Well done NASA...go Atlantis and crew.
Every time I see a shuttle launch, I recall the words in a Time magazine issue (that I still have), describing the first launch in 1981: "magnificent on the pad, a space age Taj Mahal that leapt into the sky on twin pillars of impossible bright yellow and blue flame".
There's nothing else like a shuttle launch, and I'll miss it when it's gone (I've *got* to see a launch personally, sometime soon). As I watch the shuttle climbing out, I also think of the systems on board, and the many things that have been prepared carefully for this flight. I'm impressed with the team at KSC (and all over) that prepares these vehicles for flight, and launches them. Congrats, to you all - really nice job.
Jon
Great thoughts. There really isn't anything like it...it's truly magnificent, breathtaking, and undescribable in words. And I've never seen one personally either. I watched it on HDNet in 5.1 surround, and it was simply amazing.
I am heading down for STS-118 to experience it firsthand.
Especially the ET team, an absolutely great recovery!
Well done to the huge team behind this launch and Atlantis herself.
Just the start though, this only start to end at wheel stop.
Very nicely put, Jon, and if you haven't seen one in person, that needs to happen.
Getting that up there is a huge achievement, a huge team effort. Well done to all involved. And thanks to Chris and his contributors who are giving us such great insights into the effort that's required.
One more note. Despite all the politics(capital and small p), all the bad press, all the program controversies, all the controversial decisions current and past, all the organisational kung fu: NASA & contractor staff should take pride in this achievement.