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.
We know how many of you found our blog due to our pretty comprehensive (if we say so ourselves!) coverage of NASA’s STS-134 mission, so we had to share this beautifully put together video with you.
It serves as good as any tribute to Endeavour as you are likely to see, in an emotionally stirring and awe inspiring showcase of human ingenuity.
To us, a lot of the images you’ll see are virtually art. Shots that capture the grace and beauty of the orbiter along with the intense savagery and power expelled in sending the craft into space during ascent.
It remembers all the STS missions Endeavour has undertaken, and has a musical score that perfectly intensifies the images. We love it!
Farewell Endeavour, it’s been a pleasure watching you go where most of us can only dream of!
In March mattelk posted a video of footage shot from the SRB’s (Solid Rocket Boosters) during STS-133 Discovery’s launch in February. Today NASA Television on YouTube has released a similar video of footage filmed during STS-134 Endeavour’s launch on 16th May, which follows each SRB (from different angles) from launch right up until splashdown.
Some of these shots are truly amazing, and well worth half an hour of your time to see.
What is particularly interesting in the case of this video is the damage you can see occur to at least one of the shuttle’s heat tiles (at 28 minutes 15 seconds) which initially caused concern for NASA’s Mission Management team.
Seen to suddenly appear as a small white gouge in the launch video, the tile in question is actually noted in the image below as 600_1-001. All damaged tiles were eventually cleared as safe for re-entry with no repairs required.
Tile marked 600_1-001 above can be seen being damaged in the video (28m15s) - Credit: NASA
Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Sunday 29th May at 23:53 EDT (03:53 GMT/ 04:53 BST) with landing expected at Kennedy Space Centre at 02:32 EDT (06:32 GMT/ 07:32 BST) Wednesday 1st June, bringing to an end her last ever flight. Both undocking and landing events will be featured here via NASA TV!
STS-135 Atlantis will fly the last ever shuttle mission with a current launch target of 8th July, before all 3 remaining shuttles are moved to permanent display in museums.
