Discovery to perform one of the most spectacular shuttle moves Saturday at 1 p.m.

[1776Forever]

Shuttle prepares for space station rendezvous
By James Dean, Florida Today

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2011-02-25-shuttle_N.htm

CAPE CANAVERAL — Discovery will perform one of the most spectacular shuttle moves Saturday before docking at the International Space Station for the last time.

Discovery was the first orbiter to execute the nose-over-tail backflip just 600 feet below the outpost, as part of new heat shield inspection procedures that helped return the shuttle fleet to flight after the Columbia accident...

On Saturday, station residents wielding high-resolution cameras will shoot a new round of pictures as Discovery commander Steve Lindsey executes the eight-minute backflip around 1 p.m., exposing the shuttle's belly.

The maneuver first attempted by Discovery has become part of the shuttle's lasting legacy over its 39 flights. It's how the shuttle is pictured in a tribute displayed in KSC's Launch Control Center.

........

Something to share with the kids or just to enjoy yourself.

Links:

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

Enjoy!

:patriot:

[Dover]

1. Thanks for those links. I learned two important things I hadn't known.

The first is that their lead engineer Tim Kopra wasn't able to go on this flight due to a bicycle injury in January (perhaps a broken hip).
The second is that a "human-like" robot will be aboard and will be left behind at the space station.
I'd sure like to know more about THAT.

And a question - if this is the end of the space shuttle program, what does that mean for manned space flight in the near and far future? What's next?

[Chichiri]

2. Constellation has been cancelled (grr Obama), but I think Orion is still developing

They're basically larger versions of the Apollo capsules, seating 4 people I believe, and might be ready to go in, I want to say four or five years.

Meanwhile, we have to hitch rides with the Russians.

[Dover]

3. Thanks. I didn't know about either of those programs...n/t

[kentauros]

4. Some of the people from the online radio station somafm

went to KSC for the launch and posted plenty of photos. Two are of the "Robonaut R2" and a little explanation of it :)

http://somafm.com/missioncontrol/live.html

They're also broadcasting the audio from the mission with ambient music mixed in on top. It's a cool listening experience :D

http://somafm.com/missioncontrol/

[Dover]

5. That is so cool, thanks! I love that description of the launch from 3 miles away.

And the 'robonaut'... hmmm.

Nice links.

[social_critic]

6. Very very expensive space circus

I've always considered the Space Shuttle and Space Station a very very expensive space circus. The cost/benefit ratio for those two are terrible, they are expensive toys, and the engineering used to design them was a fiasco. Hopefully, some day you guys will realize just how wasteful it has been, so we can avoid making the same mistake again.

[BeFree]

7. Just the right wing alone...

...could have paid for and launched another dozen drones on Iraq, right?

[social_critic]

11. I don't know the cost of a drone in Iraq

I wouldn't know. I do know each shuttle launch costs more than a Mars probe. And a Mars probe gets a lot more science done.

[1776Forever]

8. Circus? Well the ring master used to be the USA now who knows? China? Probably n/t

[social_critic]

17. Let China do it

A manned space station is fairly useless. It doesn't do worthwhile research. If the Chinese want to waste their money, let them. We should be flying robots into space.

[1776Forever]

10. Check this out for more info and AstroRobotnaut is on twitter at

@AstroRobonaut - Enjoy!

And

Space.com

http://www.space.com/

[Dover]

16. Thanks! n/t

[Beaverhausen]

9. thanks for the links!

[1776Forever]

12. You're very welcome! Everyone should be watching - Magnificent! K n/t

[Beaverhausen]

13. this may sound weird but that song "From a Distance" is going through my head

that shuttle and space station are flying over a planet with lots of turmoil happening

[1776Forever]

14. The International Space Station is one of the few accomplishments the world can say they did

together in a peaceful gesture. It is too bad we can't build a better quality of life together instead of trying to defeat each other because of religion or prejudice!

[1776Forever]

15. Per NASA:

International Space Station mass now 1.2 million pounds with shuttle, ATV, HTV, Soyuz and Progress all docked at station for 1st time ever.

........

And last time too.