Man, I already miss phrases like "Mike Leinbach polling his team". I'll miss the uncertainty, when we never knew if the shuttle would launch that day or not.
Prior to Columbia, I never thought the shuttle program would ever end. I thought NASA would build new orbiters and there'd be missions like STS-759 or STS-923. The shuttle seemed so perfect.
I just want to say:
R.I.P. Columbia, Challenger...
Goodbye Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour...
payload canister returning Rafaello and the PM to the SSPF:
From Chris Ferguson (@Astro_Ferg) via Twitter:
Small "Piccosat" deployed on last day of mission w/ camera. Result: the last picture ever taken of a Shuttle in space.
http://yfrog.com/kkcerabj
From Chris Ferguson (@Astro_Ferg) via Twitter:
Small "Piccosat" deployed on last day of mission w/ camera. Result: the last picture ever taken of a Shuttle in space. http://yfrog.com/kkcerabj
Pete,
That really touches my heart. What a beautiful image for the finale of a great program. Atlantis in orbit around the Earth, performing her final task, with a glowing sun shining down. Thanks for sharing.
David
To close this loop:
http://mobile.twitter.com/nasa/status/99437776327548929
Did you see #STS135 commander Chris Ferguson on David Letterman last night? If not, watch it here http://go.nasa.gov/oy8bGC
LOVE the Omega logo embroidered on his shirt. The crew wore polos with that logo on them during the mission. Anything with that simplified logo (without the diamond and the names) available for us mortals anywhere?
Land's End Business Outfitters. Anyone can order a shirt with that logo. The trick is, you have to know the logo number, and typically only the folks who paid for the logo setup know the logo number.