Space shuttle Atlantis launched!!

[Liz]

What the!! Missed this one
Was launched yesterday from Kennedy Space centre, on what could be Atlantis's final voyage. It is on a 12 day voyage to ISS to deliver a Russian module.
Only 2 further flights expected this year, from Discovery and Endeavour, then the Orbiter fleet will be retired.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8681451.stm

[Liz]

ooops, sorry, didnt see your post Simon, glad some peoples were watching!!
ooh, yikes, was in the wee hours when I was sound asleep.

[Morepower (Craig)]

So what are they going to use if they stand down the Shuttles ? Do they have anything built yet ?

[Kevnool (Kev)]

The next Generation of space travel is here.
Cheers Kev.

[MikeyB (Michael)]

If the shuttles aren't flying, NASA's Plan B is to buy places on Russian Soyuz launches. I can't believe the Americans of all people would ever come to this!

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by MikeyB

If the shuttles aren't flying, NASA's Plan B is to buy places on Russian Soyuz launches. I can't believe the Americans of all people would ever come to this!

… and that single-use rockets turn out to be more economical than re-usable shuttles. Then again, most parts of a shuttle launch are single use as well.

Cheers
Steffen.

[kustard (Simon)]

Originally Posted by Liz

ooops, sorry, didnt see your post Simon, glad some peoples were watching!!
ooh, yikes, was in the wee hours when I was sound asleep.

That's ok Liz, I almost got up at 4 but then sleep got the better of me hehehe

[Liz]

Just heard on the news, that Atlantis is already on its way home!!

[star1961 (Lisa)]

if you're as addicted as me you get the updates from NASA then you dont miss a second!
but i was way too tired to get up at 6am to see atlantis and the ISS on saturday morning!