Final Farewell to the Shuttles

 

The Space Shuttle was one of the pinnacles of human achievement in terms of technology. A craft that could not only re-enter the atmosphere after it's mission, but a craft that could be re-used. 

The prototype, Enterprise, was unveiled on 17 September 1976. 

12 April 1981, Columbia made it first orbit and return.

From 1981-2011, combined, the shuttles flew 135 missions, involving science experiments, launching satellites and space probes, building the international space station and launching repairing the Hubble telescope, to name a few. 

Six of these amazing craft were built. Enterprise, Columbia, Discovery, Challenger, Atlantis and Endeavor. They would exit the atmosphere aboard external rockets, which would fall off in different stages. It's re-entry was even more amazing. Despite it's bulky look, it glided perfectly till it's landing. 

They were not without disaster though. 28 January 1986, Challenger exploded into pieces, 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members and on the 1st of February 2003, Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, killing it's crew of seven. 

NASA announced the retirement of the aging fleet and Atlantis was launched on 8th July 2011, returning to earth on 21st July 2011, spelling the last mission for the shuttles. 

Despite bad viewpoints from many quarters, the shuttles performed remarkably for a long period. They were expensive to maintain and launch, but the technology is so far unmatched. Considering the numerous risks posed by space debris and mechanics, I think they performed above expectation. 

They will all be retired and be used as museum pieces in various museums and space centers. 

So far, NASA has no replacement and has to rely on the Ruskies for space transportation. I would have thought, with the success of the Shuttle program, their follow up would be ready upon the retirement of the shuttles. Obviously my thinking and NASA's do not go hand in hand. With various commercial space programs in the works, we will wait and see whether NASA can come up with another re-entry vehicle, before the private sector does. 

The final photo shows Discovery pigging backing a Boeing 747, as it circled the White House, the Capitol and Washington Monument, in a final fly over. This is my final farewell to a program that captured my imagination as a teen. A farewell, that does contain a lump in the throat.