Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The End of the Space Shuttle Program

It's time to dust off the blog with kiddo #2 ready to arrive anytime. So I thought in tribute to the last Space Shuttle Mission (STS-135), I would post a few pictures...I had the privilege to be a part of the program and had the opportunity not only to work missions, but to see the most amazing machines ever built by man up close and personal. I got to see the launches of STS-95 in 1998 (when John Glenn flew) where I got to see the space shuttle in person for the very first time - my first road trip with Lenny too, STS-93 in 1999 (Eileen Collins was the first female commander), STS-123 in 2008 with my parents and Aunt and Uncle, STS-124 in 2008 for a Space Flight Awareness Award, and STS-131 in 2010 to see my friend Dottie off. I also was lucky enough to see two landings, STS-119 where I was part of a flight experiment and STS-131 for the flight experiment again and to watch Dottie come home. It is a sad day for us all at NASA...

Lenny and I standing on the launch pad on the back side the stacked Endeavour in 1998.

STS-123 was in the middle of the night, here we are anxiously awaiting launch!


Right before the launch of STS-124, yes Samantha is in this picture too! :)

Atlantis in the VAB - my favorite.

Got to go inside Endeavour - this is the side hatch - I am coming out of the Orbiter.

The docking hatch inside Endeavour, that's me on top of the picture.

In the commander's seat!

Checking out the aft stick looking out on the payload bay.

Next to the tail of Discovery just after it landed for STS-131.

Under Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility just after STS-131.

Inside where the main engines usually sit on Discovery.

Next to the wing on Atlantis just prior to rollout for STS-132 in the VAB.

Me and Atlantis in the VAB - getting ready for STS-132.

The wing of Discovery after STS-119.

The nose of Discovery after STS-119.

The flight experiment right after STS-119 landing.

The body flap of Atlantis in the VAB - getting ready for roll-out for STS-125.



Discovery landing to close out STS-131.