RIP the Shuttles

Kul

Kul

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Atlantis reach "wheelstop" about 2 minutes ago, so it's all over.

kinda feels sad
😢
 
Yeah. Where to now for space exploration? They should not have wasted money on the ISS. Should put that money towards reaching a new planet.
 
i need to start watching stargate again. i havent seen it in ages.

why does thor look like an old skinny oriental guy

![](http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTgRX4xjjpxrdFEEpq39OWAiUyvhG2t_-bqyhZOI_hlYISl4zNG5g&t=1)
 
"The universe is probably littered with the one-planet graves of cultures which made the sensible economic decision that there's no good reason to go into space–each discovered, studied, and remembered by the ones who made the irrational decision." xkcd.com
 
The space programs decline is a reflection of society as a whole.

We are no longer concerned with the whole and striving for greatness by any means.

It is no longer what can we do to make society better and give our children lofty dreams to reach for it is about what is in it for me.
 
I still have hope smeg
China is moving forward aggressively. Hopefully another space race can happen, meanwhile the commercial enterprises (excuse the pun) springing up are very promising!
Within two years private companies will start servicing the ISS - that is incredible! Virgin Galactic is also set to lift off very soon. Meanwhile the new and huge rover Curiosity will being doing some amazing work on Mars and will lift off later this year.
 
@smeghead said:
The space programs decline is a reflection of society as a whole.

We are no longer concerned with the whole and striving for greatness by any means.

It is no longer what can we do to make society better and give our children lofty dreams to reach for it is about what is in it for me.
Click to expand...

Be careful, smeghead, you will be accused of living in the past and not understanding "it is different today"!
You are so right that "today" is becoming about what is in it for ME, provided it happens real soon!
When you get to my age (old) the "living in the past" accusations get more regular.
 
One thing that is very sad is that now kids can no longer say "when I grow up I want to be an astronaut"

it's a step backwards to a pre-1960's era. Wow.
Sounds like Tony Abbott actually
 
I hope so Kul. I really do.

Not only has the space program bought millions hope and bound us together as a human race more than countries fighting for scraps but its dream, success and tragedies have given us some of the great oratory moments of recorded history.

Even though it's most memorable phrases are quotes the tenure and legacy of Regan was shaped by his speech regarding the Challenger disaster

_"The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."_

It is not all his material but it is a lasting memory of my childhood
 
@smeghead said:
The space programs decline is a reflection of society as a whole.

We are no longer concerned with the whole and striving for greatness by any means.

It is no longer what can we do to make society better and give our children lofty dreams to reach for it is about what is in it for me.
Click to expand...

Bam… nicce post dude and spot on imo
 
It's conducive to a "been there, done that" attitude unfortunately. Space exploration is so routine now that there's no charm or appeal (with the exception of the Columbia disaster which is more of a testament to the voyueristic attitude toward tragedy that is ingrained into the human psyche.)

The return to the moon will inspire a new generation, and the first Mars expedition should captivate everyone.

Space exploration in it's developmental stages were basically two unilateral programs which doubled up as a propaganda tool also which was why people in the 60's, 70's and 80's were inundated with coverage. Unfortunately, being a scientific venture for the betterment of all humanity and learning where we stand in the greater scheme of things doesn't warrant exposure to the general public to inspire others.

I'm enchanted by what is out there and will always take an active interest in any endeavour to explore and improve our understanding of the universe. It may very well save humanity in centuries to come.
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Do you think it's possible that the U.S. have space technology more advanced than what we think they have. There are american bases that have secret technology, including aircraft, that most people don't know about.
 
RIP Shuttle program. Humans need a 'wild west' to keep them aspiring to something. What have we got now? As kul said China is the current hope as they have the money to do something. India may also start being more active over the next decade. Everyone else is broke.

Alien - I'm guessing most recent secret research would have been into near earth hypersonic stuff rather than space stuff.
Something pretty cool from the 60's/ 70's is the Lockheed hypersonic program. The best source fro info is actually a model making company. Some of this guys stuff may be questionable but he does do a lot of research
http://www.dreamlandresort.com/forum/messages/5172.html
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/8379229
 
@Kul said:
Atlantis reach "wheelstop" about 2 minutes ago, so it's all over.

kinda feels sad
😢
Click to expand...

Sad indeed.

My most prized possession, apart from my WT jersey of course, is an autograph photograph of the first Space Shuttle launch of Columbia STS-1.

It reads in part “With Best Wishes from The Crew of the Spaceship Columbia”. Signed John Young and Bob Crippen, 3 July 1981 (date they autographed the picture).

At the time I was in the telecommunications industry and one of my roles was to ensure coms lines were available from various ground stations here in Australia back to NASA.

Hard to believe the journey is over.
 
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