he says, the space shuttle is the only freighter with the payload capacity to transport large pieces of equipment to and from the International Space Station, a laboratory being shared by 15 countries. The lab's other main supply vehicle, Russia's Soyuz, has a limited capacity.

"The [shuttle] program sort of grew up with that lab," Leeper says.

An avid star gazer with a retractable-roof observatory in his backyard, Leeper also credits the space shuttle program for improving the science of astronomy by launching the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990.

"It was designed to fit inside the shuttle," he says.

The telescope's massive light-gathering mirror is "bringing us back news about the 300 or so planets that are orbiting other solar systems," about 30 of which are capable of supporting life, he says.

Of course, the space shuttle program has had its share of setbacks over the years, namely the tragic losses of Challenger 73 seconds after liftoff in 1986 and Columbia about 16 minutes before its expected landing in 2003. A total of 14 U.S. astronauts died.

"It's hard to believe that we lost those crews," Leeper says. "But then [Christopher] Columbus lost a lot of people getting to the Indies. ... Sometimes you learn things the hard way."

The space shuttle program was originally supposed to be retired next year, with the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and the Orion spacecraft waiting in the wings. However, federal budget cuts have placed the development of those crafts in doubt, and the Obama administration has asked Congress to instead endorse a scaled-back plan for space exploration with heavy reliance on the private sector.

"It's a real challenge to sit with congressmen," says Leeper, who envisions a tug-of-war for federal dollars between transportation and science in the coming years. "They have to think about how much [money] to put where."

As for the prospect of putting U.S. astronauts on Mars in the near future -- a goal of President Obama's prior to his election -- Leeper says that's unlikely. The use of robot caterpillars on the surface of the "Red Planet," where temperatures can reach 190 degrees below zero, makes more sense and "saves wear and tear on human beings," he says.

Whatever form the U.S. space program ends up taking, Leeper plans on being there to witness it.

"I've been working hard to make sure I'll be around," he says. "It's been a good ride."



Source Link info = http://www.nvdaily.com/lifestyle/201...le-program.php

[Doz]

Astronauts Leaving NASA

With the end of the shuttle program scheduled for next year and the future of the program-of-record (Constellation) in the air many astronauts are departing NASA. Several astronauts have left the space agency recently – and the exodus continues. Astronauts Scott Altman and Linda Godwin have announced that they will leave the agency.

Altman is a retired U.S. Navy captain he joined NASA in March of 1995. He has flown four space shuttle missions, in so doing he has logged more than 51 days in space. He was the pilot of missions STS-90 in 1998 and STS-106 in 2000. He is perhaps best known as the commander of the final two missions to the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-109 in 2002 and STS-125 in 2009.

Godwin joined the space agency back in 1980 where she worked in NASA’s Payload Operations Division. She was selected as an astronaut five years later. Godwin has flown on four shuttle missions during which she logged more than 38 days in space. Godwin has logged more than 10 hours during her two spacewalks. She flew aboard STS-37 in 1991; served as payload commander of STS-59 in 1994; and flew on STS-76 in 1996 and STS-108 in 2001.

[Doz]

[Doz]

"Keep a Shuttle in Florida"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shuttle/

[Doz]

Space news site

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/

[Doz]

Water main break at space center stalls shuttle
By MARCIA DUNN (AP) – 6 hours ago
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A water main break at NASA's spaceport has launch preparations on hold for the next-to-last shuttle flight.
Space shuttle Discovery was supposed to be moved Wednesday from the hangar to the giant Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That's where the fuel tank and booster rockets are attached to a shuttle.
But the water main break forced NASA to close the space center to most personnel. And Discovery's short trip from one building to another was delayed until at least Thursday.
Discovery is supposed to blast off Nov. 1 with supplies for the International Space Station. NASA says Wednesday's trouble will not affect the launch date. Endeavour will follow in February to close out the shuttle program.