2011 saw the final missions fly of NASA’s iconic space shuttle program, so we were spoiled with fantastic images througout every stage of each mission.
One such dramatic image is the choice for our astronomy advent calendar count-down for today.
Day 8
Astronomy Advent Calendar 8th December - Not usually the sort of thing NASA want to see the day before launch! (click to enlarge) - Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
This amazing shot of Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A was taken on 28th April 2011, the day before the original scheduled launch of the shuttle Endeavour on the STS-134 mission.
The shuttle was fine, however a fault detected in a fuel heater in Auxiliary Power Unit No. 1 eventually meant the launch was pushed back until 16th May. The primary payload on this mission was the AMS-02 Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer particle detector, which was mounted to the ISS.
Its main goal is helping us in understanding of the origin of the Universe, by searching for antimatter, dark matter and measuring cosmic rays.
NASA’s shuttle program is over, all three birds are safely home, and millions of us around the world watched in wonder (and a little sadness) knowing we would never see Atlantis and her sisters fly again.
I’ve watched replays of the launch more times than I care to admit and have seen the mission highlights shown on NASA TV many times too, so don’t be too surprised to see more NASA vids as time goes by!
Below you’ll find a half hour Atlantis “ascent highlights” video. Cameras mounted on the SRB’s (Solid Rocket Boosters) rolled from launch, through ascent, separation, and back again to splashdown in the Atlantic ocean.
We love this footage, it helps highlight just how brave and ingenious us human beings can be when everyone is focused on achieving the same goal.
The shuttle Atlantis and her crew of four are soon to descend to Earth for the very last time. Not only bringing to a close its 13 day mission taking supplies to the ISS, but drawing the curtain on a program that has lasted 30 years. All three remaining orbiters in the NASA space shuttle fleet are being decommissioned and moved for permanent display in museums.
Touchdown of Atlantis will be a sight never to be witnessed again live, but thankfully (as with other recent shuttle landings!) we’ve got NASA TV below which will cover the descent from de-orbit burn to wheel-stop (on the runway at Kennedy Space Center), and beyond!
Earlier today the Mission Management Team cleared Atlantis’ heat shield for re-entry when full checks performed using the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (after undocking from the ISS) showed no causes for concern.
After a revision to the earlier schedule, Atlantis has been given two opportunities to land, the first timed at 05:56 EDT (09:56 GMT/ 10:56 BST) when weather forecasters expect conditions to be perfect, and a second attempt possibility at 07:32 EDT (11:32 GMT/ 12:32 BST). NASA officials are resisting calls to delay landing to the second opportunity, even though keen observers of the shuttle would prefer the better light enabling them to see the spacecraft approaching over Florida’s “Space Coast“.
The shuttle program has meant so much to so many people, from the engineers and technicians who have poured their heart and soul into building the very best machine possible, to small children staring open mouthed in awe and wonder at one of the finest examples of what humankind can achieve.
God speed Atlantis, we will never forget the fantastic sights the space shuttles have helped us see, the advances you helped us make, and the triumphs and tragedies we shared along the way.
See you on the runway at KSC soon. It’s gonna be emotional.
Current NASA TV Schedule:
Payload bay door closing 02:09 EDT (06:09 GMT/ 07:09 BST)
*Should NASA switch to the second landing opportunity timings, we’ll update you on Twitter and on this blog (they will also announce any changes on NASA TV)
In just a few hours NASA’s STS-135Atlantis will undock from the ISS for the very last time as the mission enters its final few days. Never again will we be able to witness the graceful “ballet” of the orbiter departing the station, separating so slowly yet both travelling over 17,000mph!
Undocking is due on Tuesday 19th July at 02:28 EDT (06:28 GMT/ 07:28 BST), followed by Atlantis performing a “flyaround” the station, both as a victory lap and to provide opportunity for a late inspection of the orbiter’s heat shield. Watch live on the NASA TV feed below.
If you have never seen an orbiter undock from the ISS it’s pretty awesome to watch, and as this sight will never be seen again it is likely to be quite an event. The NASA TV schedule for the undocking is as follows:
Atlantis undocks from ISS at02:28 EDT (06:28 GMT/ 07:28 BST)
Atlantis flyaround of ISS begins at03:27 EDT (07:27 GMT/ 08:27 BST)
Atlantis final separation from ISS at04:18 EDT (08:18 GMT/ 09:18 BST)
Late inspection of Atlantis TPS* at06:34 EDT (10:34 GMT/ 11:34 BST)
*Thermal Protection System
Landing is scheduled for Thursday 21st July at 05:57 EDT (09:57 GMT/ 10:57 BST), so don’t miss your last chance to see this beautiful spacecraft in operation, the shuttle has been iconic and will be greatly missed.
Remember you can also follow Atlantis on her way home through Google Earth (click here).
The hatches have been closed, leak checks performed, and Expedition 28 members on the ISS have said goodbye to a shuttle crew for the very last time.
Hatches between the International Space Station and the space shuttle were officially closed for the final time at 10:28 EDT (14:28 GMT/ 15:28 BST) after a poignant farewell ceremony, having been open for seven days, 21 hours and 41 minutes.
Atlantis Commander Chris Ferguson thanks the Expedition 28 crew for their hospitality - Credit: NASA TV
Atlantis‘ crew spent the remainder of today preparing for Tuesday’s early morning undocking, before the station crew went to sleep at 13:29 EDT (17:29 GMT/ 18:29 BST), with the shuttle crew entering their sleep period half an hour later.
Undocking is sheduled for Tuesday 19th July at 02:28 EDT (06:28 GMT/ 07:28 BST) when STS-135 Atlantis will perform a “fly-around” the station, with a late inspection of the orbiter’s heat shield expected. Landing is due at Kennedy Space Center on Thursday 21st July at 05:57 EDT (09:57 GMT/ 10:57 BST).
We’ll be covering both undocking and the final shuttle landing here at Sky-Watching, so check back later for the NASA TV feed and additional information.
These sights will never be seen live again, history is being written before our eyes so let’s help ensure Atlantis and the shuttle program are given the send off they deserve!
