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I'll always regret not seeing a shuttle launch. I went once and it was cancelled due to poor weather. Hopefully NASA will replace it with something equally spe

I'll always regret not seeing a shuttle launch. I went once and it was cancelled due to poor weather. Hopefully NASA will replace it with something equally spectacular, or perhaps I'll just have to wait and enjoy a private launch (from on-board).

pauldino 15y ago
NASA's current planned Shuttle replacement is derived from the Shuttle and has the same basic configuration apart from the orbiter, plus it's bigger. So I'm pretty hopeful... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System
drgath 15y ago
I was on the checkout page to book a flight for the last launch, then ultimately decided not to. I'd been wanting to see a Shuttle launch since I was a kid, but I realized we're going to have a lot more launches. Sure they won't be shuttles, but I'll be able to look at that launch and say "That's the rocket that is taking people to Mars." Not "That's the rocket that is going to take a shipment of astronaut ice cream up to the IIS and bring back bags of space poop for disposal." And when you look at the Ares V rocket. OMG, watching that take off is going to be sick! Size comparison: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7wB2gcr8lA/TAU3evWPPSI/AAAAAAAAIEw/PJeIEh96ey0/s1600/Maximum_payload.png http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7wB2gcr8lA/TAU3evWPPSI/AAAAAAAAIE... So don't be too bummed, you'll be able to see lots of great launches in your lifetime.
- Hoff 15y ago
  "However, the Constellation program, including Ares V was canceled in October 2010 by the passage of the 2010 NASA authorization bill."
aidenn0 15y ago
I went once; my grandfather had gotten VIP passes. It was January 1986.
- pyre 15y ago
  If 'January 1986' is meant to refer to Challenger, keep in mind that Columbia was launched Jan 12 1986[1], and Challenger was launched Jan 28, 1986[2]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-51-L http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-51-L
blhack 15y ago
There's something unquantifiable about the shuttle, though. Downvote me for this, because it's offtopic, and silly, but seeing the shuttle perched up there with those huge tanks of fuel strapped to it's chest reminds me of my dog when I come home from work. She just looks excited. The rockets don't. They don't have as much personality. Every time I see the shuttle, it looks like it's happy, and it's excited to be going to space. The rockets just look like hammers. Actually, it kindof does look like a dog's nose: http://www.enstoneflyingclubblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/shuttle_01_1680x1050.jpg http://www.enstoneflyingclubblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20...

pauldino 15y ago

NASA's current planned Shuttle replacement is derived from the Shuttle and has the same basic configuration apart from the orbiter, plus it's bigger. So I'm pretty hopeful... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System

drgath 15y ago

I was on the checkout page to book a flight for the last launch, then ultimately decided not to. I'd been wanting to see a Shuttle launch since I was a kid, but I realized we're going to have a lot more launches. Sure they won't be shuttles, but I'll be able to look at that launch and say "That's the rocket that is taking people to Mars." Not "That's the rocket that is going to take a shipment of astronaut ice cream up to the IIS and bring back bags of space poop for disposal." And when you look at the Ares V rocket. OMG, watching that take off is going to be sick! Size comparison: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7wB2gcr8lA/TAU3evWPPSI/AAAAAAAAIEw/PJeIEh96ey0/s1600/Maximum_payload.png http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7wB2gcr8lA/TAU3evWPPSI/AAAAAAAAIE... So don't be too bummed, you'll be able to see lots of great launches in your lifetime.

Hoff 15y ago
"However, the Constellation program, including Ares V was canceled in October 2010 by the passage of the 2010 NASA authorization bill."

aidenn0 15y ago

I went once; my grandfather had gotten VIP passes. It was January 1986.

pyre 15y ago
If 'January 1986' is meant to refer to Challenger, keep in mind that Columbia was launched Jan 12 1986[1], and Challenger was launched Jan 28, 1986[2]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-51-L http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-51-L

blhack 15y ago

There's something unquantifiable about the shuttle, though. Downvote me for this, because it's offtopic, and silly, but seeing the shuttle perched up there with those huge tanks of fuel strapped to it's chest reminds me of my dog when I come home from work. She just looks excited. The rockets don't. They don't have as much personality. Every time I see the shuttle, it looks like it's happy, and it's excited to be going to space. The rockets just look like hammers. Actually, it kindof does look like a dog's nose: http://www.enstoneflyingclubblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/shuttle_01_1680x1050.jpg http://www.enstoneflyingclubblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20...