For Discovery:
This Tribute Display features Discovery demonstrating the renowned Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver on approach to the International Space Station (ISS) during STS-114. Having accumulated the most space shuttle flights, Discovery’s 39 mission patches are shown encircling the vehicle. The background image was taken from the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched aboard Discovery on STS-31 and serviced by Discovery on STS-82 and STS-103. The prominent American flag and eagle represent Discovery’s two “Return to Flight” missions, STS-26 and STS-114, and symbolize Discovery’s heroic role in returning American astronauts to spaceflight. Discovery’s significant accomplishments include the first female Shuttle pilot (Eileen Collins on STS-63), John Glenn’s legendary STS-95 mission, and the celebration of the 100th space shuttle mission with STS-92. In addition, Discovery supported numerous Department of Defense programs, satellite deploy/repair missions, and 13 flights for construction and operation of the ISS.
For Atlantis
This Tribute Display features Atlantis soaring above the earth. Atlantis flew seven missions to space station Mir. In addition to its many assembly, construction, and resupply missions to the International Space Station, Atlantis also flew the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission on STS-125. The planet Venus represents the Magellan probe deployed during STS-30, and the planet Jupiter represents the Galileo probe deployed during STS-34. Threaded through the design are the mission patches for each of Atlantis’ flights. The inset photos illustrate various aspects of space shuttle processing as well as significant achievements such as the “glass cockpit” and the first shuttle docking with Mir during STS-71. The inset photo in the upper left corner shows a rainbow over Atlantis on Pad A and Endeavour on Pad B. Endeavour was the assigned vehicle had Atlantis’ STS-125 mission needed rescue, and this was the last time both launch pads were occupied simultaneously. The stars in the background represent the many people who have worked with Atlantis and their contributions to the vehicle’s success.
For Endeavour
This Tribute Display features Endeavour soaring into orbit above the sailing vessel HMS Endeavour for which the orbiter was named. The Cupola, delivered to the International Space Station by Endeavour on STS-130, is shown framing various images of Endeavour. The images represent the phases of mission processing and execution for the Space Shuttle Program. The first ever use of a drag chute during orbiter landing (STS-49) is depicted in the top window and moving clockwise the images symbolize the following: Rollout to the Pad, Ferry Flight return to Kennedy Space Center, Orbiter Processing Facility Roll-in, Docking at the International Space Station, and Lifting Operations for Orbiter Mate in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The background image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and signifies the first servicing mission which was performed by the Endeavour crew on STS-61. Crew-designed patches from Endeavour’s maiden voyage through her final mission are shown ascending toward the stars.
As a child growing up listening (no television… just radio) to John Carpenter’s first flight, and then to John Glenn’s successful orbit of the Earth, we are in full agreement that the demise of the manned space program is likely a very large error.
How much of that opinion is based in emotion, as opposed to sound, scientific judgement… time will tell.
MB- I ‘know’ a large part of mine is emotion, mixed with some science… I’ve had two AOCS classmates fly as Astronauts, Kay Hire and Wendy Lawrence, both have wonderful stories, AND they did important science too; and this is a capability not only the US, but the WORLD is losing!
I remember, as a very young child, watching a mission go up. However, as a child of the ’80s, all I’ve really known are the shuttle missions. I remember watching with a knot in my stomach during the first take-off and then the landing. I also have vivid memories of walking into my house after a mid-term exam, on a winter’s day. I put on my television and as it warmed up I could hear that the shuttle was taking off; just as the television screen came to full color, it exploded. Horrific. I will never forget that day.
We seem to live in a country where everything good is seen as bad, almost as if people have blinders and can’t see what is important. Our explorations into space, while expensive, are very important. Sad.
This is so sad. Not only for us but the world like you said. I did a post about this a few months ago. My blood was boiling. Still is. ugh.
I still have a shuttle patch from STS-6, from when my parents took me down to watch a shuttle launch as a kid.
I will remember that always.
RT- Well said, and I agree completely!
Peedee- I remember, and I’m there with ya.
CS- I think we ‘all’ have certain things we remember about the space program…
I kick myself for growing up not paying attention to much of that, being a kid, it just didn’t seem important when you had a new model to build.
So much that I could’t have fathomed at that age, and later when I could, there was only wonderment to the bravery and genius.
Dallas for a week. Meeting up with the girls. If you’re in the area, call me on the cell.
I remember lots about our space program, information filtered thru the experience of a wide-eyed kid. I was in grammar school when they started and in high school when Armstrong stepped off the ladder.
I think it’s time that we privatized lots of what we’re doing in space. There are three or four companies building rockets and trying to figure out how to slip the bonds of earth. I think that’s where our next space exploration efforts are properly focused.